Page 37 of Someone You Deserve

“It’s exhausting but exhilarating at the same time.” I can’t help but smile. “I’m more tired than I’ve ever been, but I love knowing that the store is mine, that I get to make the decisions on what we sell, what it looks like, and everything in between. I will say, though, that the adrenaline is definitely the only thing keeping me going right now.”

“I can’t wait to see it when it’s all done. Did Penn say when he’d be finished?”

Just the mention of Penn makes my pulse spike. “Well, the new display cases just came in today, and he plans on installing them onSunday since the bakery is closed that day. Then he plans on painting sometime this week and installing the new flooring next Friday night.”

“I can’t believe it’s almost done. And when’s the grand reopening?”

“I’m thinking in two weeks, just in time for the holidays.”

Willow perks up in her spot. “Oh, that reminds me. I sort of have a business opportunity for you.”

“Okay…” I take another sip of my wine, waiting for her to continue.

“So, one of my clients, Morgan Hotels, just opened a new hotel in Raleigh earlier this year. They throw a benefit every year to raise money for charity, and Wes Morgan, the owner, asked if I knew anyone who specialized in catering desserts in the area since they want to throw the event at their newest location.” My heart starts to beat more rapidly. “I know that catering isn’t in the spectrum of your business right now, but I thought this could be a great way to get more eyes on the bakery and hopefully bring people into town.” She shrugs as a million questions fill my mind.

“Would it just be dessert?”

“Yes. The dinner is always served at the hotel anyway, but they wanted some kind of sweet treat that was on brand that they could give as party favors to the guests, and a table filled with options for people to sample.”

“How many people?”

“Around five hundred.”

My eyes bug out. “Five hundred?”

Willow winces. “I know it’s a lot, especially right now. But again, I was just thinking about the advertising opportunity. I can’t help it. That’s immediately where my mind goes.”

Willow owns her own advertising firm back in D.C. where she’s from. She recently stepped down as acting CEO when she moved to Carrington Cove full time about a month ago, trying to enjoy otheraspects of her life and find a work-life balance. But she’s still involved in many aspects of the company and she’s an investor in my bakery, so it doesn’t surprise me that she saw this opportunity and wanted to share it.

I just don’t know if I can handle this.

“You can’t do that on your own, Astrid. No way.”

A memory of Brandon flashes through my mind as soon as that self-doubt resurrects itself.

I start thinking about how crazy the next few months will be as the holidays approach, but determination rushes through me. November and December were always the busiest time of year when Greg and Jenny owned the bakery, so I know what to expect at least a little bit, and November is already underway. But knowing that Willow believes in me and I’ve already proven to myself that I’m capable of achieving my dreams, I straighten my spine and say, “I’m definitely interested.”

Willow beams. “Really? Again, you can say no.”

“I’m sure. You’re right. It would be great exposure since a lot of tourists come from that area.”

“They wanted to throw the party the second week in December. Would that work?”

I pull out my phone and look at my calendar. Soccer season will be over by then and Lilly’s dance recital is the weekend after, so I know I’m free, and I’d be a fool to let this opportunity slip by. “Yes, I can make that work.”

Willow shrieks this time, kicking up her feet. “Yes! This is going to be amazing, and of course, I’ll help with whatever I can.”

“I’m going to hold you to that because I might have to hire everyone I know to help frost cookies and cupcakes on the days leading up to the event.”

Willow tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Hand me an apron and I’m there.”

Once I put the event on my calendar, I put my phone back down and reach for my glass, draining what’s left. “There’s more of this, right?”

Willow laughs as she stands from the couch and heads to the kitchen, grabbing the already open bottle and a slice of pizza, taking a bite of it on her way back to the couch. As she sits, she hands me the bottle and I refill my glass. “So, what else has been going on? How are the kids?”

“Bentley is definitely hitting his pre-teen years. The attitude, the talking back. There are days where I think this can’t get any worse, and then I remember he’s only eleven and I have a long way to go.” Willow chuckles. “But thankfully he has soccer to keep him grounded. And he’s doing well in school, which is all I can ask for. Although today he said that he hates school, so I know something must have happened. And Lilly just has so much energy. I wish I could syphon it from her little body and use some for myself.”

“She is a rambunctious girl, but so sweet.”

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