Page 78 of How to Break My Heart
CHAPTER 21Eva
Billie needed time off while her mother stayed in the hospital under observation.
I manage to open every morning, with Chloe starting later and taking over the afternoon shift.
At least this way, it gives me time to check things off my ever-growing list. Somehow, that list has multiplied, and little things need attention before the wedding, which is only around the corner.
As for Aston, I haven’t heard from him, though I’m not surprised. We ended our fun somewhat amicably, but considering I threw around the friend card, he’s ghosted me and has been anything but a friend.
I briefly asked Maddy if he was still in town, and she replied yes. Apparently, her father insisted Aston spend time with Myles’s father. I assume it was business related, and I didn’t ask any more questions.
All I can do is keep myself busy and ignore the pestering hollow in my chest.
Billie received positive news that her mom was going home this morning. I quickly prepared a care package and some food, sending it to her house so Billie wouldn’t have to stress for therest of the day. There is an amazing pie shop two blocks over, and Billie’s mom loves the chicken potpie.
The morning is relatively quiet, only adding to my somber mood. I have managed to clean the kitchen, do inventory, and order more supplies. After my conversation with Aston about expanding, I found myself scrolling through leasing options in the city out of boredom. The prices were over-the-top, so I backed away before I spiraled for no reason. I’d have to sell a hell of a lot of donuts to even come out in the black.
At just after ten, Maddy bursts through the door with tears streaking her flushed cheeks.
“Maddy, what’s wrong?” I rush to her side, motioning for her to sit.
She stares at her hands, trying to control her tears. I bring her in for a tight embrace in an effort to comfort her. Slowly, she pulls away, reaching inside her purse for a tissue.
“This wedding is stressing me out,” she frets in a shaky voice, then continues, “Georgina just informed me some family friends of theirs will be in the country and would like to come to the wedding. Not only that, my father invited some business associates, too. This was supposed to be a small, intimate wedding. When did this become a circus? And no one is listening to me. Just because money is not an issue doesn’t mean I want a big wedding.”
I rest my hand on hers. “Just breathe, okay? I can contact the caterer to increase the head count and make a note of it on the seating chart. It can still be what you want despite the additional head count. We can make it work. Is that the only thing bothering you, though?”
Maddy shakes her head. “I have all this work to finish before I officially go on leave next week. There’s a ton of stuff to do, not to mention Georgina is driving me up the wall. She’s already picking out nursery patterns for the kids I’ll supposedly be having soon. Owls… apparently owls are cute.”
With a heavy nod, I listen to her repeat the conversation Georgina threw upon her this morning. It’s obvious that with all the stress of the wedding, Maddy isn’t thinking straight and is trying to please everyone.
“Give me the list. I’ll take care of it. As for the whole baby thing, I can’t help you there, but I’m sure Myles can have a word with his mother.”
“But you’re busy here. With Billie gone, I don’t want to burden you,” Maddy whispers before biting her nails to curb the stress.
I pull her hand away from her mouth as I always do to break the bad habit, then tell her, “Don’t worry about me. Billie is back tomorrow. Chloe can cover for me this afternoon. She’ll be here in fifteen minutes. Tell me what you need.”
“It’s too much, don’t worry about it,” Maddy sulks.
“Maddy, it’s fine. Trust me.”
She sighs heavily. “There is a store in Manhattan that has the jewelry I need to pick up for the wedding and another store for the shoes. Mom suggested I try my entire outfit on, but I just don’t have time to go to the city. The stylist wants to do a test run for my hair and makeup. How hard is it to get my hair in a bun?”
I can’t argue this one. It’s not hard to get Maddy’s hair in a bun. I’ve done it several times for her.
“It’s fine, I can do it.”
“Are you sure?” Her eyes plead with an inner soft glow. “You have so much going on here.”
“I’ll drive there now and back tonight. Billie works the morning, so I can sleep in if I’m tired.” I reach out to squeeze her hand. “Can you chill now, please?”
Maddy sinks into the chair with a slack expression. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. It feels like you’re the only one who actually cares about me.”
“Okay, now you’re being a bit dramatic.” I stop myself from rolling my eyes. “So many people care about you and love you.”
“Oh yeah? It doesn’t feel like it.”
“C’mon, Myles, for starters. I mean, he has agreed to do the whole sickness-and-health-till-death-do-us-part thing,” I joke, smiling softly, only to falter momentarily. “And, um… your brother.”
