Page 8 of Playoffs & Promises

Kim sweeps her brown hair over her shoulder without a second thought. "If my mother could have, she would have married me off in some business deal. Brad too, if he hadn't fallen for Beth."

I stare at them in wonder. "But the inheritance clause thing. Surely that's not real."

"Maybe not on the technicalities," Charlotte answers. "But if there's a legal way to, there are people out there that do."

Sofie's expression turns sad. "It's so depressing. To think that people would rather their kids be miserable than to let them marry for love and happiness. It should be happy."

"Well life isn't a fairytale," Charlotte says. "So I think I'll keep trying to make my own dreams come true."

"As we all should," I agree.

"I have some news," Sofie says when Hannah is on the screen. "My bookstore is expanding to include a full cafe. My husband bought out the business next door so we'll have an official book club space and I won't need to rearrange chairs. He's even invested in the most comfortable chairs for reading and there will be room for more shelves too."

"How long will the store be closed for renovations?" I ask. Renovations for when I'd been opening my bakery had taken forever and almost put my bakery under before it even began.

"Oh, the biggest change is combining with the cafe next door, and the contractor said they'd put up a temporary wall so they can get everything done without the bookstore needing to be closed for more than a couple of days. He'll save the noisy stuff for when the store isn't busy so customers aren't too disturbed."

"Does that mean the store will be closed during book club?" Beth asks. "Or is the book club space going to be a private space?"

"I haven't finalized all the details with the contractor yet. Just that I wanted it to be easy for someone to walk between the cafe and bookstore. I’m hoping I can put a room in just for book club."

Sofie turns to me. "I also want to put in a display for baked goods, and I'm hoping you'll agree to make it."

"Of course!" I tell her. "When you're ready we can discuss the specifics."

Sofie relaxed visibly. "Good. It's a lot of change, but I'm excited to be able to offer a space for other book lovers to gather."

We dive into the story after that. Love and honor, wealth and happiness. The women in the room with me are powerhouses and I'm amazed by each and every one of them. Beth works for a billionaire and practically runs his business. Kim built a life for herself after being widowed young, Sofie owns the best bookstore, and I could go on as I look at Lia, Hannah, and Charlotte. I'll get there someday, and once my business is secure, and I'll reach my goals, then I'll worry about a love life and a family of my own.

Three

MARIA

Iwalk into the break room the day before game day, to see several guys on the team enjoying double chocolate muffins. The same double chocolate muffins I happen to know were among my sister's favorites from La Petite. I spot the bakery box on the table and move in for my lemon bar. Nate still hasn't replaced the one he won on the lemon line.

The guys quiet just as I reach for the box, and my pre-prank senses spring into action.

"What is it?" I ask them.

They look at each other like a bunch of guilty teenagers trying to figure out who's going to take the blame.

I pin my gaze on Shane. "Cough it up."

"There's no lemon bar."

Without hesitation, I flip the box open and see that it only has a few chocolate muffin crumbs in it.

"Why isn't there a lemon bar?" I ask.

The guys shrug, and Shane answers again, "We don't know."

"Who picked up the order?"

More shrugs all around.

"Seriously?"

I leave the team's break room and go in search of the office break room. My sister got the entire staff addicted to La Petite while she worked here, and I have no doubt that I'll find my lemon bar upstairs. It's all just a mix up I reassure myself. New staff or something. They don't know that lemon bars belong downstairs. Without Hannah or Matt to bring it to me, people probably don't realize. I just need to say something and then I'll be good to go.

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