Page 43 of Only Ever You
Somehow, her sense of protectiveness settled me and balanced me. I still felt a little staticky inside, and my heart felt hollow, but I kept my eyes on my mother and calmly said, “I’m not sure what you expected after all this time, but I don’t really need you now.”
My mother stared at me, her eyes going a little wide and tears shimmering there. Maybe that should’ve hurt, and I should’ve felt something more, but I just didn’t. I didn’t owe her anything. I couldn’t say anything more and turned and walked to the back. I distantly heard Maisie saying, “You can’t go back there. That’s for staff only.” Her tone was clear and determined as if she was disciplining a child.
I kept it together long enough to go through the back to grab my jacket and walk out to my truck in the back parking lot. I climbed in and pulled up Leo’s text, immediately leaving a message for the therapist.
When Luna texted me later, for the first night since I’d gotten back from the fire, I didn’t go over there. I told her I didn’t feel good, but I didn’t tell her why. Of course, to make matters more complicated, Fuzzy was staying at her place. He adored Luna. Iknew he was technically my dog, and he adored me too, but her place was better. She had more space, and she could let him run loose there.
Chapter Twenty-Six
LUNA
“What do you think?” Janet asked.
“Are you really serious about this?” I looked from Janet to my grandmother uncertainly.
Janet reached across the table, curling her weathered hands around both of mine and squeezing. “Absolutely.” She released my hands and leaned back in her chair. “I’ve already talked to my accountant and my attorney. It’s all set up. You just need to decide if this is what you want. You’ll still be able to bake your donuts, but taking on the café is, well, something else. That’s why I structured this the way I did. I’ll maintain ownership for five years. I’ll hire you as a manager. After three years, I’ll start tapering off my time there. I want to be able to work as long as I can, but I know I can’t work full-time forever. With this plan, if something changes, like my health or something, then you can just slide right in.”
I took a quick breath. “I absolutely want this. I just can’t believe it.”
Janet smiled warmly. “I’ve been worrying on what to do with my business for years. You know your grandma is one of my best friends. Since you were a little girl, I’ve considered you anhonorary granddaughter and had you in mind for this. Then you moved away, so I wasn’t sure what to do until you came back.”
“The RV life upended so many things,” I said dryly.
“Something like that,” Janet replied with a shrug.
“I think you should do it, Luna,” my grandmother chimed in. “You’ll love it. It’s a great fit for you. The business is stable enough that you’ll have staff and you can keep baking. You have a place to live, and you’ll have the café.” My grandmother let out a little happy sound. “You’ll be settled, which I know is what you always wanted.”
I glanced between them. “I love you both so much!” I exclaimed.
Stella beamed at me. “I love this for you!” She was handling the legal paperwork for Janet’s plan for the cafe.
“I love it too,” I said. “I’m nervous. A little.”
Stella tipped her head to the side, her gaze studying me quietly. “Okay, hear me out. You’re already making the best donuts in the universe.” She gestured with her hand in a big circle in the air. “You already help out front. You’re just gonna step in and be in charge.” She nodded vigorously in emphasis.
“I know, but Janet is the center of Firehouse Café. Honestly, she’s the center of Willow Brook.” I let out a quick sigh. “How will it be when I’m the owner? What if everybody just stops coming?”
Stella sat back in her chair, her gaze softening. “Okay, I understand. I’m newer to town than you. Janet might be the glue that holds so many people together.” She pressed her palm to her chest. “She’s always wonderful, but she also makes killer coffee and has amazing food. I don’t think the business would beas solid as it is if she hadn’t made strategic choices, no matter how nice she is. You’re not planning any changes, except even better baked goods. They run out of donuts literally every day because you can’t bake them fast enough.”
A flush of pride rose inside, and I felt my lips curling into a smile. “Okay. It’s just I kind of can’t believe it.”
“Well, you’d better believe it,” she replied with a grin.
“What if people think I’m trying to take it from Janet?”
“Oh, my God! You worry more than me. Nobody will think that. Janet is one-hundred percent of sound mind. She can’t work forever, so she’s making plans. Take a deep breath and let yourself enjoy this moment. You know what I think?”
“Um, all of that?” I returned.
“Well, yes, and this calls for a girls’ night. Maybe not cards because we just did that last week, but I’m gonna message our group chat. Let’s go to the winery for dinner and drinks. We need to celebrate you and your future.” Her thumbs were already tapping away on her phone screen.
Seconds later, my phone vibrated on the table with her text. Replies came in fast. She set her phone on the table and tidied up the papers, tucking them into a file folder. “Speaking of your future, how are things with Parker?”
Before I even opened my mouth, my expression must’ve given me away. My heart felt a little bruised. I didn’t know why, but it seemed as if Parker was vaguely avoiding me. I still had Fuzzy, which was fine because I loved that dog to pieces, but something felt out of whack.
I quickly filled her in, ending with, “And, I don’t know!” I lifted my hands and let them fall. “I feel so stupid.”
“Don’t. You haven’t done anything wrong,” Stella assured me.
