Page 28 of Emma and the Grumpy Baker

I nearly balked at the low number. Sales had dropped thirty percent in the last seven days, which was a huge percentage. The business was doing fine, but these numbers weren’t exactly profitable.

“Been pretty slow,” said the manager I’d hired. Drew worked five days a week and kept everything on schedule, so I knew he would have the information I needed. “SinceThe Pink Bakerygot so popular, we’ve had a lot less foot traffic.”

I’d hoped that was the reason, and I wasn’t even mad about it. Honestly, that was exactly what I needed to happen.

Odd, that now I was wishing for my business to do less just so that Emma’s could do more.

“That’s alright. I’ll check back in a few days just to see how things are going. I’m not worried about it.”

Drew gave me a look that told me he absolutely thought that I was crazy. And I was. But again, I was okay with that.

#

The next day, I couldn’t stay away. After finishing my morning run, I showered and changed as fast as possible to go to Emma’s bakery again. She wouldn’t be open for another hour, but I wanted to see how things were going.

I arrived at her store thirty minutes before she was to open, and already, there were people in line outside. The grin on my face couldn’t be stopped as I walked around the back of the building and slipped into the kitchen.

“Need a hand? You already have a huge line out there.” Anne and Emma looked at me and both of them broke out into a smile at my appearance.

“Thank Ganache, you’re here. I don’t know if we’ll finish everything in time! And I don’t think either one of us will be able to keep baking once it’s open.” Emma looked stressed and happy all at once, and it was a beautiful sight.

“Just tell me what to do.”

For the next hour, I baked cookies and cinnamon rolls. Anne finished the donuts and iced them. When six rolled around, Emma went out to the front and unlocked the door, turning on the open sign. The customers outside rushed in and Emma took their orders as fast as possible. I could tell she was struggling to get it all done and move the line at an appropriate pace, so as soon as I put the last batch of cinnamon rolls on the cooling rack, I went out front to help her. She took orders while I retrieved them and gave them to the customers.

“Wait,” Emma said, turning to look at me as she waited for the next customer to fish money out of his wallet. “You need an apron.”

She ran, literally, to the back and reemerged with a bubblegum pink apron that matched hers. I lifted a brow at her and shook my head slowly, but she attacked so fast that I didn’t have time to move. I was in a tight space as it was. The apron went over my head and she let it fall around me, then forcibly turned me by placing her hands on my waist. Quickly, she tied the apron around me. When I turned back around, the customers cheered and Emma looked at me with a triumphant smile.

“One more thing!” She held up her finger and pulled her phone from her pocket. I crossed my arms over my chest, frowning as she took a picture, even though I secretly loved it. The happiness on her face made it all worth it. “There! Now all the followers can see that you’re our newest team member!”

More cheers erupted from the small crowd in the store, and I gave them a small wave.

Throughout the day, my role changed as I did my best to help Emma. There was a constant stream of customers that never seemed to end, but by the last hour of Emma’s store being opened, things were sold out. She promised to make more tomorrow to everyone who didn’t get what they wanted, and the guilt was evident on her face.

I even helped her clean up after everyone finally left, and she hummed to the music that played over the speakers as we worked around each other.

“Liam?” She called, and I looked up from where I was wiping down the last table. Her lips curled up as our eyes met. “Thank you for helping. I obviously need another employee.”

“No thanks needed, Em.”

“No really, thank you. I’m sure your store needed you today, too.”

“Nah, it’s a pretty well-oiled machine over there. They’re fine. And they haven’t been that busy anyway.” I shrugged, smiling at her before returning to my task. I expected her to go back to humming, but instead, the sound of her approaching footsteps was the only music I heard.

I stood up straight as she approached. Her brows were scrunched together as she thought about something.

“Is your store slow because of me?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I shrugged again, not wanting her to feel as though her success was drowning mine. Even if that was true. “It’s probably just lost its allure.”

“I didn’t ever want my store to hurt yours.” She looked down at her hands, and I could see where her thoughts were spiraling.

I pulled her chin up, our faces in the same position as yesterday, just before she hugged me. I could only hope that today would go differently.

“I would prefer that, actually. If your store puts mine out of business, I will celebrate with you.” I contemplated my next words, but decided that if I never said bold things, I couldn’t expect her to want to be with me ever again. “Actually, all I care about is your success. And more importantly, your happiness.”

Her eyes were watery again, and I pulled her to me, my lips hovering over hers. I didn’t want to kiss her if she didn’t want this, so I would let her close the final gap.

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