Page 20 of The Plan
“Nope.” I say, placing a mug of tea down in front of her. “I think I was always meant to be here but I needed something to happen to show me how true that was.”
“What about you? Blake said you’re a designer now. That’s incredible. I remember how much you used to love to draw.”
“Self-employed designer,” she says, pointing to herself. “I didn’t want to move to the city so I decided to do it myself. Everything that’s been rebranded in this town in the last few years has been done by my fair hands,” she adds with a proud smile.
“Congrats, that’s awesome. You up for helping me out?”
“Of course! What’s the plan?”
“Cakes,” I say, gesturing to the pile of icing behind me. “For now, anyway. I’ve always wanted to own a bakery like that one we used to have in town.”
“I remember,”
“But that’s just a pipe dream for now.”
We chat away like fifteen years or more haven’t passed since we spent any real time together. It’s only when there’s a bang from outside that the conversation slows down.
“Oh, hey, Cara. Were your ears burning? We were only talking about you earlier,” Blake says when he appears with his mug. “Could you let Addy know that I haven’t finished but I need to go and get Sinead from school. She’s got swimming.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll try to get back tomorrow but if I can’t, it’ll have to be the weekend.”
“Okay.”
“Bye, Cara. Later, baker girl,” he says with a wave and a heart stopping smile that only I receive.
When he’s disappeared and I’ve managed to get my butterflies under control, I look over to Cara, who has a shit-eating grin on her face.
“What?”
“Been back a few days and already trying to snag the most eligible bachelor in Northern Ireland,” she says with a wink.
“No, don’t be stupid. It’s just Blake.” I try for nonchalant but the narrowed eyes I get in return tell me I didn’t hit the mark.
“Well, maybe you’ll be the one to break him. Christ, all of us have tried, but other than a few dates, the guy’s lived like a monk since Kayleigh died.”
“Oh?” falls from my mouth and it makes me sound way more interested in the situation than I should.
“He’s hot though, right?” Another wink.
“Yeah, I guess.”
I continue to try to play it cool and evade Cara’s questions for another half an hour before she heads off after agreeing to meet for coffee in a few days.
Without all the distractions, I manage to almost have the cake finished by the time Aunt Addy gets back.
“Oh wow, that’s incredible, Addison,” she sings when she sees it.
“Thank you.”
“How have you done it so fast?”
“I have no idea,” I answer honestly, because what with Blake flaunting himself around and then Cara’s visit, I haven’t exactly had much time.
“Angie loved your cake. And here,” she says, handing me a couple of bits of paper. “I have some more orders for you.”
“No shit,” I squeal, taking them from her. “Who for?”
