Page 6 of Sugar, Sprinkles, and Secrets
“I haven’t asked her out since she said she wanted to be friends in January.”
“So, maybe instead of talking to me, don’t you think you should have a conversation with the baker? See if her feelings have changed since then? You know, for such a brilliant guy, you really can be an idiot.”
“Kettle black, man. Or did you want me to start asking questions about your intentions with Tinsley in our group chat with her brother?”
“You abso-fucking-lutely do not need to do that. That situation is delicate. You know, you called me.”
“I did, and you actually helped. Thanks, I’ll talk to Cara and go from there.”
“Okay, if she checks yes on the note you pass her in algebra, tell me about it at recess.”
“Asshole.”
“Undeniable. But still your best friend. So, when you do grow some balls and talk to her, let me know how it goes, alright?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” We disconnect and I toss my phone on the desk. Could it really be that easy that I just had to ask her out again? Sometimes, the best solutions are the least complex, but my gut says it’s not going to be that simple.
It’s too bad my gut is always right.
Chapter five
“As we come back to the present, take one more long, grateful, and life-giving breath, filling your lungs with positive energy. And as you exhale, let go of any tension that was lingering or any self-doubt that may linger. Namaste.” The vibrant green eyes of my one real friend dance with delight when I finally do open my eyes.
“Girl, your form is improving so much! I’m so impressed with how much stronger you’re getting. How do you feel?” Cameron Walsh, or Cami as everyone calls her, is the embodiment of calming energy. When she offered to have me join her for yoga six months ago, I didn’t realize she was a certified teacher and would be leading it, but I quickly began to look forward to the Monday afternoon sessions. We usually meet outside her RV if the weather permits, but today is raining, so she came to my loft apartment over the bakery. She has her deep auburn hair with subtle dark purple streaks in a cute ponytail today, something that probably took her five seconds, but it would take me a solid hour not to look like a founding father. Cami manages Java Jive, which is how we met when I picked up an order of fresh roasted coffee beans for Sprinkles. Both of us start our days very early, and she’s always been flexible with my availability. As much as I love Dante and Mila, I can’t fully relax into my breath and downward dog if I’m keeping an eye on my rambunctious minions.
“Good, and I can tell. I feel like my shoulders aren’t as tight at the end of a long day as they used to be, so thanks for that!”She will tell me not to pay her, and I’ll end up sending her money anyway, so I avoid the typical argument all together as I pick up my phone and send cash her way.
“Cara, I told you. That’s not necessary. I’m here as your friend, and plus, I get just as much out of our sessions as you do.” Cami shakes her head as she rolls up her mat. I know she’s borderline allergic to asking for any help, but I also know that winter in her RV is cold, and I wish she would take the offer to live in the apartment over Java Jive. The owners told her a month ago that it would be available soon, but Cami insists that she isn’t ready to let go of her RV yet because that would make Forrest Falls feel too permanent.
The reality is, I think CamiwantsForrest Falls to be permanent, maybe even with her whole heart, but I know exactly what it’s like to wish for something so much that you can’t even bring yourself to admit it. We dance around our trauma and both recognize the other holds secrets, but Cami never makes me feel bad for holding back information. It’s that blue energy vibe—calming and peaceful, no matter the tides of life. But the thing about true friendship is that you don’t have to bare your soul to have something solid, you just have to be willing to love the other person, extend grace when necessary, and do your best to show up for them. It sounds simple, but like most things in life, it’s anything but.
“Mind your elders, Cameron Angelica Walsh,” I try to scold her, but she just tosses a throw pillow at me from my couch as she sits down and tucks her legs under herself. “Although, sometimes I forget that I’m ten years older than you; you must be an old soul.”
“One, that’s not my middle name, and two, I think our souls just recognize each other and age is just a number. I’ve met plenty of twenty-one-year-olds that act more like your three-year-old niece than a peer, so if that makes me an old soul, sign me up.” Cami takes a drink from her water bottle as I join her on the other end of my sofa. “I forgot to tell you … or I was procrastinating telling you.” She scrunches up her nose at her admission. “Liam Callahan came into Java Jive with Savannah yesterday.”
My eyes widen at that little bomb. “How did you hold that in for this long? How did it go?”
“I was like an awkward baby deer and stumbled away. In my head, that was going to go so much better than it did, but I wish all of it was easier, you know?” I do know. It’s hard to withhold information from someone, even if it’s what you think is for the best. And maybe it really is for the best in the long term, but man, it can hurt like hell in the short term.
While our situations are very different, I know better than anyone else that sometimes you have to put someone else’s well-being before your wants and needs, even if the cost is your own heart. Before I can follow up with fifty-two questions, my cell buzzes with a text from downstairs.
Betty
Sorry Cara, looks like we have a rush from some meeting at Lux today. When you get a sec, I could use a hand!
I read the text out loud as we both stand to head out the door. If Sprinkles is slammed, it’s a good bet Java Jive is too. “Can we continue this conversation over a bottle of wine soon? I want to hear everything,” I ask my friend as I give her a hug.
“I would appreciate that, thank you. I’ll text you if anything else happens.” I give her shoulder a squeeze before slipping on my shoes and heading down the backstairs that connect to Sprinkles. I wave goodbye to Cami as she slips out the back door, then slide my apron on and wash my hands quick before going up front. Betty was right, we are slammed. Typically, Lux keeps their events at the headquarters in Nashville, but occasionally they host smaller events at their Forrest Falls location. When that happens, the town will get an influx of visitors coming over from Nashville, which I’m guessing is what happened today. Their building is just at the end of the block, but almost everything in Forrest Falls is within walking distance once you’re downtown.I take stock of the display case and slip back into the kitchen to restock some items before jumping in to help ring up orders. There’s something almost therapeutic about getting lost in a busy rush, and typically when people are in a bakery, they’re happy for whatever they are about to order.
“Hey, Cara.” My head snaps up and words escape me as Max gives me one of his beautiful smiles. Is it fair that a man is that beautiful? But I’ve seen his brothers, and both Chase and Tommy are beautiful in their own right too. “How are you?”
Miserable without you.
Angry that I can’t just be with you.
Mad that my brother put us in this position.
Bitter that I can’t do anything about it—at least not today.
