Page 66 of Frosting and Flames

“Kyle was interested in Kyle,” is all she says, which doesn’t really answer my question, and also explains everything.

We sit in silence as I think some more about what to do until Sydney asks, “Do you actually go to small business association meetings?”

“Yeah.”

She shakes her head in disgust. “God, you’re boring. You’re lucky anyone likes you.”

I’d punch her arm, but I don’t want to mess up the cake she’s working on. “Just remember who does the schedule. Someone might not get weekends off in a long time.”

She rolls her eyes, even as she grins. “Like that was going to happen, anyway.” She shifts, leaning away from the cake, but doesn’t look at me. “But maybe I could go with you to one of those meetings sometime?”

Well, this is a new development.

I keep my expression as neutral as I can, not wanting to scare her off. “Yeah, sure. Why, um, the sudden change of heart?”

She shrugs, then goes back to decorating. “I don’t know. I was thinking about the advertising thing. I guess I should be more involved, especially with Mom and Dad gone. They probably dumped a lot on your plate, huh?”

“Honestly, I was doing most of it, anyway.” And in some ways, it’s easier without them here. I don’t have to pretend like I’m asking permission for something we all know is in the best interest of the bakery.

“Oh. That doesn’t seem fair.”

“You know I get paid more, right? Because of all the extra stuff I do?”

She pauses. “I didn’t know that. I guess it makes sense, though. Since you have a degree and all.”

Sydney had no interest in going to college after high school, preferring to go full-time at the bakery instead. Hailey is still working on her degree, going part-time online.

“But we’re doing okay?” she continues. “The bakery, I mean?”

“Yeah, we’re fine.” Now. It was a different story two years ago. Did Sydney ever even know?

She seems relieved. “Good. I got worried for a minute since you were advertising.”

“No, advertising is a good thing. It means we have enough to invest in our business to grow it. And you saw the response. People want our products.” Normally, I wouldn’t talk to her about this. But since she asked to be included… “I’ve actually been thinking we should hire someone else for the bakery.” It’s either that or close one or two days a week, and no one wants that.

She frowns. “We already did that. Desiree is working the counter on the weekends.”

“I’m not talking about a high schooler who can work a cash register. I mean a baker. Then we can actually take two days off a week again. And maybe cut back to eight-hour days again, too.”

“That’d be amazing. Would they stay on after Mom and Dad get back?”

I bite my thumbnail. “I don’t know. That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. Ideally yes, though.”

I haven’t talked to Mom and Dad about the idea yet. To be fair, I tried during our last conversation before Mom derailed everything.

She nods, considering it. “Well, keep me posted. I… I’d like a say in who we hire.”

I nudge her shoulder. “Look at you being all professional.”

She rolls her eyes. “All right. Enough of that.”

Heading back to the office with a grin on my face, I plop down in the desk chair, my smile slowly slipping. What I need is to figure out what to do about Nick.

Before it’s too late.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

NICK

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