“I’m making it my business. Even if I can’t make it, someone will be here looking out for you. Not to mention, my business isn’t really booming when the light is out, love. You good, I wouldn’t suggest something I couldn’t do.”
I reached to pay for the pastries, but by the time she tried to cancel it, the payment had already gone through. She let out a quiet breath.
“At least let me pay?—”
“Nah, but I’ll take a sweet or two.” I told her.
She gave me the vibe she wasn’t the type to accept a handout, and I respected that. But I wasn’t taking money from her—she could keep dreaming on that part. It was already bad enough I was letting her pay me in food. Still, I planned on slipping money into her tip jar when she wasn’t looking.
“Are you sure? You really don’t have to do this.”
I smiled, happy that she was seeing things my way.
“Positive. Now, where is that broom you were using as a stripper pole the other night?” I asked with a teasing smirk.
Solana’s mouth dropped open dramatically. “I was not!”
I laughed as she tossed the dry towel from the back counter at me. I caught it mid-air and followed behind her to the supply closet. I was going to enjoy every second of this.
THE NEXT DAY…
I decidedI would close the shop early every Wednesday. I considered it my mid-week reflection. A day I wanted to use as a reboot or to keep my energy high for the last few days of the week. It was something I learned to do when I was an actress. If you allowed it, being in that world would stress you the hell out.
It was a task on its own to be someone else when those cameras were rolling, then become yourself later on that night. At some point, you forgot who you truly were. I noticed as more time passed and with every role I accepted. The stalking didn’t help, but neither did the idea of being a sex symbol for the rest of my life. At some point, my mother’s cookbooks and journals weren’t working to remind me of who I really was.
That version of me didn’t exist anymore—and I was finally starting to understand why she had to go.
I pulled into the driveway of the Blooming, then parked in the back. Since opening Sugar Kissed, I hadn’t had much time to spend with Jessa or Aubree. Not to mention, I missed Miss Lottie; I needed one of her hugs. Once I parked, I walked over to the side door and used my key. Miss Lottie insisted I had one.
The smell of gravy and chicken met me right at the door. I stopped for a brief moment and did a little dance that I wouldn’t have to cook later. I took my time walking up the few steps before knocking on the door that led to the kitchen so I didn’t scare her. Then opened the door.
Miss Lottie turned towards the door as I opened it and smiled. She was wearing her favorite apron that read, The Baddest Cook in the Haven. According to Jessa, this was the apron they awarded her at a baking contest that was hosted here every summer.
“Hi honey! I’m glad you remembered the name of this place.” She announced.
I giggled and walked further into the kitchen to kiss her cheek. Then took a seat at the island while she continued to move around the kitchen.
“Oh, you know I could never forget you or this place. I needed my mid-week reboot. How has everything been around here?” I asked.
“You know not much has changed. It’s been a little slower lately. But, that’s okay for me, this injury is healing well too. Jessa has had her head in the clouds lately, but I like to give her space. I appreciate her just being here to help me, even though I told her she didn’t need to come.”
I nodded, understanding exactly where she was coming from. It reminded me of the conversation I’d had with Duke. He wouldn’t take no for an answer on helping me clean the bakery every night. I’d made sure to give him all the nasty duties with clean up last night, assuming he wouldn’t come back today. Onlyfor him to be there right on time, offering to help me clean up so I could get going.
I hated that I questioned what he was getting out of helping me. But that was the life I’d become accustomed to. I had to remind myself that things were done differently here in Rose Haven. I decided I would just assume it was coming from the kindness of his heart until proven otherwise.
Miss Lottie cleared her throat, causing me to look up in her direction.
“I’m sorry. I was thinking about the shop for a minute.”
She gave me a knowing smile for a moment before turning her back to me and placing the cornbread she had been mixing into the oven.
“So what’s this I hear about a certain biker being at your shop often?” she asked, with a lift of her brow.
I shook my head and chuckled. “I wonder where you heard that. Which biker are we referring to? I’ve had a few come into the shop since my shop is near Chrome.”
I tried to play oblivious. I knew it had to be that nosey granddaughter of hers telling my business.
“You know exactly which biker she is talking about and nope, it wasn’t me!” Jessa exclaimed, walking into the kitchen towards the fridge.