Chapter 26 Lily
LILY
“Tiffany, I don’t want you to worry about me and the café. Focus on Jack.” I held up my phone with my shoulder as I cleaned the espresso machine later that same day.
Tiffany had to rush out after getting a call from Jack and Maddie’s school that her son had a fever and wasn’t feeling well. She left to go pick him up and called me with an update as soon as she got home.
Purrfect Blend was closed for the day, but with Tiffany leaving quickly, Gabe stuck around to help. It was only us in the café.
“You should also take tomorrow off to be with him,” I added. Tomorrow was the last day of school before the kids’ winter break, and I didn’t want Tiffany to worry about scheduling child care to come into the store.
“But I know how busy this time of year is, and you just hired me.”
I stopped what I was doing as soon as I heard the stress in her voice.
I leaned my hip against the counter and repositioned my phone so I was holding it.
“Things happen, and your family comes first. Always. Whether I’ve recently hired you or we’ve been working together for years, I never want you to feel like you have to choose between this job or being there for your kids.
Yes, it’s a busy time, but I’ll figure it out.
Please don’t worry about it, and take the time you need.
Besides,” I said as I walked over to the tablet to check the number of orders, “I’ve handled the holidays on my own before. It’ll be a breeze.”
My eyes scanned the tablet screen, and as soon as I saw the number of orders placed for the holidays, my mouth went dry.
This number was double what I typically took, which made sense given that I had planned on Tiffany’s help.
Still, I didn’t want to worry her. I meant what I said earlier—I didn’t want her to feel guilty for prioritizing her family.
“You’re the best, Lily. I really appreciate it. I’ll keep you posted on how he’s feeling and if my husband might be able to stay with him.”
“That sounds great. Talk to you soon, Tiffany.”
I ended the call and set my phone on the counter. I looked at the tablet again, trying to convince myself that I’d seen the wrong number or I imagined something.
“Forty orders…” I said under my breath. I typically kept holiday pre-orders between fifteen to twenty customers, since people often ordered more than one item. I had a limited holiday menu that they were able to choose from, but still…
Forty was double the amount of customers I typically took on.
I felt my chest closing in on me, spots dancing in my vision. My palms got sweaty, and it suddenly started to feel like a million degrees in the café.
“Lily?” I could see Gabe out of the corner of my eye, but his voice felt far away.
“That’s…I can’t…” I shook my head, my vision getting blurry.
This was exactly why Hal didn’t want to sell the building to me. Because I could barely take care of the responsibilities I had, and I was so focused on growing the café that I didn’t have a backup plan if things went wrong.
“I’m right here, Sunshine. I got you.” His voice was slow and steady. It didn’t matter how many times I blinked—he wouldn’t come into focus.
Gabe untied my apron, lifting it over my head and setting it on the counter. The simple action made me feel slightly less claustrophobic in my own body.
He gently set his hands on my arms, guiding me around the counter to sit at one of the tables. Instead of pulling out the chair next to me, he kneeled in front of me. He reached over for my hand, taking it in his and holding on tightly, grounding me.
“I’m right here,” he repeated. “We’re in the café, and you’re safe. What can I do to help?”
I parted my lips, but no words came out.
“Take your time,” Gabe assured. His other hand wrapped around mine, and he squeezed gently. “Breathe with me.”
I nodded and took a deep inhale, slowly letting it go. I repeated the action and used the time to gather my thoughts and slow my heart rate down.
“I…I saw the number of Christmas orders and got really freaked out, because I don’t know if I can fulfill them all,” I admitted, my voice not sounding like my own. “And I don’t want to stress Tiffany out when Jack isn’t feeling well.”
“Let’s see what we can do and figure it out together. What’s stressing you out the most?”
“I shouldn’t have doubled the number of orders during the first season I had help. That was so irresponsible of me not to have a backup plan. I also didn’t expect that we actually would double the orders. Why would so many people want to order from me?”
“Lily,” he said with a laugh. “You’re the most talented baker in the area—I’d even go so far to say the state.”
I rolled my eyes, but he continued.
“Of course, people want to order from you. People are willing to drive to Golden Falls for your baking.”
“No way.” I was a no-name baker in a small town with limited training. There were so many other bakers who were more skilled than me.
As if he heard my inner thoughts, Gabe gave me a pointed look. “Yes, really. Stop doubting yourself. You’re talented and skilled at what you do. Don’t diminish that.”
I was speechless again, but this time it wasn’t from my stress or panic. It was from Gabe’s compliment.
My lips rolled together, and I nodded. “Thank you.” My voice was quiet.
I realized he’d let go of my hands. Instead, his large palms were splayed on the sides of my thighs.
Now, my throat was dry for a whole other reason as I thought about him moving his hands up to my hips to grip them tightly.
If I moved my hands—which were tightly gripping the side of the chair—to his broad shoulders. Or maybe to tangle in his hair.
I gripped the chair even tighter, my knuckles turning white. I needed something to keep me from reaching out.
“Okay, so, double orders.” Gabe got back to the task at hand.
“Usually, you’re handling them on your own, right?
Depending on if Jack feels better, maybe Tiffany will be able to help.
If not, you have me to help. I can’t say baking is my specialty, but I’m sure there’s other things I can help with to make things go smoothly.
We can also recruit your mom to help with baking?
I’m sure Eliza and Jules would be willing to help.
Your brother and dad, too. Hell, I think if I went outside and asked literally anyone walking by, they would be willing to help you. You have this whole town on your side.”
“I just…I don’t really like asking my friends and family for help when it comes to the café,” I admitted.
It was my first time saying this out loud.
“Having my mom come in when it was busy already felt like a big ask to me. I don’t want them to think I can’t do this on my own.
To think I made a mistake or that I can’t handle it. ”
I did my best to focus on the conversation, but it was challenging when his thumb ran small circles over my jeans.
“I haven’t been here all that long, but I can safely say no one thinks that.”
“But what about Hal? Isn’t that the reason we’re in this mess?” I raised my hand to gesture to the café.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking—I don’t think anyone does—but I think part of it is he wants you to realize you can ask for help…and that you should when you need it. Hiring Tiffany was a big step. Look at how much more you’ve been able to get done over the last few weeks with her help.”
I tilted my head. Gabe made a good point—and it was a good reminder, too. Asking for help didn’t make me weak, and it didn’t show that I couldn’t run my café. It made me more responsible. It showed how many people I had in my corner. How many people wanted to see me succeed—and help me get there.
“How do you know just the right thing to say?”
A low, derisive laugh escaped him. He averted his gaze before speaking, his eyes focused on the café wall. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.”
“I’m glad I could be the first.”
His eyes met mine again, and I could have sworn he leaned forward the smallest amount. I nearly closed the distance, unable to handle the tension in the air.
Then his phone rang.
Gabe moved his hands from my thighs and reached into his pocket to pull his phone out. He tilted the phone away from me, but not before I saw the name Ron Nelson flash on the screen.
“I should, uh”—he cleared his throat—“I should take this.” He stood, about to walk away, but paused. “Are you okay? Feeling better?”
A part of me wanted to lie, to keep him in this moment with me a little longer. But I didn’t. I smiled softly up at him, nodding. “I’m feeling better, yeah. Thanks again for what you said.”
“I meant every word.”
With how his feet were glued to the floor, I thought maybe he’d stay.
But when his phone rang again, Gabe grabbed his backpack and answered it without hesitation this time.
I tried not to think about how my heart dropped at the sight of him leaving the café with his shoulders slumped and head hanging low.
When I got back to my apartment that evening, I was doing my best to focus on Gabe’s assurance. I’d already texted my mom, Jules, and Eliza. And I knew I had other people in my corner, too, if need be. I texted Tiffany to reassure her that everything would be fine.
It was all going to be okay. Which was exactly why I was trying to relax tonight by watching Home Alone.
I was lying on the couch, with one leg hanging off and my head turned sideways toward the television.
Bandit was curled up on my chest, purring, while Sylvie roamed by the food bowls, acting like she hadn’t been fed in days.
When, in reality, she ate half an hour ago.
Sylvie lifted her head when a very particular pattern was knocked on the door, letting me know Eliza was on the other side.
“I’m sorry, but I need to get up.” I scooped Bandit and set him on a blanket on the other end of the couch, where he promptly curled up and resumed his nap. I paused the movie and walked to the door, grinning when I saw Eliza on the other side. “What’s up?”
“Wanted to make sure you were okay. Your text sounded…panicked.” She narrowed her eyes at me, as if trying to get a sense of how I was feeling. Whatever she saw in my expression caused her shoulders to visibly relax, and the worry eased from her face. “You’re feeling better about it all?”
I nodded to confirm. “I am. Gabe reassured me and reminded me that I don’t have to do it all alone, which sounds obvious, but…”
“But you need that reminder pretty often,” Eliza said with a laugh.
Once she walked in, I closed the door and followed her to the kitchen, where she opened the fridge and grabbed a sparkling water. I took a seat on the stool next to the island. Memories of Gabe being in my apartment flooded my brain, especially our practice kiss.
“How are things going with Gabe and your list?”
“Huh?” I returned my attention to Eliza, who was standing on the other side of the island, sipping her sparkling water and staring at me. “The kiss?”
Eliza grinned. “I asked how things are going with Gabe and your list, but I see where your mind is at.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother arguing with her since she was right. “Things are going well, and I’m realizing that I really like spending time with him,” I admitted on a sigh.
“You like him,” Eliza said matter-of-factly.
I rolled my lips, not ready to say those words out loud yet.
Instead, I settled on, “It doesn’t matter if I do or not.
There’s so many reasons why this would never work, starting with the building.
I might’ve been wrong about him at the start, but that doesn’t change that we both want the same thing and only one of us is going to get it. ”
Eliza listened carefully, nodding. She let out a sigh. “Well, the sooner you get done with the list, the sooner he’s out of town. Then you don’t have to worry about how you feel about him.”
If it wasn’t for the pit in my stomach, I likely would’ve laughed, because that was such an Eliza answer.
Except all I could focus on was that I was worried about how I felt about him.
My feelings for him were completely different than when he first got to town, and I couldn’t wrap my head around how much had changed in such a short amount of time.
Eliza watched me, and I could tell she was ready to say more, but she decided to drop it. She exhaled and offered me a smile instead. “Be careful, okay?”
“I will,” I promised her. “It’ll all work out.”
I wasn’t sure if I was convincing her or myself. Either way, I hoped I was right.