Page 31 of Made for You

I dig into my pizza and eat in silence while Roman works, Liam still hasn’t come to see me but he’s still sitting and sulking at his table. My patience is waning with him though.

Roman leans down in front of me, resting his elbows on the bar.

“How’s that pizza?” he asks laughing as I snag the last piece off my plate.

“Delicious as always. Can I ask you something?” I wipe my hands on my napkin.

“Sure thing. Shoot.”

“Why is Liam theresident assholeas you called him? I mean I remember him being quiet and reclusive, but never a jerk.”

“He’s had a tough time with the inn. And his siblings. I think his perception of things is worse than they really are, but you should ask him about it. It’s not my story.” He winks at me.

“Got it. Can I ask you one more question?”

He chuckles. “Sure.”

“Want to get me a brownie sundae with peanut butter sauce?” I smile big, trying to get him to do my dessert bidding.

“You got it.” He points to me and heads back to the kitchen himself.

I glance back to see Liam while I wait, but he’s gone. I never saw him leave and he never came to say goodbye. Now I’m pissed at him. It’s one thing to be grouchy, it’s another to believe I would say that about him and refuse to talk to me.

At least now I can read my book and not have to share my chocolate.

I woke up in a grumpy mood today after tossing and turning, thinking about Liam all night. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

And of course, everything that can go wrong, is going wrong this morning. I wanted to make a quiche, but I didn’t have enough eggs. So I had to run to the store, and now I’m behind. While the quiche bakes I start on the batter for cinnamon roll pancakes that I’m making tomorrow for the guests.

Emma sent out a flier with the check-ins and every single guest has said they will join us for breakfast. I am even going to fold the bacon into a heart shape for the holiday.

My anxiety is on high alert waiting for Liam to come in, but as the morning passes he still hasn’t. Only Emma has come to see me to go over some of the plans for Valentine’s Day and to get more social media content.

Emma is shooting a video of me mixing the pancake batter when she scrunches her nose. “What is that smell?”

I sniff at the air. “Oh shit!”

I run over to the oven and pull out my quiche with a blackened top.

“Great. Just what I needed today.” I toss the offending quiche onto the island and lean forward, resting my elbows and rubbing my eyes with the heel of my hands.

I can feel the tears of frustration burning the back of my eyes.

“Is everything okay?” Emma says softly.

“No. I don’t know. Liam won’t talk to me. He hasn’t texted me back, he won’t listen to me, and clearly he doesn’t trust me or know me enough to not believe that I’d say something like that about him, behind his back nonetheless! And now he’s avoiding the inn.” Emma rubs my back. “I just, everything is going wrong this morning. I just need a break. I’m going to head out to buy more eggs. Again.”

I stand, shutting off the oven and head out to get my coat and walk into town.

Maybe I need a coffee from Emerald Roasters. That will boost my spirits. It has to.

The cold walk to town is already improving my mood. But the second I walk in and inhale the aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans the last bit of my bad mood goes away.

While I’m in line, I see their special Valentine’s Day menu featuring my baked goods. I feel more proud seeing the sold out stickers over my pastries than I ever did in culinary school. That’s how I know I made the right choice dropping out and coming to Balsam Cliffs. Even if the resident grump is directing his anger at me today.

When I get up to the counter, Franklin is taking orders.

“Good morning, sweet Violet. It’s a nice surprise to see you this morning. Where is Liam?” He looks behind me and instantly my bad mood is back.

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