Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Sighing, I got to work, measuring, mixing, and baking. I slid the first batch into the oven and prepped the second batch. I checked the time, shaking my head. I was slow tonight, and I would be here late. I went to the front and checked the book where Mike kept the outside cake orders. Unable to help myself, I checked the older ones, seeing the big burst in sales had been because of Ronan. ABC Corp and BAM had bought a lot of cakes the past few weeks, although there were a few other orders. There was an order from ABC for Friday, and I assumed Ronan hadn’t gotten around to canceling it yet, but I was sure he would. Except his love of the cakes was real, and perhaps he still planned on ordering them. I shut the book, half tempted to tell Mike the cakes weren’t available to anyone at ABC, but I resisted. The extra money let me buy Evan new sneakers and jeans. He was outgrowing his pants and shoes fast these days, and I didn’t want him to wear ill-fitting clothes. I knew he already had enough to contend with at school without giving the kids more ammunition.
It was past two when I left the diner. It was cool with a slight drizzle outside, and I shivered. Outside, a car waited, its engine running. For a moment, my heart was in my throat, thinking it was Ronan, but an older man climbed out of the driver’s seat.
“Beth Jones?”
“Yes?” I responded apprehensively.
“I’m Wayne. I was hired to drive you home.”
“Hired?” Suspicion clouded my mind. “By whom?”
“Mike Chalmers—your boss. Did he forget to tell you? He assured me he had texted you.”
I checked my phone, scrolling through messages. Sure enough, a text had come through a few hours ago from Mike that I had missed, telling me from now on I would get driven home on any night I stayed late to bake cakes and my driver’s name was Wayne. Why he had decided this, I had no idea, and I shook off my doubt—I was too tired to question it tonight.
“Great,” I said, smiling as he opened the back door. I slid into the warm car gratefully.
“Have you been waiting long?” I asked as he pulled away from the curb.
“I got here about one. I saw the lights on, so I knew you were there.”
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting. I had more cakes to make than usual.”
He waved off my concern. “I have coffee and puzzles. I’m used to it. I’ll give you my cell number, and you can call me tomorrow about half an hour before you’re ready to go.”
I hummed in agreement and watched as the streetlights flashed through the windows. I tucked my coat collar a little closer, fighting back the wave of disappointment. Of course Ronan wouldn’t be here to drive me home. I told him to stay away. That was what I wanted.
I ignored the little voice of disappointment in my head that questioned my decision.
* * *
It was Friday morning before Paige confronted me. Evan had left, Lucy was off to day care, and Paige sat across from me. “What’s going on?” she asked, her blue eyes concerned. “Don’t tell me you’re busy or studying too hard. Something is up.”
I looked at the table and my hands that seemed to tremble all the time. “Ronan,” I began, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat. “We’re done.”
She reached across the table and covered my hands. “Oh, sweetie. What happened?”
“He lied.”
“About?”
“Everything.” With a sigh, I told her what happened. By the end of my short story, she was shaking her head.
“He seemed so honest. So open.”
I laughed. “I know. And the bottom line is, I should have pushed more. Made him talk to me. But I let him divert my attention. I was nothing but a distraction.”
“Did he say that?”
“No. But it reeks of Carson. Rich family. Not being good enough,” I confessed.
“He never came across that way. But I’m sorry he hurt you.”
I wiped at the tears that kept coming, no matter how hard I tried to stop them.
“You miss him.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll get over it.”
“He meant something to you.”
“Yes, he did. But if I can’t trust him, it means nothing.”
“You don’t want to give him a chance to explain?”
“I’m not sure. I need time.”
“I get that. But think about it, Beth. You both seemed so happy. I can’t believe that wasn’t real—for either of you.”
“That’s why it hurts so much,” I admitted.
She stood and hugged me. “I know. I’m here if you need me. You should talk about it. About him. It might help.”
“Maybe in a couple of days.”
“Okay. I’m here anytime.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“Have you told Evan?”
“I will on Sunday. He is going to be upset. Lucy will too.”