Page 28 of The Sweetest Ingredient

“Nah.” Bree lightly smacked my arm.

“You know what? I think I enjoy baking as much as I love reading Jane Austen.” From the cooling rack, I transferred several cookies to a plate. “Okay, Bree.” I set the plate on the table. “Get ready to taste the best cookies we’ve ever made.”

We each seized a cookie, still warm and gooey, and took a big bite.

“Kenzi, these are amazing,” Bree said, around a mouth full of cookie.

I savored the taste. “Yeah, they’re pretty good.”

Bree grinned. “We should send a batch of cookies to the landlord to say sorry for being late on the rent once we’re caught up.”

“Good idea.” I patted her shoulder. “Thanks for having faith in me.”

“That’s what sisters are for.” She pulled me in for a hug. “I’ll always be here for you, Kenzi. You’re my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister.” I laughed.

Bree released me. “Even if I had a hundred siblings, you’d still be my favorite. Now, hand me another cookie.”

We settled at the table, and the indecisiveness over Maxwell’s job offer continued plaguing me. I had to talk to Bishop. I glanced at the clock—he would still be at the bakery. If I hurried, I could catch him before he left for the day.

“Bree?” I stood and walked across the room to slip on my jacket and grab the house keys. “I need to see Bishop. I’ll be back soon.”

I dashed out the door and biked over to the bakery. After locking up my bicycle in the rack, I walked in and spotted Bishop at the counter, closing out the register.

“Hey, Bishop,” I called softly, not wanting to startle him.

He looked up. “What brings you here? Everything all right?”

“Not really.” I took a deep breath, exhaling. “I need your advice.”

“Sure.” He leaned against the counter, folding his arms across his broad chest.

My hands fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, and I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts. “When I delivered the cake, Maxwell asked me if I wanted to join his team as a graphic designer to market his bakery, and the pay would be double what I’m making here…”

The hurt in his eyes stabbed at my heart like a thousand tiny daggers. “Kenzi,” he said, his voice tight. “Why would you even consider working for Maxwell? You know how much I loathe the guy. How his insidious rumors have hurt my business.”

“I know…but I have bills to pay, Bree to support, and our rent is overdue. This job could make a big difference for us.”

Bishop stared at me, his face inscrutable, his jaw muscles working as if he were chewing on something unpleasant.

“I understand your situation, but there has to be another way,” he said finally, still not looking at me. “You can’t work for my biggest competitor. And besides, you’re doing great things here. We need you.”

But do you need me? I wanted to ask, but swallowed the question.

His kind words made my decision that much harder. Accepting employment from Maxwell might sever ties with Bishop, which pained my heart. Except I couldn’t ignore the financial strain I was under.

“I’m confused and don’t know what to do,” I whispered. “But I knew I had to tell you.”

“Thank you for being honest with me, Kenzi.”

“There’s more—my sister was accepted to the local music school, and the tuition is astronomical.” I wrung my hands together. “This job might be the solution we need.”

Silence wrapped around us, heavy and awkward. I was dying to know what was going on in his head, what he felt about all this. Part of me wanted to laugh it off, make a stupid joke, but the words just wouldn’t come.

Finally, he blew out a breath. “I’m not sure what you want me to say,” he said quietly.

My chest tightened. “I came here because I wanted your opinion and I needed a friend.”

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