Page 100 of Sugar Rush

“I’m sorry I called you a bitch,” Sebastian said at length.

I smiled wryly.“Well, technically you didn’t get the full word out before Rick punched you.”

He winced.“I think I probably deserved it.I do love you, Maddie.I genuinely wanted to help you.We could get our family established, and then you could make a proper go of the baking thing.”

The way he said the baking thingmade me see red.“All this time, I thought you not saying anythingagainstmy business meant you supported it.But actually, you were biding your time until you could maneuver me into what you wanted me to be.”I was angry, but my words came out soft and sad.“I meant what I said earlier.I take some responsibility for what happened.But it’s over, Seb.I don’t want to see you again.”

His shoulders slumped.He looked defeated.

“I’d even made appointments at some wedding venues,” he said eventually.

“Without even speaking to me?There you go again, just choosing stuff without asking if I want to be involved!”I heard my voice rising and clamped my mouth shut.Why was I engaging?I didn’t want to be with him anymore.

Looking at him, sitting there, tired and sad, I felt…

A big fat nothing.

“We’re done.”I pushed my chair back.“You can stay tonight.But tomorrow, you need to either be flying home, or staying elsewhere.”

And I took myself upstairs to the bedroom, shutting the door tight.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

In the morning, I woke wondering if I’d still find Seb downstairs.

Rick and I had texted on and off for a couple of hours after yesterday evening’s events, and he’d told me to call him if I needed him, for anything, whatever the hour.

Each one of his messages had filled me with warmth, and I’d reassured him that I really was fine before recording and sending a “good night, I wish I could tuck you in myself” voice note.

He’d sent a husky-voiced one back.“You have no idea how much I want that.”

When I got downstairs, I saw that a folded piece of paper with my name on it in front of the coffee maker.

I yawned hugely as I opened it to see a couple of lines of Seb’s handwriting.

Maddie,

Flight leaves tomorrow at 2pm.I’m going to see a little of Louisville until then.

If you change your mind, call me.

Seb

I was not going to call him.

The door to that part of my life was firmly shut, never to be re-opened, I thought with relief, texting Rick to let him know Sebastian no longer occupied my house.

He replied withGood.Let me know if you want to talk.Got my support group this morning, but have a little time before.

I assured him I was happy.I wouldn’t get in the way of his veterans’ group.Besides, Lara had texted to see if I wanted to catch up over a coffee.I met her at the window-service coffee part of the grocer’s on Otter Street and then we walked to the lake with our bagels and drinks.

We laughed about the quirks of Asian parents and she told me how much she loved my recent videos.

I promised myself I’d keep in more regular contact with her when I got home.Time zones sucked, but they ultimately weren’t a barrier to friendship, unless you let them be.

When I got back, I made another batch ofang paocookies.They would usually only be made on Lunar New Year or on the Autumn Festival, but they were one of the most requested orders from my online store, and while I was here, I wanted to show off.I parcelled up two to bring over to Rick’s place later, and sealed the rest in containers to keep them fresh for the bakery tomorrow.

My post of Cathy’s wedding cake was attracting steady attention.It wasn’t my favourite cake I had made, but considering it’d been short noticeandI had used someone else’s oven, I was very proud of the results.

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