Page 41 of Forever Home

Taking a deep breath, I finish unloading the baked goods and place the tray to the side, wiping my hands on my apron before stepping around the counter. “Hey… sorry to interrupt. I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re looking for somewhere to host the production.”

The man’s eyes lift to mine with a quizzical gaze. “That’s right. Who might you be?”

“I’m Madison. My mom owns this bakery,” I reply flatly trying to determine if the amusement in his tone is out of sarcasm or genuine interest. “There’s a commercial kitchen rental on the other side of town a lot of people use. I’m sure that you could reach out to the owner about booking it out.”

I let my eyes slide to Jaxson, who gives me a tight-lipped smile as if to say thanks. However, the man’s interest in what I suggested doesn’t seem to light the spark in his eyes I was hoping for.

“Eh, those are all the same. It won’t bring to life what I’m looking for. I need something… more.”

More? What the hell does he think this place is? The Ritz?

“Wait.” The man stops in his tracks. His eyes drifts around the bakery as the thin smile he once had slowly disappears into a wide grin. “This is it!”

I glance at my mother, her brows knit together as we both turn our attention towards the man, trying to understand what epiphany he just had.

“What’s it?” I ask, his eyes turning to me as Jaxson’s does as well.

“We can do the show here!” he exclaims. “We can title it, ‘Big City Chef in Small Town Living’ or something along those lines. It will be perfect!”

Here… What does he mean here? Like where here?

“Oh,” I say, pondering over his words. “That is quite catchy. He may be on to something.”

My words seem to go unnoticed by the man Jaxson is meeting, but my words don’t slide past Jaxson. He smiles at me, a cocky half-smile that says thank you without actually using words. It’s the same kind of smile that he used to give me back in the day when I got him out of a shit situation.

Mainly with his parents.

“Rander,” Jaxson finally speaks up. “I’m sure there is somewhere in town that we can outfit with a kitchen to make magic happen. I can call a few of my contacts—”

Laughter escapes Rander as he shakes his head. As if what Jaxson had said was the most amusing thing he had ever heard. “Don’t be silly. I already said we can have it here… as in here in this bakery. I didn’t see it initially when I thought I was walking in for a small-town coffee, but now looking at this place… it’s darling.”

Darling? Who the hell is this guy?

Rander begins to gush over one thing after another, pointing out small aspects of my mother’s bakery that’s absolutely perfect for the show. All while dismissing the fact that he doesn’t even have permission to use this place.

Jaxson’s eyes turn to me, as if pleading with me to say yes to this ridiculous idea. As if I actually have the ability to allow it to happen. He must forget that though I work here… this place isn’t mine. It’s my mother’s.

I open my mouth, mouthing to him the words “no” and “I can’t.” But it doesn’t seem to work. Instead, he continues to silently plead until I finally succumb to his begging. Letting out a low groan, I turn onmybest pleading face for my mother.

Her eyes meet mine the moment I turn to her. “No…”

“Oh come on, Mom… I didn’t even ask you anything yet.”

As much as I want to accept my mother saying no, I can’t. Just seeing the happiness that lingers within his gaze is enough for me to give in and give him what he wants. Though my mother isn’t as easily persuaded by his charming antics.

“I said no, Madison,” she states once more, her brow raised as she gives me a pointed look. “I already told you how I felt about them being here.”

“Mom, come on. It won’t be that bad, and it will bring in publicity for the bakery.”

“Madison—” she says a little more sternly. “The last thing I want are those people coming in here and ruining what I’ve built. I know the kind. They want want want and they take take take in the process. I’m not interested in them trying to change my business to suit their needs.”

Jaxson appears right behind me with Rander on his heels, as they both stare at my mother with pleading expressions.

“What if I can guarantee you that nothing will be changed,” Jaxson reasons, “and you won’t have to close the place down or anything. You close early enough so we can work after you close.”

She’s quiet for a moment, her arms crossing over her chest as Jaxson, Rander, and myself all wait for her reply. One that starts with a huff, then turns into a groan before she finally decides to answer. “Fine… but I have two conditions.”

“Of course,” Rander replies. “Anything you want… the ‘Big City Chef in a Small Town’ idea is something I’ve never seen before… and if I have to follow your rules, I will.”

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