Page 4 of Baking Spirits Bright

I cross my arms over my chest. "If you're hoping it's going to make me feel bad about what happened between me and Lyla, you can forget it. The morning she left, we had words. Neither one of us were on our best behavior, and I'm not proud of it, but here we are. I came to the shop today to extend an offer to her, one I know she wouldn't have taken a year ago, but maybe she will now."

Kayla's eyes meet mine. "I'm going to lay it out for you as clearly as I can. I hope you can follow along."

"I'm not an idiot, but please go ahead." The tension between us is thick, but I refuse to back down. I've learned a lot over the last year, and one of the biggest things has been to stand up for myself. No one else is going to do it for me.

Her gaze sweeps over me. It's taking in the clean jeans, the sweater, and the spotless boots. She's looking at me as if I'm the type of guy who now sits in the office and does nothing to help his employees. I did that on purpose. I wanted to give a good impression to Lyla, to show her how well Super and Spice is doing. What I didn't anticipate was Kayla thinking I'm a dick.

"She's broke." The words are said with moisture in her eyes. "For the last six months she's been hanging on by the skin of her teeth, and it's only gotten worse. The price of everything has skyrocketed, and because you bought the first bakery in Sugar Creek, you obviously have the advantage."

"I wouldn't say that..." I interrupt her.

"Of course you wouldn't. But you did, and the fact you don't realize that says a lot about you, Lincoln. Do you honestly think you'd have all these customers without them being brought to you on a silver platter? If there's one thing I've learned with my husband being in the business field, it's that you have to work hard to get and keep customers, but getting them is the hardest thing. You never had to do that. If you did a survey of the customers who have come into Sugar and Spice, I guarantee you that seventy to eighty percent of them showed up before you were even born, Lincoln. It was never fair to her."

Now I'm getting irritated. "Business isn't fair, Kayla. She left, and I told her she would come back to me, begging for a job. She hasn't yet, but I have a really good idea she needs to. I came here to offer her one so she wouldn't have to ask for it, but you've been an ass since the moment I walked in." I rub my chin to keep my mouth from saying something I can’t take back. "Can you please let her know that there is a place for her at Sugar and Spice, if she wants it? That's all I wanted." I throw my arms out to the side. "My number is the same. She should have it."

With those words, I walk out. I don't need to argue with Kayla. She's not the one I want here, and she won't be able to tell Lyla what to do. As I get into the driver's seat of my SUV, I hope I said enough to get her to call me. If she doesn't, there's not much more I can do for her.

CHAPTER THREE

Lyla

The phone in my hand is teasing me. It's saying I should tell Lincoln Morrison to fuck off, but the rent that's due in a few weeks is encouraging me to call him. I hate every single part of this. That morning I left Sugar and Spice. I never expected to look back. It was full-steam ahead. I had no time to think of what may not happen. I never had a Plan B. Now that's coming back to bite me in the ass.

I can't talk to him, my bruised heart and ego won't allow it. Instead, I put my fingers on the keyboard of the phone and send a text.

Me: Kayla told me you came by the store today. What did you want?

He needs to ask me. I don't want to offer him a damn thing.

Lincoln: I'd prefer to talk to you face to face about this, if that's possible.

Me: It's not. Not right now. I understand, believe me, but I can't handle it, Linc. My life is crashing around me.

Lincoln: I get it. So I stopped by the shop today to see how you felt about taking a job with me again. I heard things weren't going great, but I had no idea you were that close to closing, Lyla. I wish you would've said something to me. Maybe I could've helped.

Tears well up in my eyes. I would never have asked him for advice or his help, but I didn't know I could. I wasn't aware he would be that nice, not after I walked out on him. Then again, maybe I'm projecting my own feelings.

Me: I knew early on it wasn't going to work, Lincoln. I just didn't want to admit it. It was my dream; ya know?

Lincoln: I completely understand. As someone said to me today, I don't think I've ever realized how lucky I am to have stepped into an already established bakery. I have a proposition for you.

The side of my mouth tilts up in a grin.

Me: I won't pretend to be your wife for the night, Linc. This isn't a movie.

Lincoln: LMAO! You and I both know that's not what I want. I'd love for you to come back to work for me. It could be on your terms.

God, I hate this. Hate that this was never part of my plan, and it looks like it's going to happen. For the first time in a few months, I feel as if I have options. It's more freeing than I imagined it would. One thing I've learned since I walked out ofSugar and Spice, though, is that I can't decide based on emotion. I have to make them based on what I can afford to do, and what I'm able to handle emotionally.

Me: I appreciate what you're offering, but I'm going to be smarter than I was last time. Let me think about this for a couple of days?

He's gritting his back teeth. I know that like I know the back of my hand. But if he allows, I'm going to make him wait.

Lincoln: Take the time you need, but please know I need the answer as soon as you have it.

Me: I promise I won't keep you waiting any longer than necessary.

Tossing the phone to the side, I blow out a breath. This decision would've been so much easier ten months ago. While things had been difficult, I'd had savings, and I would have made different decisions. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, but this is worse. I can look back and critique every single decision I made. It's like a choose your own adventure, and I've made all the wrong ones.

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