Page 89 of The Gingerbread Bakery
And she knew it was about time she let him say his piece.
ChapterThirty-Three
Three years ago
Mac stood outside of the brand-new bakery on Main Street. It was only his second day back in Dream Harbor, but this was his most important stop. The shop looked good. Its big front window was filled with delicious-looking treats and the bench out front made him want to sit and eat a cookie in the December sunshine. But he knew it was more than simply an inviting store. It was the culmination of years of work. This bakery was the end product of Annie’s determination, and he was so fucking proud of her. So happy that she’d achieved what she wanted to all those years ago. He remembered it like it was yesterday, lying in his bed next to her talking about what they wanted from life. Annie had gone out and got it, worked for it, earned it. And it was incredible.
And it smelled delicious.
He’d been standing outside for far too long now, indecision and nerves keeping him frozen to the spot.
He caught a glimpse of Annie moving around inside and his breath caught in his throat. She was the same but different; older but still gorgeous; moving around with the same purpose she always did. He didn't know how she would react to him being back but, if they were going to live in the same town again, he had to face her. Might as well do it now.
He pushed open the door to the shop and a little bell tinkled overhead.
‘I’ll be right with you,’ Annie said, not looking up from the tray she was sliding into the display case.
Her voice was enough to send his heart racing. He’d waited so long to hear it again. Too long. He'd been a damn coward for too long. As much as he’d loved his years on the road, he never should have waited this long to talk to her, to apologize. At first, he thought it was best to try and forget her, to put distance between them so they could both move on. And then years had gone by, and he hadn’t known what to say or how to say it. He got the feeling she avoided him whenever he was back in town, and he convinced himself it was better that way.
But he knew this: no matter where he had gone or who he’d been with, he’d never been able to shake his feelings for Annie.
He was done running from them.
‘Hey, Annabelle,’ he said, and Annie picked her head up so fast she hit it on the counter.
‘Ow,’ she hissed, rubbing her head and standing up.
‘Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.’
She stared at him in disbelief. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’
Mac’s heart sank. He should have known this wouldn’t be easy.
‘I'm moving back to town.’
‘No, you’re not,’ she said, so firmly that Mac nearly laughed.
‘I am, actually.’
‘You can’t.’
‘Annie, I’m pretty sure you don’t have a say in that.’
She crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Well, I do have a say in who comes into my bakery so you can get the fuck out.’
‘Can I at least explain? I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened.’
‘I don't know what you’re talking about.’
‘Annie, come on…’
‘Don'tAnnie come onme! I haven't seen you in eight years, Macaulay Sullivan.’
‘Itriedto see you.’ He had tried. Several times over the past few years he’d stopped by her parents’ house. Conveniently, she’d never been around, and no one had known where to find her. It was like she disappeared anytime he came back to Dream Harbor. Or her friends and family were instructed to make him think she had.
Annie scoffed. ‘Look, we don’t need a big reunion moment. You’re moving back to town. That’s lovely for you, but I don’t need to interact with you, so please leave.’
‘I’m sorry.For everything.’
