Page 59 of The Icing on the Cake
I told myself I wouldn’t get involved with anyone. Nate shattered my trust so completely that I swore off relationships until I could trust my own judgment again. The scary part is, I didn’t see things going downhill with Nate until it was too late. What if I’m wrong about Lucian too?
I turn back to the counter, my eyes landing on the grant application Mabel posted on our bulletin board, the one I’ve considered filling out about fifty times this week.
Twenty thousand dollars would be seed money, enough to start my own bakery. But it would mean committing to Maple Falls for two more years, and I’m not sure I can do that. Not when all my memories of Mom are here in Maple Falls, ripping open a wound that has never quite healed. Starting over in a new city is more than just a business move—it’s the only way I can think to heal from my past.
Emmy catches me staring at the grant application. “Have you decided yet? The deadline’s coming up soon.”
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “Seattle has been the plan for so long.”
“Plans can change,” Emmy says. “Sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we actually need.”
I pick up the wooden cupcake figurine, turning it over in myhand. My heart squeezes every time I think about leaving this town.
But I can be happy without Lucian or Maple Falls, right?
Emmy sets aside her books and comes over, stopping in front of me. “Neesha, I get it. After what your mom went through, after Nate—of course you’re hesitant. But here’s what I’ve learned: The right person doesn’t feel like a risk you take. It feels like coming home.”
She leaves me with a look before heading out the front door of the shop on her way to another wedding appointment. I take down the grant application from the board, and spread out the pages, setting the cupcake figurine on top.
Even though this wasn’t part of my plan, there’s something tempting about the idea. My own business, right here in Maple Falls. No more baking in my tiny kitchen. No more saving every penny for a move that feels impossible. This keeps my options open. I could use it to buy a food truck to sell my cupcakes at the farmers’ market—or basically anywhere in the region. I could start an online business where I ship my cupcakes across the country. Even renting a commercial kitchen space would be more affordable here than in Seattle. My possibilities are almost endless when it comes to this money. The only problem is my willingness to stay.
But two more years in Maple Falls means facing the possibility that what’s growing between Lucian and me might be setting myself up for another heartbreak if things don’t work out. Or worse, that they justmight,and I fall completely for the hockey player next door.
And then what? My phone buzzes on the counter. I pick it up and see a message from Lucian.
Lucian
I have a surprise for you.
My heart does this annoying flutter thing that I absolutelycannot control every time he sends me a text. It’s becoming a serious problem.
Neesha
Should I be worried? Because the last surprise involved discovering you’re a professional athlete who forgot to mention that tiny detail.
Lucian
Come to the roof of the bookstore.
I blink at my phone.The roof?
Neesha
I don’t do heights. Or roof climbing. Or anything that involves potential death.
Lucian
Nice try. But you do fence climbing, remember? You’re not getting out of this. And there’s a fire escape.
Neesha
That’s not exactly reassuring. Plus, I’m still on the clock.
Lucian
You’re not working anymore.
I glance up to see that Emmy flipped our sign to “closed.”
