Page 36 of Make You Mine

I had no desire to even think about Something Sweet or Dana and Richard, so I didn’t. I could deal with that later; there was still plenty of time left until the bakery was scheduled to open anyway.

And as for Cody, maybe I’d ask Ren to help me find good legal advice. Ultimately, I could open a new bakery if I had to, but Cody was irreplaceable.

I was feeding Smog and Nimbus in the kitchen when I heard a knock at the door. My heart skidded to a halt in my chest, and I glanced at the clock. It was early, and I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I moved cautiously toward the door. Even though I was rejoining the land of the living, I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it.

Through the peephole, I saw Violet, holding baby Lyla—the namesake of Ren and Jake’s mother. I threw open the door, and Violet greeted me with a warm, yet slightly knowing, and a little bit smug smile. We’d been best friends since kindergarten, and if anyone could get me to spill my guts, it was her, and she knew it.

“I’m not here to force you into talking to me and butt into your business. I know how you operate, and you’ll tell me everything when you’re ready. Here, take her.” An attempt at reverse psychology—nice. She thrust Lyla into my arms, and my heart melted. It had been too long since I’d held this little angel. “I brought coffee and breakfast from the shop. It’s in the car. I’ll be right back. Oh, and Jake is on the way.” Violet owned a coffee shop in Sweetbriar, the next town over. I used to step in and run the shop for her along with her sister, Holly, when she’d been too pregnant and miserable to work, and I’d often bake with her in the morning whenever I was free.

She darted off, down the porch steps toward her car, leaving me standing in the doorway with Lyla. I cradled her soft, tiny form against my chest and felt a soothing sense of calm wash over me.

I settled on the couch, with Lyla nestled comfortably in my arms. The smell of fresh coffee and pastries permeated the air as Violet reappeared, balancing two steaming cups and a paper bag. She placed it all on the coffee table with a look of sympathy on her face.

At first, we sipped our coffee in companionable silence, broken only by Lyla’s adorable coos. But soon enough, I felt words bubbling up inside me, the need to confide in Violet like I always had, but I couldn’t make them come out when it was only more of the same. Nothing good ever lasted for me and I didn’t want to dump any more of my self-pitying bullcrap on her.

For now, my life was a mess, and pulling myself out of it would be a struggle.

“You don’t have to talk,” she said. “I’m just here to let you know that I love you. Jake is on the way from his office. I know this is a hard time, but he can help you get rid of Dana and probably get Cody back too. I want you to let him.”

“I love you, too, and I’m not in the mood to talk about anything, so thank you for being here. Silent comfort works too. And, about Jake, yeah, I need help, and I’ll take him up on it. I might be a pacifist at heart, but I’m not stupid.”

“You’re not stupid. You’re a fighter. And I’m here for you. Always.” She shot me a sidelong glance as she sipped her coffee. “You know you’re not the mess you think you are.”

“How do you always know what I’m thinking?” Despite my grim mood, I burst into laughter. “Quit reading my mind.”

She shook her head, her expression still warm but insistent. “You know I can sit here all day if you’d like. We’re in no rush. I know you too well, and I know you’re worried and stressed out. I also know you don’t want to be a burden when you think I’m busy with the baby.”

“Well, yeah. You just gave birth; it hasn’t been that long. That isn’t easy. You must be exhausted.”

“I’m doing great. Jake is wonderful with Lyla. So, I’m plenty rested. But you don’t have to tell me anything. I made you a promise when I got here.”

“I’ll snap out of it,” I assured her.” I always do. I just need to reassess my expectations, so I stop setting myself up to get hurt.”

“I get that. Just don’t give up.”

What I didn’t tell her was that I already had given up. I was never falling in love again—ever.

Violet had a way of making me feel seen, even when I felt most invisible. As the minutes ticked by, the silence between us grew comfortable and comforting.

Jake stopped by after we’d finished with our coffee. Lyla had fallen asleep in my arms, so Violet got up to let him in.

“Hey,” he whispered. “I can only stay a minute. Did you have a chance to talk?”

“She’s on board,” Violet informed him.

“Yes,” I agreed. “I want to hire you. I know I need help. I have no idea where even to begin to fix this.”

“Good, I do, so don’t worry. For now, and I know this will be hard, just steer clear of them. No contact. Let them keep Cody for now. We want as much of what we do to be a surprise.” His smile was reassuring and so much like Ren’s, it was uncanny. “I’m going to turn around and get back to the office. Piper, you’re family and we will get you through this. I promise.”

As he left, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and relief for their friendship.

“He’s right, you know,” Violet said softly, breaking me out of my thoughts. “We’re family. I’m glad you’re letting him help. I don’t want them taking advantage of you. You’re too kindhearted sometimes. That sounded terrible.” She laughed lightly. “How is being too kind a problem?”

“No, I get what you mean.” I smiled. “I need to stick up for myself more. And thanks, Vi. I appreciate you two more than I can say.”

Lyla stirred slightly in my arms, her tiny fingers curling around a strand of my hair, and I sighed.

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