After what feels like a lifetime, she lifts her head and meets my gaze. “I’ve found a buyer. They’re willing to pay double what it’s worth, but there is a time constraint.”
So that’s why she’s so eager to sell. The fact that the mystery buyer is willing to pay more than it’s worth and rush through the deal seems suspicious to me. Ivy is the one who deals with the money side of the business, so surely she would have looked into this? What she won’t have taken into account is that she doesn’t have the right to sell the bakery, not without my agreement, and I am not about to do that.
I know what I need to do. Plan resolute in my mind, I nod to myself. “Will you consider selling your share to me?”
Her brows raise on a shocked laugh. “Do you really think you could cope managing that whole place by yourself? Scratch that, do you even have the money?”
Her sheer lack of confidence in me is insulting but I refuse to let it show. Despite what she may think of me, I basically run theentire place alone anyway, and while the money side of things will be new to me, that is what accountants are for. I’m smart, I am sure I could pick it up quickly. In terms of buying Ivy’s share… that is the part that will be more difficult. She’s not told me how much money we are speaking about, so I can only guess at a figure. I have savings and some of my inheritance from when dad died, but I don’t think I’ll quite have enough. This doesn’t bother me, though; to save the bakery, I will find a way.
“That is not your concern.” Mirroring her position, I cross my arms over my chest. “Will you sell to me or not?”
All of her fight seems to drain away, her shoulders slumping forward. I’ve never seen her look so tired. “Is this really what you want?”
There is more going on here than meets the eye, but now is not the right time to go into it. My emotions are too mixed and any questions would just sound defensive.
“Yes.” Nodding, I wait for her response, noting a second large sigh as she stares into her coffee cup.
“Okay, I will speak to our solicitor and get the paperwork started.”
Relief floods me, tinged with uncertainty. She has agreed to sell to me, but there are many other obstacles than just the money side of things. I’m making the right choice… I think. This is a huge decision, but I won’t let my parents’ legacy just be sold off to the highest bidder.
“Thank you,” I say with as much dignity as I can muster and push away from the table, taking a smug pleasure in her expression of surprise.
“That’s it? You won’t enjoy a coffee with your sister?”
In previous interactions, I might have been convinced to stay and spend time listening to her stories of her wonderful life in the city. She has come a long way to see me, but this wholeconversation has thrown me and I need time to consider what has happened.
“Sorry,” I reply with a tight smile, pushing my chair back under the table. “I have a date to get ready for.”
NINETEEN
HOLLY
Ihave no idea what to wear. I know, it’s such a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I am fixating on it and it’s sending me into a spiral. Are we going to the club to dance and get a drink, or are we going for another, work-related reason? It’s difficult to know when your date owns the nightclub. It would be easy for me to overdress if we aren’t staying there, but turning up in jeans doesn’t seem appropriate either.
The way Clay looks at me suggests that I could go dressed in a plastic bag and he would still find me attractive, but I find myself wanting to look good for him. It was the same with Bear; usually I’m covered in flour and cake batter, caring little about my appearance. Now these guys have entered my life and I suddenly care that my hair looks nice and my clothes complement my body shape.
My phone rings from where I abandoned it on my bed in a nervous meltdown. Spinning on my heel, I lunge for it and whisper a prayer of thanks to the pastry gods as I see the name on the screen. Accepting the call, I press the mobile to my ear.
“What’s wrong? What’s the emergency?” Ashley’s concerned voice reaches me. She sounds battle ready and I know she would drop everything to help me.
“I’m going on a date with Clay and I don’t know what to wear.” The words come in a jumbled rush and I bite down on my lower lip as I wait for her reply.
There’s a heavy pause and I hear her exhale sharply. “Bitch, you texted me SOS!”
Okay, maybe I went a little overboard with my message, but I desperately need her help and it’s too late to take it back now.
“Because I amgoing on a date,” I emphasise the last words, knowing she will understand.
Before the guys moved in next door, I had only ever been on a date with Jake. For me to have gone on a date with Bear last night, and now for me to have a second date with an entirely different guy is a huge deal for me.
“Hmm, I see your point.” Ashley’s thoughtful hum reaches me through the phone and relief floods me, as I know she will help me. “Okay, fill me in.”
I tell her everything about the meeting with my sister and Clay asking me out. Of course, she grills me on what happened with Bear last night, squealing when I describe the kiss and what happened after. We talk through some of the clothing options, and eventually settle on a cute emerald-green summer dress I’ve been keeping for a special occasion. The colour has always suited me, my pale skin and golden locks enhanced by the colour.
Slipping it on, I stare at my reflection, running my hands down the floaty fabric of the skirt. It feels great, dropping almost all the way to the floor and swishing nicely as I walk. While it is one of my more casual summer dresses, it can be dressed up with jewellery and a set of heels. The sweetheart neckline makes my chest look great, and with off-the-shoulder floaty sleeves, it shows off my shape without baring all.
Happy with the overall look, I take a quick photo and send it over to Ashley to get her seal of approval. She replies almost immediately assuring me that I look ‘hot’. Smiling at the text,I put my phone away in my bag and glance over at the clock. My breath catches in my throat; he will be here any moment now. Nervous excitement causes butterflies in my stomach, anticipation making it impossible for me to stand still.