Page 54 of Someone You Deserve

“No problem. I’m going to get back to filling the eclairs and then move on to the macarons.”

“I’ll be back there to help when I can.” I hear her glide through the swinging door to the kitchen as I focus back on the inventory sheets on the iPad in my hands, making a note of our products and how much we’re selling so I know what to order for next week from my supplier. This was my least favorite task when Greg and Jenny still owned the place, and even though I’ve simplified it by updating the system, it’s more complicated in other ways now since I’m expanding the menu.

The only thing I have left to do is land on a name. The bakery will either be Cooper’s Creations, paying homage to my married name even though my husband didn’t support this “hobby” of mine or Whisk Me Away Bakery since baking always helped me escape when I was lonely and needed some time for myself. I’m not sold on either option, but I haven’t come up with anything better.

“Good morning, Astrid!” The cheery voice of Pam from Cove Real Estate summons my attention as she walks through the door of the store.

“Hi, Pam. How are you?”

Brushing her gray bangs from her eyes, she pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose and smiles as she walks over to the counter where I’m standing. “I’m fantastic, dear. How are you? How’s it feel to be the boss?”

“Oh, it’s something.” We share a laugh. “Honestly, it’s overwhelming and exhilarating and some days I still can’t believe that it’s real.”

“Well, it is dear.” Her eyes scan the shop. “And the improvements look just gorgeous! Seriously, this place looks completely different.”

I track her eyes as she takes it all in.

Penn has done an amazing job repainting the walls a soft pink with white stripes. The display cases really pop against the pale color, and the new tables and chairs remind me of antique furniture you would see at a Victorian tea house—elegant, yet rustic. The only thing left to do is the floors, which he’s working on tonight. I have to stay late just to let him in since I only have one key to the shop right now. Getting another is one more item on my very long to-do list.

“Thank you. Penn’s done amazing work.”

Pam smiles knowingly. “He’s so talented. I can’t wait to see what he does with Tom’s old place.”

“Tom Nelson?”

“That’s right.”

“Huh. I didn’t know he got contracted for that.”

“Oh, it isn’t a contracting job. Penn bought the place! He’s going to fix it up and turn it into a rental. Brilliant idea, if you ask me.” The crease between my brows must be so harsh because Pam studies me and then says, “He didn’t tell you about it?”

My mindis spinning. A rental? Is that where he took Bentley last night? When we were eating dinner, Lilly kept asking if she could go to Penn’s house to smash stuff since Bentley got to. I thought it was a little weird that he would let Bentley destroy a wall at his place, so this makes a lot more sense.

But more importantly, why didn’t Penn say anything?

Oh my God. His super-secret project is his own rental business?

“Uh, nope. He hasn’t said anything.”

She purses her lips. “Interesting. I mean, he told me not to say anything, but I assumed he’d have at least told you, as close as you two are. Hell, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were involved.” She shrugs and then begins scanning the display case for her purchase as my heart has palpitations that are rocking my entire body. “I’m sure he would have told you eventually.”

Would he?

Penn and I normally tell each other everything. Why would he keep something this big from me?

Really, Astrid? You tell each othereverything?Then why haven’t you told him about the dirty dream you had about him last night? Or the one the night before? Or about the Morgan Hotel event that is stressing you out while simultaneously making you giddy about the opportunity…

Okay, subconscious. You’ve made your freaking point.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say, agreeing because it’s the polite thing to do and because it’s easier than saying what’s really on my mind right now—how that man frustrates me like no other. “Do you know what you’d like today?”

After I fill Pam’s order, take her payment, and talk to her about her grandkids for a few minutes, she leaves and I pick up my iPad again, trying to focus on order numbers when all I want to do is call Penn and interrogate him about the house he bought.

Yet, as soon as I reach for my phone, the chime above the door rings and in walks Richard Cockwell, professionally dressed and smiling, despite the fact I had to cancel our date last night.

“Hello, Astrid.”

“Um…Hi, Richard.” I set my clipboard down and move closer to him. “Look, I’m so sorry about last night…”

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