Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“That’s what I’m talking about. Well, how about we go pick a dress? Do you want to bring him to the barbeque?” Beth wags her brows up and down, grinning like a fool.
I look back at the salon, feeling like my chest is about to explode. “Do you think he’s going to bring Chrissy?” My voice shakes and gives me away. She doesn’t need to ask who because there’s only one person I could be talking about.
Beth grips my shoulders and hugs me. “No way. He’d be stupid to do that. She’s bedded like half the guys in town. It would be stupid to think that he’d be proud to bring her around his mother.” Yes. Mrs. Steele doesn’t like Chrissy at all. She gets her hair done by Maria, the other female stylist in town.
As we walk back to my car, I fight back the tears. My phone buzzes and it’s my mother, reminding me about the barbeque today and that I promised to help Penny at the bakery. “I have to go to the bakery so that everything is ready for today.”
“I can go with you.”
“You don’t have to. We still have to get dressed, and you take a lot longer than me.”
“Fine, but I’ll see you later, and remember—you have a date with Damon on Tuesday. That asshole can tag you, but it’s nothing but a pretty book. We can drive to Dallas and have it removed whenever you want,” she says.
“Yes, we can. That’s a great idea, and I should have done it two weeks ago.”
“That’s my girl.” She smacks my ass before giggling and hopping in. I walk around the front and make my way to her place, dropping her off first before hitting the bakery.
By the time I arrive, I’ve swallowed back the pain of this morning and I’m able to focus on my job. Okay, focus isn’t what I call it, it’s more about compartmentalizing my feelings. It’s how I’ve managed to get through the past year without Will. Putting my heart in a little box and hiding it away, so it doesn’t break. Now that it’s cracked in half, I need it there, locked away so I don’t shatter to pieces.
“There’s my favorite assistant. I’m so surprised you don’t want to be a baker because you’re so good at it.” I can smell the bullshit from the front door. I love Aunt Penny like everyone else, but I’m one of the few who offered to help.
“I’m hardly your favorite. You have Daisy, of course, and let’s not forget all of your other children. I’m just the one you conned into working today.”
“You got me there, but you’re one of my favorites.” She gives me a squeeze and then hooks her arm over my shoulder and walks me into the back. “You’re special, little Melanie. Come on, and let’s get this done before my husband comes hunting me down.” She laughs, and we get to baking for the next two hours.
I make it through the work at the bakery with the many treats for the celebration, including a large cake for Will. All the while, I fight the urge to vomit from the reminder of him and his special day. A celebration I thought I would be a big part of. Jackson comes in with a big grin, “Hello ladies, are you ready to take this stuff over there?” He gives his wife a huge smile.
“Give us a minute. The cake is ready, but it’s massive.”
“I’ll take it, beautiful. I don’t want our nephew’s cake ruined. Crystal will have my ass.” We laugh because she’ll tear him a new one. He pushes the cart out to his truck and then comes back in to get another stack of trays.
Penny walks up to me with a big smile and says, “You can go. We got the rest from here. Thank you so much for today. I can’t wait to see you later.” She hugs me and then I go in the back to take off my apron and get my things. Once I hit the outdoor air, I feel the Texas heat hit me and it’s almost as bad as working in the bakery kitchen all morning.
My phone rings just as I hit the remote start. I stand outside the car and pull it out of my pocket to see it’s Damon’s calling. It takes me a second while I debate if I should answer it and on the last ring, I do. “Hey, I’m just leaving the bakery. What’s going on?”
“I’m heading over to the barbeque today. Will I see you there?” he asks, sounding nervous, anxious. Nothing like the guy I’ve spoken to almost four times a week. Why is he acting shy? Does he really have feelings for me?
“You’re going?” I question, panic setting in. Honestly, I’m not ready to start dating even though I’m so done with Will.