Chapter 21
HOLLY
The last of the holiday rush between Christmas and New Year’s has me a bit on edge. Blissful Bites is behind on orders and there are fires to put out from when I was gone. The first day back after I drop Leo off at his college campus, I don’t stop moving longer than thirty seconds all day.
I’m truly grateful for Leta and my siblings’ extra help covering the bakery on short notice while I was snowed in, and to thank them I paid them all bonuses on top of their paychecks.
As I get back into my routine, I’m finding things taking me longer than usual when supplies are out of place, ingredients haven’t been replenished, and the shop is slammed with customers out enjoying the holidays in Mayfield’s historic shopping district.
The goal is to reorganize the bakery, catch up on the orders waiting in the queue, and have my shop running in smooth order once again by the end of the day.
Oh, and remember to feed myself somewhere in the spare moments between.
Leo’s off for the rest of the week, enjoying what’s left of his winter break from college, and Hazel’s home in Candlewood. Leta’s on vacation with her family, so I’m the only one here.
The challenge doesn’t intimidate me. I’ll just have to work harder.
I’m accustomed to handling most things on my own. I used to believe it was faster if I shouldered everything myself. I’d always think, if I could figure out how to multiply myself, I’d be set for life.
At some point, it grew more challenging to count on others, instilling a strong sense that I’m being a burden to people if I can’t do something on my own without them.
I don’t want to delegate and explain every little thing I need done. But…it would be nice if I could.
According to Leo, the standards I set for myself are considered high and unrealistic whenever I remind him how I like things to be packaged.
And maybe that’s my problem with knowing when I can’t do it all by myself. I put these rigid expectations on myself and fear what happens when I don’t achieve them.
I can’t go on like this forever, or I’ll skate too close to running myself into the ground.
The tight way I grip the reins of control now that I’m in my usual routine makes me starkly aware of how much better things were for me tucked away at the cabin when I had Caleb to rely on.
With him, I never feel like I’d be troubling him if I reached out. It’s the complete opposite.
It was so nice to have someone who sensed whatever I might want before I voiced it. He took care of me in a way I’ve never been looked after before.
He’s the one I need to remind me he’s there to catch me when my independent nature finally exhausts me.
Unfortunately, I can’t expect to have him here all the time. But thanks to him, I’m starting to see I should learn to be better about realizing I sometimes require support from others without my irrational worry of pushing my problems onto them.
These old habits of mine are tough to break.
Once I’m immersed in work, I take on more and more until I overload myself, determined to handle it all.
I hope I don’t come off a little unhinged in front of my customers.
Between putting batches of treats in the oven, setting timers, and working the counter with a dazzling smile—all while whispering to myself to keep track of my to-do list so I don’t forget a thing—I’m a human whirlwind decked out in pink.
It’s worth every second of madness when I see people enjoying my baked goods and hanging out in my homey, comforting space. Watching their expressions light up at the treats I’ve lovingly baked is everything to me.
It never gets old and never fails to brighten my spirits. From the time I taught myself to bake and first saw my younger siblings enjoying what I made to now running my shop, it warms my heart. I love what I do.
By the end of the day, I’ve made a good dent in what I have left for the New Year’s Eve party cookie order, rearranged my restocked ingredient shelf so my most-used things are back in place, and I sold out of everything I made for the day.
I still have to catch up on other orders that have piled up, but I extinguished the most pressing fires.
I’m about to fall asleep on my aching feet, but I did it. A tired, successful smile tugs at my lips.
Once I lock up the front of the shop, I trudge to the back with a yawn, gathering my things to head home for the night.
A steaming mug of hot chocolate, a holiday movie marathon, and a kiss from the most handsome hockey player I know would fix me. I just know it would.
At least the first two are in my immediate future as soon as I go up to my apartment above the shop and take the hottest, most luxurious shower of my life to wash away my stress. I text Caleb before I leave the bakery.
Holly
Longest day ever is over. I got so much done! Time for fuzzy slippers.
Caleb
I’m proud of you, sugar. Sounds like you’ve earned a massage.
Holly
Oh my god, that sounds so nice. A massage might bring me back to life right now.
Caleb
You don’t have to ask. My hands are all yours.
Holly
I’m going up to my apartment to take a shower, but I’ll call you after if you’re not asleep yet.
When I exit into the alley behind the block of shops, I halt in my tracks.
Caleb’s crouched to pet one of the cats Marjorie, the bookstore owner, feeds. He tilts his head and gives me a charming dimpled smile.
“Hi beautiful,” he murmurs.
“Wait—I thought you went back to your hotel after touring the practice rink for the Mavs.” I glance from my phone to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you. I came to make sure you get home safe.”
A warm glow fills me from within at his heartfelt tone and expression.
“I don’t have far to go. You want to walk me upstairs?” I tease.
“I want you,” he replies.
I can’t help the grin that breaks free when he gathers me in his strong arms and presses me against the building for a sweeping kiss.
All my stress melts away once I’m in his embrace. I worry too much when I’m left to my own thoughts, but when he holds me I no longer feel the weight of everything I carry.
I sigh, grazing my nose against his. “I don’t do well with surprises from others. But from my boyfriend? I understand the appeal.”
“Call me your boyfriend again. I like the sound of it,” he rasps.
I suppress a shiver. “I think I like having you waiting for me after work.”
“Yeah? That’s good. You should get used to it.” His lips brush mine again.
“Ah, but if I do, how will I survive without it when you’re on the road for away games?” I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “Cake. Cake makes everything better. And I suppose I have my vibrator to keep me company whenever you’re gone.”
He buries his face in my neck with a smoky rumble. “I’m going to buy you one of those ones for couples to use over long distances. It doesn’t matter where I am, I’ll always make you come.”
I bite my lip, tipping my head back to give him better access. My breath hitches as his hands wander beneath my sweater. Since I live above the shop, I don’t bother with a coat.
“If you don’t take me home, we’re going to scandalize the other shopkeepers and Marjorie’s cat army,” I warn.
“You’re too hard to resist,” he protests against my skin.
I giggle, pushing against his chest. He straightens, cupping my cheek and flashing me a wry tilt of his mouth.
“Can I walk you home?” he offers.
“Please. Will you stay the night?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.”
His hand rests on my lower back and he takes my overstuffed tote bag from me, eyeing the keychain clipped to the handle with my bakery keys, apartment key, and an assortment of plushie charms with a twitch of his lips.
Upstairs in my apartment, he tugs me down next to him on the couch. I curl against his side, humming with gratitude as he pulls my feet in his lap and makes good on his massage offer.
“This beats the hotel room any day,” he says.
“Did you find any nice places when you drove around this morning?” I ask.
“I did. It’s near here. Nice neighborhood.” He winks.
“Oh, I think I’m getting a new neighbor. Marjorie came by for her afternoon treat and said someone wanted to lease the empty place above her bookstore. They move in this weekend, apparently.”
His mouth spreads into a grin. I incline my head, squinting as he grows more amused and proud of himself. There’s no way he means he’s the one who—?
Chuckling, he kisses the top of my head. “Meet your new neighbor, sugar cookie. I wanted to be as close to you as possible. Just my luck the place next door was available, right?”
“You’re ridiculous.” I shake my head, cheeks aching with the strength of my smile.
“Yeah, but you like it,” he reminds me.
“I do, don’t I?” I snuggle against him.
“That’s right, baby.”
As we spend the night laughing and cuddling on the couch, I’ve found my new perfect snow globe for the two of us to exist in.