Page 44 of Tasting Sin

“Her name is Nellie.” I left it at that. I didn’t have to explain to Drake that she was my best friend’s younger sister, not that he would have any trouble understanding that. “I’ve known her most of our lives, and she’s had some rough cards handed to her. I just want to take care of her.”

Drake chortled. “I know how it goes, man.” He sighed the way he only did when he was talking about his wife, and suddenly, I found myself missing Nellie. Images of her somehow always glowing brown eyes blinking up at me took over my mind. My fingers twitched, aching to run over every inch of her skin again. “I’ll get the offer sent over to them. We’ll get your girl her bakery.”

“Thanks for the help,” I said. “I knew I could count on you.”

He laughed. “Well, I owed you a big one. We’ll call it even after this.”

“Get me the building, and you’ve got a deal.”

We struck a nerve with the girl.

Chapter 26

Nellie

“You know, it has been a really good ride. I’m proud of everything we built in this little shop.” I sighed, placing my hand on top of my heavy stand mixer. I remembered how I felt buying it—I couldn’t wait to get to the appliance store, and the first night, I made five dozen cupcakes because I was so excited to use it. “I’m really going to miss it here.”

I sniffled and used the back of my hand to wipe the tears from my too-soaked-to-care cheeks. “I’m going to miss you,” I added, brushing my hand down the side of it like I was saying goodbye to the family pet. My voice cracked. “You were like my best friend.”

“I thought I was your best friend. Who are you talking to?” Ava asked, letting the heavy back door slam behind her. I jumped, shrieking when my feet left the ground, and I put both hands over my chest. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and I took a few deep breaths to try and slow it down.

“The mixer,” I said, as if I hadn’t just screamed like the final girl in a horror movie. Ava started to laugh, stopping when she saw my tear-stained face and apron. “I just can’t believe it’s over. I’m going to miss this.” I waved around me at the bakery I was procrastinating packing. If I didn’t pack it, I didn’t have to leave, right?

“It’s not over.” Ava rounded the counter, putting her arms around my shoulders and hugging me. “It’s just a hump. We’ll have a new spot for the bakery soon.”

“I don’t know,” I sighed. I had been hopeful, but as I unplugged the mixer and listened to the quiet pop from the socket, it didn’t feel hopeful anymore.

“Oh, I do!” As always, my best friend was confident. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, planting a kiss on my cheek before she put her hand on the mixer next to mine. “I’ve never seen anything stop you. I already know you’ll amaze me with this too.”

Fresh tears welled in my eyes, and Ava ran her finger across my cheek to collect one. I didn’t know what I would do without her. “Thank you,” I said, sniffling.

When the bell over the front door rang, my stomach sank. “Did you leave the front door unlocked?” Ava asked, knowing we were closed for the day. I shook my head, grabbing a rubber spatula from the pile on the counter just waiting to go in a box. She looked at my weapon choice, pursing her lips and cocking her head to the side before she took it from me and sat it back on the counter. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she whispered.

“Hello?” I rolled my eyes when I recognized Stu’s voice. I had told him two days ago I would be packed and out on time. Why was he here now?

“I promise I’m packing. I told you I’d be out on time,” I said, turning the corner to the front of the bakery. Stu stood there with a sheepish look on his face. It wasn’t the first time I wanted to smack him, and even though we were almost out of the building, I didn’t think it would be the last time either.

“That’s actually why I’m here,” he said, wringing his hands together. I put mine on my hips, annoyed when he didn’t continue.

“Go on. Why are you here?” I asked. I failed to mask the annoyance in my tone that matched the sinking feeling in my gut.

“Well, you see, that’s the thing,” Stu started, pausing to get closer, like there was an imaginary crowd we wouldn’t be able to hear him over. “The sale of the building fell through at the last minute.”

I yelped excitedly, throwing my hand in the air before stopping to compose myself. He wasn’t amused by the outburst, judging by the dramatic deep breath he took. “So what does this mean for us?” I asked, ignoring the reaction. Ava bounced nervously next to me.

“There is a new owner, and the sale has finalized.” Stu shrugged, and the hope that had filled me with rushed from me. It was like I had been kicked in the chest. “The new owner has explicitly said he’ll keep your lease if you want it.” He didn’t look thrilled to be making the offer.

“Seriously?” I asked, biting my tongue until it hurt to stop myself from celebrating too soon. Stu nodded again.

“Oh my God!” Ava cheered, clapping her hands together and jumping up and down. She threw her arms around me, squealing, “We get to keep the bakery!”

Her words repeated in my mind. We get to keep the bakery.

I looked at her, then Stu, and finally to the back of the bakery, where my mixer and most of my baking tools sat ready to be packed on the prep counter.

We get to keep the bakery.

It was like the room got brighter, and I shrieked, joining Ava in the celebration until Stu cleared his throat. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Was he fighting back a smile himself? “I’ll be back in a couple of days with the new paperwork and to pick up the rent check.”

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