Page 8 of Baking Spirits Bright

"Lincoln. If you'd let me do what I want, I could do amazing things that would bring people in from surrounding areas. Once you put it on social media, it would blow up," Lyla says, hooking her thumb in the belt loop of her jeans.

"Social media is something that could be here today, gone tomorrow. We can't put all of our eggs in one basket, Lyla. I told you I'm purchasing the bakery. I have to think about what we're doing as the owner, and the one responsible for the livelihood ofevery single employee here. I'm going to do what I see fit, and right now I can't let you do whatever you want," I tell her. It's not what she wants to hear. The way her mouth firms into a straight line lets me know everything I need to.

"Fine," she shrugs. "You're the boss."

And I know that's when she'd decided she was going to leave. It was six weeks after this that she walked out. Since then, I've been thinking about how I could've done things differently. Offering her what I know she wanted is my first step in doing that.

The back door opens and the morning crew walks in. I told them she would be here this morning, and over half of them worked with her the first time she was here. They call out greetings, and when I don't hear any arguing, I put my head down and get to work.

When I look up, it's three hours later. The worst part about owning this place is the amount of paperwork and busy shit I have to do. I wish I could spend more time out on the floor, and be creative, but unfortunately, this is what I do now.

Getting up, I stretch, reaching toward the sky and rotate to the left, then to the right. Being stuck in this chair is going to make me gain weight if I don't get out of it every once in a while. Heading out to the prep area, I wave at everyone before going over to where Lyla is. "Can I see what you've come up with?"

She steps back from the prep table, showing me her handiwork. These cookies glitter like a pop star's boots in the spotlight on a big stage. "What do you think?"

"Those are amazing. They're so bright you can see the damn things from space. They're almost too nice looking to eat."

The smile that spread across her face is worth every compliment I've given her. "You really think so? I have a dozen cupcakes over here, too. I know you only said cookies, but I thought a few cupcakes would go over well too. I mean, kids love anything that's sweet."

"Thank you. I'm sure they're going to love it all. How many more do you have to finish?"

She looks around, lifting from the prep table, groaning as she does. "Nobody realizes how physical this job is. I'm getting too old not to stretch."

"I thought the same thing when I got up from my chair. It sucks getting older."

"Doesn't it? To answer your question, I'll be done in about an hour. Then I'd love to make some for the case, if that's okay with you?"

This is new. Back in the day, she wouldn't have asked for permission, she would've asked for forgiveness. "Whatever you decide to do, I'm okay with. If it negatively affects the bakery, then we'll discuss it."

"You're much more laid back this time, Lincoln. It's kind of disconcerting."

"I'm different than I was." I blow out a breath, wondering if I want to go deeper into this now. In the end, I decide if we're going to work together, we'll need to be honest with one another. "When you left, I knew you were going to be a runaway success, Lyla. When you did good for a few months, and then I could see it dying down for you, I realized how easy it is for things that are going great to turn around. You gave me my mortality in this business." I roll my lips together. "I hated to see what happened, and I know how fucking talented you are. There's no reason thiscommunity shouldn't have your art in it, and I want to make that happen." What I don't say is I fucking missed her.

"Lincoln, I didn't realize you cared." Before, that would've been said as a smartass, but this time, it sounds like she's actually surprised.

I didn't either. "I've grown up since you stopped working here. Things have changed, and I'm a more empathetic person than I was. I'm sorry I was a dick back then."

She looks like she wants to apologize, too, but she gives me a grin. "You were. I'm glad you grew up."

And with those words, she turns on her heel and goes to get the boxes for the cookies.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lyla

The back of the stockroom looks almost identical as it did the day I left. It doesn't take me long to see the boxes I'm looking for. I had Lincoln order them last year. Unfortunately, they never got used because I quit. They are just as sparkly as the cookies themselves, and haven't lost any of their shimmer.

Turning back toward the prep area, I watch Lincoln's back as he returns to his office. I've missed him over the past year. Even though we got together like water and oil when I worked here, I still enjoyed it. He let me flex my creative muscle, and I'll never forget that. No matter what's gone on between us, he's always been one of my biggest cheerleaders.

"Those are amazing." Angela, one of the other decorators, says as I pack them up. "I wish I had the talent to do that."

I lift my shoulder. "It isn't talent, it's patience, and the ability to push yourself beyond what you think are your boundaries. I watch a lot of YouTube, too." I give her a conspiratorial wink. "There are so many tutorials on there, and free resources, you can learn to do almost anything."

"I'll have to check it out. I'm looking forward to getting tips just by working alongside you. I'm really excited about this opportunity."

I'm overwhelmed. I've never had someone approach me like this, and while I know I'm good at what I do, I've never been on the receiving end of praise like this. If I'm honest with myself, it's everything I've wanted another person to give me. It's what I've been missing. However, now that I'm getting it, I'm not sure I deserve it. Losing Holly Jolly was a blow I wasn't prepared for. Although the writing was on the wall for months, I wasn't ready to give it up. To have it taken from me? It fucking sucked.

And that's the truth I've been trying to hide since the day I knew Holly Jolly wasn't going to make it. "Stick with me, and I'll teach you everything I know, Angela. I promise."

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