Page 4 of Always the Baker

“I’m going to Ember’s place after work. We’ll probably order in,” I answered, already envisioning the moment when I’d drive away from this place. I knew I spent too much time here to be so depressed by it, but until business picked up and she could hire more help, this was my life.

“Don’t stay out too late, honey. We’ve got that big mug order to finish tomorrow.”

I cringed before chuckling. “Right. Mugs. Can’t wait.” How could I forget about the order for two dozen mugs for a cat club? They wanted two dozen mugs, each one with a cat on it, for their next yarn night. Ugh. Who knew the highlight of my workday would be adding glitter to a toilet for Joe?

Later that Evening

The momentI got into my car, I took the time to check my phone since I tried to stay off it while on the clock. Mom didn’t really care about that as long as I got my work done, but if she saw me with it too much, she’d start watching my moves. I was shocked to see an email with the subject:Can you make my wedding cake?

Tingles shot up my spine as I immediately opened the email. It felt like forever had passed since I made a wedding cake. After the breakup, the last thing I wanted to do was be around all that love. I didn’t want to become a bitter Billie, but that’s how I’d been feeling lately. Would I have been able to be around a bride and not think about my three-year relationship ending? I was tired of being the baker—I wanted to be the bride.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I thought about that episode ofFrasierwhere Roz ranted about all the bridesmaid dresses she had and that she’d never become the bride. There was no other sitcom episode that I agreed with more. But this email was different. Maybe it was because six months had passed, and maybe it was because I needed the moment and a chance to do something I truly loved. Either way, my smile was genuine as I read the email. The bride to be, Jaleesa, gave me all the details about her upcoming winter wonderland wedding.

She said she wasn’t sure about the flavor of the cake or the design, just that she wanted me to create it and was willing to pay for my priority. After shooting her an email to set up a time to meet, I checked the rest of my notifications before heading to Ember’s place. I wasn’t sure when we’d meet and how it wouldgo, but just knowing there was an opportunity for me to get back to baking gave me hope.

That Weekend

Nervously,I headed inside of Steeped. It was a cool tea bar with a massage parlor and bookstore as well. Swayde, the owner, was probably one of the sweetest women I knew. She was truly a sweetheart, and I was glad she’d found love with Titan. There was a time she gave me hope I’d find love for myself, but after Ian, I wasn’t so sure.

He broke something inside of me that shifted the way I thought. The way I felt with men. A part of me no longer felt safe with them. Like I couldn’t trust them. Maybe that was dramatic, but knowing he’d been dissatisfied with our relationship for at least a year without saying something had stuck with me long after I removed him from my life.

It didn’t matter how much I busied myself with work and joked to keep people from knowing how much I was struggling, that last conversation with Ian replayed in my head almost daily. Never in my life had I felt so low.

Pushing those thoughts to the side, I plastered on a smile and made my way to the counter to order. After ordering a cheese pastry with plum jam and a green tea with a splash of cream, I headed to a table in the back so I could people watch. I didn’t know what Jaleesa looked like, but she told me she would have on a dark orange sweater dress. Since she had no idea what she wanted, I brought my idea book for inspiration. The front half had pictures of cakes I’d designed over the years, and the backwas filled with pictures of cakes I wanted to try to duplicate in the future.

It wasn’t until I grabbed my pastry and tea that a woman entered the bar with an orange sweater dress on. She had a glow on her pretty brown face that screamed in love and newly engaged. I gave her a slight wave, causing her to head in my direction as I set my pastry on the table.

“Billie?” she confirmed.

“Yes, hi.” I extended my hand for her to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too! You did my cousin’s cake for her wedding a year ago. As soon as I saw it and had a bite, I said I wanted you for my wedding.”

“And here we are. I love that!”

We continued to make small talk for a few seconds about her cousin and my previous work before she left to order a mug of tea. When she returned to the table, I was halfway done with my pastry and tempted to get another one. There was something about jam on a warm cheese pastry that was almost sinful to me.

“So… I’m sure your time is limited, but do you mind waiting a few minutes for my fiancé?” Jaleesa confirmed as she sat back down.

Nodding, I wiped the corners of my mouth. “Not at all.” Thankfully, we were closed today, so I didn’t have to go to work. “I can wait.”

“Yay! He’s the typical man and isn’t interested in being involved but I made him promise to at least be involved with the menu.”

We shared a quiet laugh as I nodded. “I can’t count how many times I’ve heard that. Most guys like this part because they at least get to eat good.”

“I’m excited about the samples.”

“Me too! I haven’t been baking lately, so I’m looking forward to doing your samples. I usually only do three, but you’ll probably get six different flavors to choose from.”

“Ooh, my mouth is watering already.”

The bell chimed and my eyes lifted toward the door. At the sight of Ian, I choked on my pastry. It went down the wrong pipe or something, causing me to clutch my throat as I coughed. Jaleesa leaped from her seat and lifted my arms. As she patted my back, I kept my glistening eyes on Ian, praying he didn’t come to our table.

He did.

Was he coming to help me?

Surely he couldn’t have been coming because he was her fiancé.

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