Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
This feels so surreal.
I stand in the middle of my shop, alone, holding the keys. I now own a bakery. It’s mine.
My eyes fill with tears, spilling over onto my cheeks, and I wipe them away. I notice an eyelash on my finger. Smiling, I say, “I wish for happiness.” And I blow the eyelash.
Crouching, I sit down on the concrete floor in a bare room and cry happy tears.
The only people I want to tell aren’t here. And I’ll never be able to tell them.
Jumping up, I grab my tote and my copies of the contract, shoving them in my bag. I beeline it for my car after locking the store.
The only place I know where to go is to the ocean.
I drive in silence, the ride feeling like it took no time.
Parking, I jump out and run to the back deck and down the stairs. My running flings sand all over my feet and calves, but I keep going until I’m at the shoreline.
I look out to the horizon. “I did it. I bought a bakery. And I’m staying here. I’m staying in Driftwood Bay,” I scream to the ocean, telling the waves so they can drift them out to my mom and dad. “And you knew I’d come home. Why didn’t you tell me about Bohdi and the bakery?” I question the waves.
My chest vibrates with my heartbeats, my hand shakes, excitement and fear coursing through the same veins.
“I think I can do this,” I tell them and myself, needing to hear those words. And right then, a huge wave breaks the surface, surging toward me and dissipating, the water washing over my toes.
Smiling, I say, “I love you both so much.”
Stepping foot back into the cottage, it all feels different from when I left. I don’t know how, but maybe because I took this tremendous leap, I know I’ll be here for a good while. I’m not leaving anytime soon…if at all.
I fall onto the sofa, curling onto my side. I get the scent of Bohdi, and my stomach flips.
Last night, I didn’t see that coming or ever happening.
But it did, and today I’m trying to digest it.
I can’t let my heart lead me; last time it did, I left for eight damn years.
I don’t know or understand what went on with Bohdi and me last night.
I enjoyed it; he felt like home. But I have so much more I have to focus on than getting into something.
Plus, he just broke off his engagement with Molly, and if I’m being truthful to myself, I feel like there is still something he hasn’t told me.
The Williams being in town will be the bane of my existence.
Driftwood Bay is little, but they never liked to rub elbows with the locals, so I’m hoping my run-ins with them are here and there.
Because I don’t know what I would do if I ran into Mrs. Williams. Learning what Bohdi told me, them being the people my father originally fought with when he was trying to buy August Cove, and here they are years later, trying to pull one over on his daughter, so they can finally have it.
It isn’t going to happen. I’d let August Cove and the cottage fall into the ocean before I sell it to someone like them.
Grabbing my phone, I go to Pinterest and look at the pins I have under my bakery folder I’ve been pinning for years.
Scrolling through them, clicking and swiping, I stop when a name pops into my head: Goose and Anchor Bakery.
A huge smile spreads across my lips. Loving it.
“Goose and Anchor. Welcome to Goose and Anchor Bakery.” I try it on my tongue and love the way it rolls off and also that no one will understand what it stands for, only those that truly know me.
A homage to my dad, but to August Cove anchoring me here and maybe… Bohdi, too.
Renaming my folder Goose and Anchor Bakery, I decided to pick a color. I want something beach vibe but also welcoming. Somewhere people can come and enjoy a sweet treat and families feel welcomed.
I lay there pinning and searching for hours, my eyes burning. Closing them, I guess I fall asleep when I jerk awake by my phone ringing. Squinting, I look at the screen and see Bay’s face. “Shit.”
Sitting up, “Hey Bay.” I hit the speakerphone.
“Umm, what are you doing?” She sounds confused.
“I fell asleep.” I yawn.
I hear laughter in the background and Baylee mumbling to who I know is Kai. “August, it’s six forty, did you forget about dinner?”
“Holy shit. No, I’m coming. I’ll be there in fifteen.” I don’t let her reply, just hang up.
Running to the bedroom closet, I pull out an old faithful, a sundress.
Slipping the floral cotton fabric on, I hurriedly spray myself with perfume, take one look in the mirror, let my hair out of the topknot, shake the wavy blackness out, and let it fall where it wants.
Not giving myself a second glance, I grab my tote and out the door in minutes.
“Why are you knocking?” Baylee stands in her doorway, looking like she wants to hit me.
Holding up my hand, I say, “Sorry.” I smile at her.
Bay pushes the door open wider, allowing me to enter. “Dinner is done. And you know Bohdi will be here.” She lifts her eyebrows up and down a few times.
Shaking my head, “I know. Let’s not make it awkward. It’s dinner.” Sweeping out my hand to let her lead the way, even though I know where I’m going.
I decided not to tell Baylee about last night with Bohdi. It’s better if it’s just between the two of us. Because who knows where this is going to lead; we’re not those kids any longer; we’ve both changed and grown. And that is something that needs to stay between us for now.
My hand flies to my mouth. “Baylee, this is beautiful,” I mumble behind my palm.
Her formal dining room is lit with candles; the chandelier hangs above, casting just enough light to transform the atmosphere.
Seashells and votive candles line the table down the middle, with baby's breath placed impeccably between the decor. It’s beautiful.
I just freeze, staring at it in awe.
“Do you like?” She beams.
Turning to her, I pull her into a hug. “This is absolutely beautiful. You didn’t have to do this; I know you’re sick. I rub her belly.”
“Nah, I just told Kai to tell you that so I could get everything prepped and done.” She squishes up her nose.
“Kia is out back grilling the steaks and shrimp. Baked potatoes are already done.” Clapping her hands, “Do you want some wine?”
“Yes, please.” I point to a chair.
“Girl, wherever you want to sit.”
I pick the closest one I’m to, sitting on the far side of the table. My nerves are a little fried thinking about Bohdi being at dinner too. I know from what Bay and Kai said that Bohdi really stepped away from the family.
A drink is placed in front of me. Bay smiles as she takes her seat to the left of me at the head of the table. “Kai is coming in now.”
I can’t help but look at my phone to check the time; it’s a little past seven. That means nothing, August, I try to tell myself.
Tentatively, I take a drink of my wine, knowing I need to pace myself, when Kai comes through the swinging door, holding two trays.
I can smell the steak before he even places them on the table. “Smells so good, Kai.” My stomach growls in agreement, pissed that there has been nothing in it today besides coffee.
Kai plates mine and Baylee’s steak and shrimp, setting Bay’s down in front of her, then mine. Coming back around with our baked potatoes already topped. “I know, no sour cream,” he says while sitting mine next to my other plate.
“Thank you.”
I look over and see there is an extra steak, potato, and shrimp… My mouth turns downward on its own. Hurriedly touching my phone screen, seeing that it is now seven fifteen. He’s fifteen minutes late.
Kai takes the other seat at the head of the table, his shoulders looking heavy. I don’t need him to voice what that was for; we were both looking forward to Bohdi being here tonight.
With his beer raised, “To August and her new bakery, back home where she’s meant to be,” Kai cheers.
We all three toast, and a tear comes to my eye.
“Thank you. You both make it so worth it.” I tell them truthfully.
Because if it weren’t for them, I don’t think I would have given this place a second thought when I came back.
And that gives me a little zing when I realize that I could have done this all differently and the outcome wouldn’t be me sitting here with them two and owning a bakery. I smile down at my plate.
Kai is the first one to cut into his steak, and I follow suit. If I said I wasn’t disappointed Bohdi didn’t come, I’d be lying. But I won’t voice that.
The steak is flavorful; the seasoning’s bursting in my mouth. My stomach is happily enjoying it.
We make small talk, not really speaking about the elephant in the room, until Baylee lays her knife and fork down, clenching it. “He’s an asshole. Just one big gaping asshole.”
I choke on the piece of shrimp I was swallowing. Coughing, not able to catch a breath, forcing water down my throat. Looking at Bay, eyes watering, finally not dying, I bust out laughing. “He really is, isn’t he?”
“I should have never invited him. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Maybe the high of the morning got to my head.” Kai tips back his beer can, draining it. Hiding his face.
“Look, it’s fine. We didn’t need him to come,” I tell them, but my head is screaming, you're a damn liar.
“This was such a perfect dinner. The food is amazing, and Baylee, this table is beautiful. You both made me feel special. And I want you two to be the first ones to know the name of the bakery.” I look between both of them, smiling.
“Yes,” Bay cries out, hands clapping
Taking the last sip of my wine, licking my lips of the taste, I say, “Goose and Anchor Bakery.” I can feel my face heating up, scared they’ll hate it.
“That’s perfect, August! Wait, I actually freaking love it.” Bay grins at me.
“Seriously, Aug, you couldn’t have picked a more perfect name. I’ll send you my sign guy's number, and you can get with him.” Kai crushes his beer can.
“Thank you. Both of you, thank you.”