Chapter 17
1063 Words
“How much was in your wallet?” Clay asked.
“Almost $100. I wish I had more. What about you?”
“After paying, I still had about $75.”
“Good! It looks like things have been rough for her.”
As we pulled into the parking lot at the bakery, Clay’s phone started going crazy with text messages.
I looked over at Clay and he looked at his phone and sighed hard.
“Abby?”
“Yeah..how did you guess?”
“She gave me death stares the entire time we were at breakfast.”
“Sorry.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I love her but she is about to marry another man. I think it’s time for me to let her go.”
“Can I be honest with you?”
“Please.”
“My first boyfriend, I am still in love with and I know it’s hard to let go, but when it’s not healthy for you it’s time.”
“I just…I don’t know.”
“I moved from Florida to Texas. I know.”
“You know what….You’re right.”
I watched as he didn’t respond to the message but deleted the thread and blocked her number.
“I know it hurts but you deserve somebody that doesn’t hide you.”
“You’re right.”
“Are you going back to the Navy?”
“No…Saralynn thought I had enlisted again but I decided not to because I thought it was time to settle down. I got an amazing job as a programmer and I start in a month.”
“You thought she would go with you.”
“I did….this entire time I thought he was picking him because I was gone, but she made it clear it was never me.”
“She is a fool.”
He laughed. “I told you the same thing last night and you rolled your eyes at me.”
“I was also drunk.”
“Fair enough.”
I dropped Clay at his car and made my way to my apartment to go back to sleep on a full belly and still a bit hungover.
I woke the next morning to my alarm going off.
I managed to sleep all day. I went on a run and realized November in Texas was getting too cold and I might need to find a gym.
After my shower, I made my way to the bakery and started working. Around 8 we received the call from Alberto and his order, which was huge.
I was grateful when Saralynn walked through the door to help me make the cheesecakes.
As we baked I told her about Jackson and how I hung out with Clay.
She was shocked about Jackson and Clay.
“I hope Clay doesn’t change his mind.”
“Yeah, I hope he sticks with saying goodbye.” I agreed.
“Marie, can I see you in my office please?” Susan asked.
I made my way to the office and closed the door behind me.
“Marie, I can’t believe you managed to get this deal. I promised you a raise. And because of you, I think I can hire at least one more full-time person and a part-time worker.”
“That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you.”
She slid a piece of paper towards me. “What is this?”
“Take a look.”
I flipped over the paper and my mouth dropped. I couldn’t speak.
“I take it you like your raise.”
“Susan…..this is too much.”
“No, you deserve this and I would like you to start training as another assistant. We are growing so fast I have to put more on Nicky.”
“Thank you!”
“Now I have to try and find a new employee.”
“I might have an idea.”
“I’ll give you a couple of days before I post the job. They would start at the same salary you did when you started.”
A knock at the door interrupted our conversation.
“Ummm Marie, you have a visitor.” Karie, one of the cashiers said.
I stood to leave and I realized it was probably Jackson, with some lame excuse.
“Is it Jackson?”
“No, I don’t know who he is.”
As soon as I stepped out of the back, my mouth went dry. My heart started beating double time and my hands got sweaty.
Luca was standing at the front counter in a fitted suit and a coffee in hand. Part of me wanted to run into his arms and the other part of me wanted to run out the back door.
As soon as his eyes found me, he smiled and all I could think was why did he have to look so good?
“Hey.” He said as soon as I got closer.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered.
“I came to get my girl.”
I looked around. “You can see Chantelle isn’t here. So you should probably leave.”
His smile faded but only for a moment. “I deserve that but we both know I am here for you.”
“How did you find me? You know what I don’t care. You need to leave. This is my job.”
“No. I am going to buy some food and sit over by the window and wait for you to get off work. And if you won’t talk to me I will keep coming back every day until you do.”
“You are infuriating.”
I turned to Karie. “Tell Susan I am taking my 15 and I will be right back.”
I grabbed Luca’s hand and pulled him out the door.
“I need more than 15 minutes.”
“Fine, you can stay in my apartment till I get off work.”
I quickly walked him around to the back and into my apartment.
“When do you get off work?”
I looked at my watch. “Two hours.”
“ OK, I will see you in two hours.” He said with a smile as he made himself comfortable on my couch.
- Writer
