Chapter six
Astrid
“Sorry I’m late.”
Grady is smiling from ear to ear as he watches Lilly dance around in front of the mirror in the dance studio. The parents have to watch from a separate waiting area because it prevents distractions for the girls, but you can still see what they’re learning through the glass.
“The class isn’t over yet. You’re fine.” He pulls me into his chest as we watch Lilly spin and smile. “She’s a natural, Astrid.”
“I know. I’m glad she enjoys it. Bentley has soccer and she has dance—something to keep them both busy.”
“And if the boys win tomorrow, they play in the championship game next week, right?”
I blow out a breath just thinking about how busy life is right now. “Right.”
Bentley comes up behind me and wraps his arm around my waist on my free side. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, kiddo.” I welcome this rare initiation of affection. “How was your day?”
He shrugs. “I hate school.”
“What happened?”
Pushing himself from me, he heads back to his chair with no reply. Great.
“He’s been in a mood since I picked him up from Mom,” Grady mutters in my ear.
“I wonder what happened?”
“He’ll talk to you about it when he’s ready,” Grady says nonchalantly as the dance class ends.
Easy for him to say as the uncle and not the default parent, the one who worries at all hours of the day that I’m not present enough to know what’s going on with my kid.
We wait for Lilly to grab her things, listen to her teacher remind us for the hundredth time about the Christmas recital in December, and then head out to the parking lot together.
“Grady! Grady!” A female voice calls out to us just before we arrive at our cars.
My brother turns around and winces when he sees who’s trying to get his attention. “Oh. Hello, Miranda.”
Miranda Thorn brushes her long, blonde hair from her shoulder, which exposes her cleavage even more. She’s recently divorced, and it looks like she’s trying to let everyone in the vicinity know that she’s available. “I wanted to catch you before you left.”
“Well, here I am.” Grady waves awkwardly as I usher the kids into the car. Thank God they can buckle themselves in now so I don’t have to miss this.
“I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you,” she croons, twirling her finger around her hair. I cover my mouth to keep myself from laughing out loud. This must be what he was talking about earlier this week—the blatant flirting.
“Funny because it was just yesterday when you came by so I could put air in your tires.”
“Huh. Well, it feels like forever.”
Grady takes a step back. “Well, it was good to see you…”
“Are you seeing anyone?” she asks blatantly, surprising us both.
“Uh…”
“Because I would love to go out with you sometime.” She bites her bottom lip and bounces her eyebrows. “I think we could have a lot of fun. Talk about baseball, how you used to be famous…”
I can’t help it. I snort. “Sorry,” I say as I turn my back to them.
“Uh, I actually am seeing someone, Miranda, so…” Liar, liar, pants on fire, big brother.
“Oh.” Her smile drops but she recovers nicely as I turn back around. “No worries. Say, do you know if Penn Sheppard is seeing anyone, then?”
My amusement from before instantly disappears. Grady looks over at me. “Uh…”
“Why do you ask?” I say, entering the conversation for the first time. I was enjoying being the spectator there for a minute, but now I feel the need to be involved.
“Come on, Astrid. You know how handsome the man is, and I’m a single woman”—she covers the side of her mouth and says with a wink—“with needs.”
I never understood the term cat fight until right now because I instantly want to claw this woman’s eyes out. “Actually, he just told me the other day that he doesn’t have time for a relationship, so…”
“That’s what all men say until they find the right woman.”
“Mom, I’m hungry!” Miranda’s daughter calls out to her from the window of her SUV, interrupting the conversation and it’s probably for the best.
“I’ll be right there!” Turning back to us, she looks me up and down, sizing up the competition I’m sure. “Penn just doesn’t realize what he needs yet.”
Grady grabs my arm, leading us back to our cars. “Have a good night, Miranda.”
She waves her fingers at us before spinning around, her hair flying through the air as she does. “Yeah. You too.”
When she gets far enough away, Grady lets out the breath he was holding. “Jesus Christ.”
I jut my thumb over my shoulder. “Is that what you deal with?”
He points to where Miranda went. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. See? Dating is a lost cause.”
I instantly think of my upcoming date with Dick and my stomach twists. “Yeah, I can see why.”
“Well, needless to say, I’m beat.” Grady leans down and kisses my cheek. “Have a good night, sis.”
“Yeah, you too. Thanks again for taking Lilly to dance.”
“Anytime.”
As I drive us home, eager for my dinner date with Willow later, I can’t get Miranda’s words out of my head.
“That’s what all men say until they find the right woman.”
Was she implying that she’s that woman for Penn?
And worse than that—what happens when Penn does find that woman?
Because I know that it can’t be me.
***
“God, I needed this.” I lift my wine glass to my lips and take a big drink, savoring the crisp Chardonnay before gulping it down.
“Well, I’m glad you could make time for us to catch up.
” Willow smiles at me from the other end of the couch.
It’s Friday night, we just got home from Lilly’s dance class, and my feet are throbbing, but at least I finally get a chance to relax after this crazy week.
When Willow texted me earlier today asking what I was up to tonight, I immediately invited her over for wine and pizza since I know Dallas is working at the restaurant and she’d be alone.
The kids are in their rooms entertaining themselves now so we can have some adult conversation.
“I know. I’ve been a horrible friend, but between the bakery and the kids, I don’t have much time for a social life right now.
It’s been a long, busy week and I’m ready for the weekend to get a bit of a break and catch up with laundry.
Tanya agreed to open the bakery on Saturday mornings so I can enjoy the day and go to Bentley’s soccer games without guilt. ”
Willow reaches for my foot and squeezes. “Oh, Astrid. I know. I was only joking with you, but I’m glad you’re learning to find balance already. It won’t always be this crazy, but in the beginning, your life will center around your business. That’s just the way it is.”
“It’s exhausting but exhilarating at the same time.
” I can’t help but smile. “I’m more tired than I’ve ever been, but I love knowing that the store is mine, that I get to make the decisions on what we sell, what it looks like, and everything in between.
I will say, though, that the adrenaline is definitely the only thing keeping me going right now. ”
“I can’t wait to see it when it’s all done. Did Penn say when he’d be finished?”
Just the mention of Penn makes my pulse spike. “Well, the new display cases just came in today, and he plans on installing them on Sunday since the bakery is closed that day. Then he plans on painting sometime this week and installing the new flooring next Friday night.”
“I can’t believe it’s almost done. And when’s the grand reopening?”
“I’m thinking in two weeks, just in time for the holidays.”
Willow perks up in her spot. “Oh, that reminds me. I sort of have a business opportunity for you.”
“Okay…” I take another sip of my wine, waiting for her to continue.
“So, one of my clients, Morgan Hotels, just opened a new hotel in Raleigh earlier this year. They throw a benefit every year to raise money for charity, and Wes Morgan, the owner, asked if I knew anyone who specialized in catering desserts in the area since they want to throw the event at their newest location.” My heart starts to beat more rapidly.
“I know that catering isn’t in the spectrum of your business right now, but I thought this could be a great way to get more eyes on the bakery and hopefully bring people into town.
” She shrugs as a million questions fill my mind.
“Would it just be dessert?”
“Yes. The dinner is always served at the hotel anyway, but they wanted some kind of sweet treat that was on brand that they could give as party favors to the guests, and a table filled with options for people to sample.”
“How many people?”
“Around five hundred.”
My eyes bug out. “Five hundred?”
Willow winces. “I know it’s a lot, especially right now. But again, I was just thinking about the advertising opportunity. I can’t help it. That’s immediately where my mind goes.”
Willow owns her own advertising firm back in D.C.
where she’s from. She recently stepped down as acting CEO when she moved to Carrington Cove full time about a month ago, trying to enjoy other aspects of her life and find a work-life balance.
But she’s still involved in many aspects of the company and she’s an investor in my bakery, so it doesn’t surprise me that she saw this opportunity and wanted to share it.
I just don’t know if I can handle this.
“You can’t do that on your own, Astrid. No way.”
A memory of Brandon flashes through my mind as soon as that self-doubt resurrects itself.
I start thinking about how crazy the next few months will be as the holidays approach, but determination rushes through me.
November and December were always the busiest time of year when Greg and Jenny owned the bakery, so I know what to expect at least a little bit, and November is already underway.
But knowing that Willow believes in me and I’ve already proven to myself that I’m capable of achieving my dreams, I straighten my spine and say, “I’m definitely interested. ”
Willow beams. “Really? Again, you can say no.”
“I’m sure. You’re right. It would be great exposure since a lot of tourists come from that area.”