Page 64 of Someday You Learn

Cashlynn

“You look like you could use another cup of coffee,” Astrid says as I walk through the front door of Smells Like Sugar.

“I don’t even know if coffee could solve my problems,” I reply, stifling a yawn.

“I beg to differ. Coffee is the antidote to some of life’s greatest ailments.”

“In that case, another hit of caffeine would be amazing. Thank you.”

Astrid smiles and moves to her espresso machine. “Coming right up.”

I head for a table in the corner of the bakery that should be big enough for me to spread out my laptop, notebooks, and folders for my meeting with Willow. This week I’ve been working with her friend on branding, and now we’re going to start looking at the timeline for advertising and profit margins, as well as picking a supplier.

Just thinking about everything I still have to do is making my head spin. Of course, another reason for the spinning wears glasses and makes my panties wet each time I see him. My defenses against my fake fiancé—and my growing attraction—are wearing dangerously thin. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out before I start outright begging for him to touch me again.

I know this attraction is mutual. That much was evident when I kissed him the other night and he eagerly kissed me back. The move sure as hell wasn’t planned, but it sure as hell wasn’t fake either. God, I can’t stop thinking about it.

It’s not just the kiss. It’s the way he’s been showing up for me every single day, encouraging me to believe in myself, calming my self-doubts about the gallery, and working his ass off to rebuild my father’s trust while proving he deserves to take over the practice.

This is more than just a fake arrangement. Nothing between us feels fake, and it hasn’t since he slipped that ring on my finger. The way he looked at me, the conviction in his eyes and voice—I know there’s more between us. But nothing I’ve tried has made him crack yet.

What if I’m just making this all up in my head?

The bell above the door chimes and Willow walks in, wearing soft black leggings and an oversized cream sweater with brown knee-high boots. Some women just radiate when they’re pregnant, and she is one of them.

She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder and when our eyes meet, she heads in my direction. “Sorry I’m late,” she says as she sets her large purse on one of the empty chairs and removes a few file folders from it.

“You’re not. I just got here. Astrid is making me some coffee.”

“And I have a decaf for the mom-to-be,” Astrid announces, setting our drinks on the table.

Willow places a hand on Astrid’s arm. “I love you, but I’d love you even more if you’ve got a blueberry muffin back there with my name on it.”

Astrid winks at her best friend. “I saved you two.”

As she walks away, Willow turns back to me. “Have you had one yet?”

“Not yet.”

Willow gasps dramatically. “They’re the best thing she makes!” She rubs her stomach as she takes a seat. “I couldn’t eat them during my first trimester because I could barely keep anything down. But now, if I don’t get my fix, bad things happen to good people.”

Chuckling, I say, “Note to self: butter up my boss with blueberry muffins.”

Willow smiles. “I’m not your boss, I’m your investor, Cashlynn. This is your baby,” she says, placing her hand over mine. “And with the way things are going, I think we might be able to open in two months instead of three.”

“Really?”

She nods.

“I can’t thank you enough, Willow. Truly.”

“I remember what it was like to be the new person in town, and how nerve-racking starting your own business can be. If it weren’t for Astrid and her generosity, I don’t know that I would have stayed. And I see something in you that reminds me a lot of myself.”

I swallow nervously. “And what’s that?”

“Resilience. Bravery. One of these days you’re going to understand how your doubts can actually lead you to where you’re meant to be.”

Her words strike a chord. I’ve been in Carrington Cove for nearly a month now, and the longer I’m here, the more this place feels like home, like this is where I’m supposed to be. Now if only I could figure out what the future looks like for me and Parker.

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