22. Liz
LIZ
Being a business owner was a dream come true for me—but I’d underestimated how much stuff needed to be done. Even with my sexy lawyer taking care of all the permits, I still had a mile-long to-do list.
I was proud of the two hires I’d made: an assistant baker and a sales associate. Between the three of us, we could do a lot.
On a bright Sunday morning, one month after visiting the building for the first time, I was ready for a trial run.
I’d visited Helen early in the morning with a strudel recipe I’d perfected, and she loved it.
I was so excited to add that to my menu.
I was officially opening on Monday, and I was seriously ready to kick some major ass.
Helen was so supportive. I’d been bringing her treats the last month because I was trying out new recipes, and there was nothing she didn’t like. The woman did have a major sweet tooth.
I stood outside the bakery, filming the sign and storefront for my parents through our video chat. It was called Sweet Treats. The name was written in cursive white letters against a pink background.
Pressing down on the brass door handle, I stepped inside.
The bakery was tiny. Customers could pick up their order at the counter; there was no space for tables.
The display was organized in straight lines, so they could see the offerings at a glance.
Behind the counter were several appliances as well as the workstations.
In the back, I had a workroom with appliances, a supply room, and a bathroom for employees only.
I’d cleaned everything thoroughly and decorated it to my taste.
The floor tiles, backsplash, and walls were white, and I’d decorated with colorful cups throughout, and posters with feel-good quotes.
My favorite was “ The world belongs to those who enjoy it .” All the posters mirrored my brand—the writing was in cursive white with pink background.
I’d also changed the counter to a granite one, which went better with my color scheme.
It looked cozy and exactly the way I’d imagined it ever since I was a kid.
I also had menus and business cards sitting by the cash register for customers to share with family and friends. Word of mouth was one of the best ways to build your business.
"What do you think?"
"Honey, we are so proud of you," Mom said.
"Yeah, we are," Dad chimed in. "You've made it, baby girl."
"It’s the start of the journey," I told them.
"Don’t downplay it," Dad said. "You set a goal for yourself to open the bakery within a year, and you’re only at the nine-month mark. Be proud. You deserve it!"
"That's right," I said. "So I’ve actually exceeded my expectations."
We laughed, as I still needed to make a profit, and that was going to take a bit of time.
"When do you plan to open?" Dad asked.
"Tomorrow. I'm going to spend today baking some new recipes just to get more comfortable with how things work, and tomorrow, I'll be ready to go. My assistant and sales associate will start then too."
"I wish we could be there, honey,” Mom said.
None of them could get time off work.
"Don't worry," I said, even though my chest ached.
I too wished everyone could be there. "We can do a group Zoom.
" We sometimes did that, especially when Mom came up with some new recipe or idea, and we would chat like that for hours.
It felt like we were all together… separately. "I've got to go. Declan is calling."
"Sure. Give him our best."
"I will." I hung up and immediately answered his call.
"Hello, sexiest lawyer alive."
He laughed. "Is that a thing?"
"I don't know if there’s a list, but they should make one. You'd be number one. Actually, come to think of it, that’s a terrible idea. Everyone would see how hot you are, and you’re all mine.” I giggled. “So, why are you calling?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"Sure."
"My uncle became a father again. We got the news just now that the baby was born.”
“Congrats!”
“Anyway, Gran is a bit beside herself. She wanted to jump on the first plane, but my uncle asked her to wait a couple weeks.”
“Aww, I can sort of understand both sides. When my niece was born, I went home on the first bus. My sister was happy to see me, but she also had her hands full with Amy and kind of wanted privacy.”
"Gran is spending the day with Paisley, but Tate and I talked. It would be good for them to do something different than hanging around at Tate's house or going to the lake, and I was thinking, what if they hung around your bakery?"
I grinned from ear to ear, nodding, and then realized he wasn't able to see me. "Sure. They can definitely come here. I'm going to start the ovens and bake the whole day. They're welcome to join me."
"Thanks, Liz. I'll let them know."
"And obviously you can come too if you want."
"I've got a lot of things to go through today, but otherwise you know I would." His voice sounded a bit off. I bit my lip.
"Oh, okay." Well, damn. I’d hoped I would get to enjoy this with him, but maybe another time. Of course he was busy. His meeting with Malcolm was on Tuesday, and I knew he needed to prepare.
"I'll tell them, and I guess they'll probably be there in an hour."
"Great," I said, excited to see them both.
After hanging up, I started my music routine, the one that always drove Declan nuts. I’d already deep-cleaned the whole place and arranged all the supplies I got yesterday. I wanted to wipe the floors one more time before I started baking.
Glancing out the window, my face exploded in a grin. Chicago was bustling with people even on a Sunday morning. This really was the perfect spot. I noticed a few passersby peeking inside, even though the sign on the front door still said “Closed.” I waved at them, mouthing, “I open tomorrow.”
I couldn’t wait for my grand opening. I was so pumped.
Turning up the music, I wiped the floors while singing at the top of my lungs.
I had my own bakery in Chicago. I couldn’t believe it.
I was so lost in what I was doing that I didn't realize I had company until someone knocked at the door. Turning around, I noticed Gran and Paisley outside. I hurried to them, unlocking the door and opening it.
"Hi," I said as they stepped inside.
"Hey, Liz," Gran said. “This looks wonderful!”
"Hi," Paisley exclaimed, looking around excitedly. "I think it's amazing!"
"Thanks. Want me to give you a tour?" I offered.
"Sure," Gran said, whistling as she took everything in. “Liz, dear, you’ve outdone yourself!”
"I wiped the floors, and they’re still a bit wet, so be careful."
"We don't want to get in your way," Gran told me.
"Nonsense. You're not. And by the way, congratulations. I heard you’re a grandmother again."
“Yes I am. Can you believe it?” Her eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I bet you can’t. What’s her name?”
“Alma. Isn’t that lovely?”
"Yes it is.” An idea came to me. “Do you like to bake?"
"I love to. Used to do a lot of it back in the day," Gran said.
"That's perfect, because I’m doing another test run for the oven and the appliances. I want to confirm temperatures and baking times so I’m ready for customers tomorrow."
Gran nodded. "That’s smart."
“Want to bake with me?” I asked them.
“Yessssssss,” Paisley exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Gran beamed. “Just tell us what you want us to do.”
"Paisley, want to help me bring out the supplies from the cupboard?" I asked.
"Sure. Does this mean I can come here and buy sweets anytime?"
“Umm…,” I said, unsure how to reply. I was pretty sure the answer was no. "We’ll ask your parents.”
Paisley averted her gaze, and that was my cue that I was on to something.
"Put me to work," Gran said. "This is your kitchen, and I know better than to take the initiative. Just give me instructions, and I'll follow."
"Sounds good. Let me get the ingredients first.”
Paisley and I both went in the back. "You'd better pull your hair in a ponytail or it’ll get full of flour," I said, holding up my wrist. "You can take one from here. I always keep them on hand."
"Oooh, cool idea. I always lose mine. May I have the pink one?"
"Sure.” Once she had her hair situated, I quietly asked, "Is Gran okay?"
"She's a bit upset because she's not sure my great-uncle wants her to go to London."
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"I eavesdrop a lot," she said, making me laugh.
"And Gran loves baking?" I double-checked to make sure she wasn’t just trying to be nice.
"She loves it."
"Oh, good. I was afraid I sort of ambushed her.”
"She makes an amazing apple tart."
"Hmm, that would have been a great idea. I don't have apples, but we’ll bake plenty of other things today."
"I'm glad I came here," Paisley said. "It was my uncle Declan's idea. He said something about you being able to make everyone light up."
"He said that about me, huh?"
I was giddy with happiness, grateful I had such an impact on him. I filled two baskets with supplies, putting the lighter items in Paisley’s, and we returned to the front.
I had butter and eggs in the fridge, and my measuring cups were already out on the counter. Gran was nodding appreciatively at the scale.
“Can I measure the ingredients?” she asked.
“Sure. Let me take out the flour and the cocoa. We’re making brownies, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a coffee cake.”
She lit up. “Sounds like a plan, girl. Do you have any apples? I make a mean apple tart.”
“Paisley already told me about your tart, but unfortunately I don’t.”
“Doesn’t matter. We have enough to do. Where do we start?”
She already seemed to be happier. Baking was magic like that.
Even when your world spun around, something about baking centered you.
Whether it was because you were following the steps or just the physical act itself, in the end, you had a perfect product.
I wished more people took it up as a hobby.
I explained the order of the steps and how much we needed of each ingredient, then started the oven so it was ready when we were.
I chuckled when I noticed that Gran measured everything twice.
"What?" she asked.
“Declan wanted me to double-measure everything too when we baked brownies.”
She blinked several times, looking at Paisley and then back at me.
"My grandson baked brownies?"
"Um… yes," I said, feeling like I was under a magnifying glass. "He had a hard day, and I thought it would help relax him. I think it did."
"How did they turn out?" Paisley asked.
I blushed at the memory. Oh goodness. I couldn't tell them that we never managed to finish them.
"He did well," was all I said.
"You're good for my grandson," Gran murmured.
"Thanks," I said. "So, did he learn his measuring practice from you?"
"Possibly," Gran said. "He was always conscientious, even as a kid. Always making sure everything was perfect, just the way he wanted. He’s a perfectionist. And I thought because he was the oldest, he also tried to control the others, who seemed intent on giving everyone white hair. The group needed someone to be levelheaded and in charge, and he took that role without even noticing.” She paused with such love in her eyes that it made me happy too.
“Declan tells me that you miss your family.”
"I do," I said, pressing a hand to my chest. I felt an ache there just talking about them. "They’re great, and I miss them terribly, but I knew I had to move to the city for my bakery. Our small town already has two, and that’s more than enough. Its population is just shy of 1500. So here I am."
"You're a determined woman. I like that about you.”
“You kick ass," Paisley said.
Gran narrowed her eyes at her granddaughter. "Young lady, do I have to start a swear jar for you already? You are ten . Your uncles all started when they were twelve."
Paisley pressed her lips together, clearly trying to hold back a smile. "No, Gran. I'm on my best behavior, I promise."
"Let's do our tasks. I am in charge of the eggs, and Gran is measuring everything. Paisley, can you fill this cup with water?"
"Hey. I'm ten. I can do more than that."
"Don’t worry, you’ll get to do plenty of things, but start with this. Let's get to work."
Six hours later, we had two batches each of brownies and cupcakes, as well as two coffee cakes and chocolate chip cookies. I was very happy with my ovens and the appliances, as everything turned out great.
Paisley was taking pictures of everything. I’d sent a few to Declan and my family as well since they couldn’t be here.
“This is gonna be epic,” she said.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing, I was talking to myself.”
“I do that sometimes too. But you look like you’re hiding something.”
Paisley glanced at Gran. When I turned to look at her, Gran averted her gaze.
Wow, really? “What’s happening?” I asked.
“We have all these goodies here, and it’s just the three of us,” Gran said, sounding a bit too innocent.
“We sent some pictures to the whole family, and now they’re on their way,” Paisley explained.
“What? They’re coming to the bakery?”
“Yes, they are, girl,” Gran said. “Declan won’t be too impressed. He was rather hoping to surprise you. I guess we spoiled that.”
“He was?” I said, putting one hand on my hip and running the other over my hair before realizing I still had some flour in it.
Oh great. I bet I look fantastic.
“He didn’t tell me he planned to come.”
Gran chuckled. “Of course not. Like I said, he wanted to surprise you.”