Page 23 of Jack

I smile knowing that they are selling fast. My original flavors sell every day, but my new and weird flavors are picking up sales. Darcy has Drix helping her create flavors of ice cream, so I decided to ask him to make me some creations. So far some of his extreme, strange flavors have not sold while some others have.

I collect the newest batch and carry them to the front, smiling at the line from the counter to the door.

Today is Tuesday and it is ‘Tasty Tuesday’ where I have free samples at the counter.

“I will load up the bowl, and you can keep serving,” I tell her.

“They are flying out the door. The girls are run off their feet cleaning tables so other customers can sit down. Girl, how thehell do you do this every day?” Kady asks me with wide eyes, which shows her admiration for me and my staff.

“We just do it.” I shrug.

“Hi, what can I get you?” Kady asks the next customer.

I go ahead and fill the shelves and the bowls full of new product: candies, lollipops, and pastries. Kady and my other girls help keep the store going, while I dash back and forth making new things to be added up front, plus refilling what I have previously made as they fly out the door like Kady said.

Days like today make me sit back and cherish all my support and the hard work that it took to be here. Yeah, I had the money to start up my business, but it was hard work getting people in the door and to take a chance on me with their custom cake needs.

My mother never believed in me, my sister used to make fun of me for wanting to stay at home, cooking or watching baking shows while she was out partying and hooking-up with any boy who gave her attention.

We are literally like chalk and cheese.

My father believes in me, and so did my grandparents, and that is all I needed to kick my butt into gear and actually get my career moving.

The day passes in a blur of customers, sweet candy, and pastries. By the end of the day I am smiling from ear to ear. Knowing we sold out of a lot today, the Tuesday promotions are working, thanks to Risky suggesting it.

After pressing the dishwasher power button, I walk out to help Kady and the girls finish cleaning up, but I see that they are not alone. My heart stutters in my chest at seeing who is standing in my store.

Kady looks over her shoulder at me, a frown on her face.

“Cora, Martine, you girls can go. Thank you so much for today; Kady and I can finish up.” I keep my voice chipper, not to let on that my insides are shaking.

I have not seen Christopher since the meal my entire family was at, where he proposed to Vanessa, and they quickly turned it into an engagement meal. I was forced to sit through all their exaggerated sweetness, and it made my stomach hurt watching them.

Not once did I feel jealous, but I felt shame and humiliation.

“Why are you here?” I ask, stepping toward Kady once the girls have left.

“Your mother said that you had not RSVP’d to the wedding invite. Don’t you think it is a little childish that you are refusing to attend your cousin’s and my wedding?” His voice is deep and condescending.

My body stiffens when he speaks to me. I hate that he makes me feel like a freaking child; he used to do it when we were together, so I am used to that.

It feels like he watched how my mom spoke to me, and he took notes from her.

“I did not think that I needed to, Christopher.” His name tastes vile on my tongue. “I spoke to my mother on the phone, and we sorted things out.”

He smirks at me in that way that makes one’s skin crawl, and I shiver. Kady notices, and she takes a step closer to me.

“By sorting it out, you mean by you hiring some punk to be your date? Again, with those pathetic childish ways, Lilith.”

“Lilith does not need to pay anyone to be her date, fuckface. Her boyfriend will be with her,” Kady growls.

Like actually growls and it makes me smile.

I love that I have her here to support me. I freaking hate how these people make me feel; I think it is time for me to stand up for myself. My aunt and uncle, Kady’s parents support me, theyare the ones on my father’s side that hate my mother and that side of the family.

Plus, I think that I have the club at my back if I need them.

He scoffs. “Boyfriend. Lilith, we both know that you do not have a boyfriend, your parents would have told Vanessa and me. Stop with these lies. Grow up.”

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