Page 83 of Frosting and Flames

Nick’s gaze stays on the road, but his eyes widen a fraction, lips parting. “Oh? Is something wrong?”

I shrug, not sure why I even said that. “I don’t know. Not wrong, just…” Where am I going with this?

He reaches over and takes my hand. “Tell me about it.”

I focus on the way his rough thumb brushes over my knuckles. “I didn’t mean to bring anything up.”

“Yeah, but if it’s something that’s on your mind, I want to hear about it.”

Warmth spreads through my chest. I love that he listens to me. That he’s interested in what I have to say. “I… Well, I told you a bit already about how my parents aren’t running the bakery the best. What I think is the best, at least. They’re very stuck in their ways.”

He nods encouragingly for me to go on. Well, I guess it can’t hurt.

“I moved back here a couple of years ago to take on some responsibilities at the bakery they were having trouble with. Things like taxes and inventory and payroll. Basically, anything involving numbers. They only wanted to bake—which I get. That’s the fun part. But they also didn’t want to give up control about major decisions. But if they want me to deal with all the business side of things, I should get an equal say in potential changes. Like hiring and advertising and expansion.”

“You’re thinking of expanding?”

“Not physically. But our menu. Items that are complementary, like a coffee bar or simple to-go sandwiches.” They’d vetoed the idea when I brought it up a while ago, but I still haven’t given up hope.

“That seems reasonable.”

“Thank you,” I say, glad to have someone agree with me when all Mom and Dad said is it would be too much trouble. “I finally convinced them to let me hire someone on the weekends to man the counter so we can get caught up on orders in the back. They thought things would be the same with three people working compared to five.”

“Six days a week is a lot.”

“Right. And they’re usually ten-hour days.”

“Are you getting paid more for the extra hours?”

I nod. “That was non-negotiable when they said they were going on this world cruise, though they didn’t like it. Anyway, I’m looking at the numbers and we can afford to hire another full-time baker. I brought it up to Sydney and she seemed on board.” Although I didn’t mention Mom and Dad likely wouldn’t be. “It would help us out so much.”

“But your parents won’t like it.”

I nod again. “But the longer they’re gone, I’m tempted to say screw it and do what I want anyway.” I already did it by putting that ad in the paper. Sydney and Hailey must not have said anything to them about it because I haven’t received any angry calls.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Nick asks. “They’re not even here.”

I blink, suddenly realizing I’ve been complaining about trivial squabbles with my parents, when he’s lost both of his. Way to be insensitive, Rachel.

“Don’t get me wrong, they’re good people,” I say. “Just not the best business owners. But you’re right. They’re not here. Not the ones working sixty-hour weeks.” I chew on my lower lip for a moment. “I’m technically not an owner, but I am in charge of the finances… God, I sound like I’m trying to convince myself.”

He squeezes my hand. “You just don’t want anyone to end up upset.” He’s right. That’s what’s been holding me back about this idea, even if it would give me, Sydney, and Hailey more breathing room. “And you’re having to take responsibility for a problem that shouldn’t have been yours to fix. But if something has to give, you do what you have to do. You can’t make everyone happy.”

I let out a slow breath, his words settling over me like a warm blanket. Permission to do what should have been done monthsago when Mom and Dad announced they were taking a six-month hiatus. “You’re right.”

He grins. “I usually am.”

I chuckle, shaking my head at his teasing. “I’ll talk to Hailey about it, too, but yeah. I think I’ll hire another baker to help us out.”

“Glad I could help.”

He did. And it was surprisingly easy to use him as a sounding board. How many other problems could I solve by talking to him about them?

“Thank you for listening.” Others might have brushed it off as inconsequential or simply told me not to stress. But not Nick.

“Of course.”

He puts the truck in park and I glance around, unable to believe I completely missed the ride to… wherever we are.

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