Page 19 of Dirty Arrangement

“Change can be good,” she says.

I startle. “I guess it can.”Change... my whole life has changed ever since...

“Delivery!” a man in a brown uniform brushes around the crowd to set a long box in front of me. “Alice Bright?” I nod curiously. “Sign here.”

“What's that?” Ms. Snip asks after I scribble my name.

“I don't have a clue.”

“Hm.” Shrugging, she reaches for the cake-bombs I've wrapped, then passes me a ten dollar bill. “Open it up!”

Shooting her a nervous look, I carefully open the package. Inside, folded cleanly, are three new chef jackets like the one I have on, but instead of pink, there's a aqua-green, a purple, and a sunset orange one. Thomas must have sent them.

“Wow,” she sighs. “How pretty. I like the pink, but it's nice to see other colors.” She backs away. “I need to get going. See you tomorrow, Alice!”

My mind is buzzing. Thomas sent me new chef coats. Herememberedwhat I said about my favorite color. I want to sit back and absorb this but the rush of customers consumes everything I have. I'm dancing around, baking, decorating, selling, until my display case is bare and I'm locking the front doors.

Wiping my forehead, I take a long, calming breath.What a day.Finally, I can focus on the box of chef coats. I take them out one by one, marveling that Thomas sewed these just for me.He really is very talented. I'd love to meet his mother someday.The idea twists my heart into a tortured knot.Why would I ever get that opportunity? He won't even talk to me anymore.

When I hold the orange one against my body, I notice some papers in the bottom of the box.A letter?I hope it's from Thomas. I'm desperate for any word from him. Lifting the paperwork, I read the familiar words, see my old signature, and my confusion blooms. It's the contract I have with Thomas. Or had, because I see he's added a newly printed and signed piece at the end.

The contract has been voided by him.

On top of that, it says he's given the bakery... to me.

I sit down heavily at the tiny table. “What the hell?” I ask the air. Why would Thomas void our contract, why give me the bakery after everything he put me through? He's ghosting me, that's clear, but this... this was the one thing tying us together. And now he's ended it.

Endedus.

Shaking so hard the contract falls from my fingers, I stare at it on the table. I'm cold from anguish.Thomas doesn't want anything to do with me.What happened? I cover my mouth, doing my best not to cry. I'm getting upset at how much this is bothering me. The guy was my boss, that was all!

No. He was more.

I can't pretend what we had was just a business arrangement. Rubbing my wet eyes, I look around the bakery, thinking about everything he changed here.Change.Ms. Snip's words flow through my subconscious.

Change can be good.

That's what she said to me.

Frowning sharply, I jump to my feet with determination. Thomas thinks he can vanish without saying goodbye?

He's dead wrong.

****

“EXCUSE ME!” VIOLETsputters, rising to her feet as I march out of the elevator with purpose. “You can't just walk in here! Hey!”

Once upon a time she was intimidating to me. “Is he in there?” I point.

“Yes, but—excuse me ma'am I saidstop!”

Her voice gets louder when I push Thomas's office door wide open. He's sitting behind his desk in his wing-backed leather chair. Normally his eyes are piercing, but when he sees me, his eyebrows fly up. I surprised him. Good.

The secretary tries to block me, looking flustered. “I'm so sorry, Mr. Volt! She just busted inside before I could do anything! I'll call security right away!”

“No.” His hand rises to stop her. “It's fine. Leave us alone.”

“But, sir...”

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