Page 56 of Cupcake

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“Fuck,” Amber said, drawing out the last syllable. “Pardon my French, but I know that didn’t go over well.”

“I think she would have ignored her if Darla hadn’t then called her the town orphan no one wanted to be followed immediately by saying she was a pity fuck.”

“Oh my God,” Amber sighed, dropping her chin to her chest. “This is bad, Brady. Nothing gets to her more than being reminded that her parents didn’t want her.”

“I know. After Darla left, Haylee said she could count how many people love her on one hand with fingers left over. I want to give her space, and I know I should, but I’m afraid of what she’ll do if she gets too bogged down in what someone as insignificant as Darla thinks or says.”

Amber nodded. “I agree. Once Taylor gets here, I’ll use my spare key to her apartment and go in.”

“I’m done with the baking,” I said, standing immediately. “Give me the key, and I’ll go.”

She swung her head a hair and pursed her lips. “I think you should let me, Brady. This situation feels like a two-part process. She needs to cry on my shoulder about it first before she’ll be able to hear what you have to say.”

I tossed up my hand and let it fall to my side. “My voice should be the loudest voice Haylee hears!” I exclaimed, angry that Haylee wouldn’t talk to me.

Amber held out her hands to calm me. “It should be, but Brady, being in a relationship is new to her, and the things Darla said, they implied she doesn’t deserve that relationship, right?”

I nodded, some of the anger draining away. “She said I could be dating and fucking a beauty queen every night instead of dating the fatso no one wanted.”

Amber leaned on the counter and sucked in air deeply, her eyes flashing with anger. “Darla so needs to disappear from this town,” she ground out.

“Don’t let anyone hear you say that,” I warned, just in case she had plans to make it happen.

“I meant to find a new city, Brady.” She shook her head. “I’m so tired of the way she poisons this town.”

“There’s always one in every town, I’ve learned. Eventually, something will happen to put Darla in her place. When it does, things might change. For now, we have to take care of our cupcake.”

“And you have to trust that I know the best way to do that.”

I held up my hand. “Okay, you’re right. There is so much history between Haylee and Darla, and you and Haylee. I just want to be the one she runs to when she’s scared, not away from.”

“Did you do anything to upset her?” she asked, her head cocked to the side.

I held my hands up against my chest. “Not that I’m aware of, no. I didn’t even get a chance to tell her that I passed my master baker exam and am officially certified. They called me while we were waiting for the judging. By the time I got back into the building, the judges were back with their decision.”

“Brady!” she exclaimed, running around the counter to hug me. “Congratulations! That’s a major accomplishment! I remember when Hay-Hay finally got hers. It’s like getting a master’s degree after years of hard work.”

I patted her back before I released her. “Thank you. It is exciting. It would be more exciting if I weren’t worried about Haylee, but you’re right. It takes four years of hard work even to apply to take the test, so finally getting the accreditation feels wonderful.”

“Why don’t you go home and take a nap? I’ll call you once I talk to Hay-Hay.”

I shook my head, my earlier fatigue vanquished by the coffee and knowing Amber had my back with our girl. “I know I’m not the lead cupcake baker here, but I can hold my own when it comes to making and decorating them. I’m going to get her special orders done for tomorrow, so she can breathe when she comes in tonight. If she comes in tonight,” I added, biting my lip.

“She will,” Amber said with confidence. “This is her business, and she won’t neglect it for long. I can promise you that she knows exactly what she has to do and how long it will take her. If you want to do it, though, I won’t stop you. Besides, it will show her that you’re her partner in the relationship and the bakery. Sometimes seeing someone’s thoughtfulness for where you are in life says more than any words can.”

I pointed at her and winked. “Exactly what I was thinking. You know where I am if you need me.”

I headed straight to the cooler to get the first batch of cupcakes that were already made but not yet decorated. I would work all day and night again if it meant Haylee trusted me to have her back in life.