Page 24 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes
Overwhelmed? Alone?Or, maybe, Candace was just projecting.
Demi gave a belated answer after taking a heaping bite of her gyro. “If you ask me, she’s stuck.”
“‘Stuck?’”
“Well, think about it. Zee has been tethered to that bagelstand since her parents’ accident. Before that, even, with how much she worked when we were kids. Like you said, she’s good at it. But I don’t think her heart has been in it for a long time. And…”
“What?”
Demi bit her lip, looking uncomfortable. “They say she won't leave the island.”
“You mean she’s a homebody?”
“No. I mean, she hasn’t left Wonderwood in over a decade. She keeps to herself.”
Completely to herself, or…?Candace plugged her mouth with a hot, salty steak fry before she could embarrass herself asking about Daisy’s dating history.
Swallowing, she mused, “Maybe she just needs help. With the right push, I think Bagel Bombs! could take off. Then, I could start to put my life back on track.”
“You will. Even if this isn’t your path, you’ll find your way, Can-can. No matter what, I’m here for you.”
Candace grimaced at the nickname. Demi knew she hated it and only whipped it out when she was trying to be particularly annoying or earnest. An uncomfortable tightness pressed Candace’s chest in a physical manifestation of how trapped she felt. Thishadto work, otherwise…
To cover her unease, Candace navigated taking a bite of her gyro. The burst of flavor was a welcome distraction. Earthy herb-spiced lamb, juicy beefsteak tomato, crunchy red onions, lettuce, and feta crumbles were ensconced within warm, pillowy pita in an irresistible combination. Her shoulders lost some of their tension as she chewed, and she did not rush to wipe the tzatziki sauce dripping down her chin.
Face pinched with worry, Demi cleaned Candace herself. “Honestly. Just because your life is a mess right now doesn’t mean you have to eat like one.”
Candace gave a ditzy shrug. “I might be a mess, but at least I’m cute. Look at you. Just can’t help taking care of me after all these years, can you?”
“Brat. And you won’t even tip me these days.”
Candace stuck out her tongue, then took another graceless bite. Demi smiled fondly and pulled another wad of napkins from the dispenser. Dependable, loving Demi; Candace knew she would always have her best interests at heart.
They met shortly after Candace came to Wonderwood, during the brief period that Uncle Perry and his friends were trying to court Demi’s aunt for some project they wanted greenlit. Along with being a long-time restaurateur, the indomitable woman was also a town council member. She was not amused by their brownnosing and made it known that all they were buying was her delicious food.
Uncle Perry was disappointed and carried on his vendetta to this day. Candace, meanwhile, had gotten a best friend.
“How’s your Aunt Anathea?” Candace watched the woman behind the diner’s wrap-around counter and noted, “She hasn’t changed one bit. You mentioned things have been awkward since the divorce?”
“That’s a word for it,” Demi mumbled. She filled her mouth with gyro, looking sullen. It wasveryawkward. Introducing her aunt’s husband to his future affair partner, one of her studio’s other yoga teachers, no less, had been an accident. Even so, it put a dent in Demi’s once-close relationship with her aunt.
After making eye contact from across the diner, Aunt Anathea stopped by their table for a hello. To Demi, or Demitria as she greeted formally, there was a distinct coldness. Candace was a different story. Never one for physical boundaries, the woman bent into the booth and yanked Candace close for a side-hug.
“Omorfi mou!It’s been too long! You’re so grown up and lovely, but you still have an appetite!”
“Thank you, Ms. Panopoulos. I’ve missed your cooking. New York gyros don’t have anything on yours.”
Pulling back, big, gleaming teeth flashed with the woman’s smile. The physical resemblance between her and Demi wasstrong, like looking at future or past versions of the same person. Especially their eyes; their kind, brown warmth they both possessed was like warm cocoa on a chilly day. She pinched Candace’s cheek, chiding, “It’s ‘TheiaThea’ to you. Are you visiting?”
“No, I’m… um…”
“She’s sussing out some new opportunities in the area,” Demi answered for Candace. “In the meantime, she’s a Jersey girl again.”
TheiaThea did not look at Demi, but she nodded with understanding. “Well, Wonderwood is lucky to have you back for however long you’ll be here. This booth has your name on it whenever you want a good, home-cooked meal—as long as you don’t bring that bastard uncle of yours.”
Candace hated that no matter where she went or who she spoke to, that man somehow wormed his way in. Forcing a smile, she assured, “Don’t worry, I’m a one-top. I’m sorry for all the trouble he’s given you.”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”TheiaThea waved a hand with long, nicely manicured nails in the air as if it cleared the thought. “His type is a dime a dozen. He’s just a big baby who doesn’t like hearing ‘no.’”
