Page 24 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
Besides, packing up his mom’s bakery wasn’t the best thing for Jack to do alone. I didn’t even know howIwas going to handle it, and it wasn’t even my family’s legacy being taken away. “Absolutely.” I pointed toward the garage. “Need my truck?”
“That would be great, thanks.”
“What about the show?” Not that he could say much because of the non-disclosure he had signed.
He hung his head. “Not much to tell.”
So even that hope was dashed. “Shoot.” I slapped my leg in frustration. Things had gone from awful to horrific. “I wish I had enough money to give to the bank in order to save Love Bakes.” Maybe I could find someone who would marry me tonight so I could access my trust fund. I’d happily give it all to Jack if it would help him save his family bakery.
“Nah. I wouldn’t accept it. I appreciate your offer, though.”
My brows rose. “And Megan?” She was a competitor he’d met and kissed.
He rubbed his palms up and down his face. “She’s amazing.”
I shot him a quizzical look. “Why did you say that like it’s a bad thing?”
“I can’t handle a relationship with her.”
Why? Because something had happened between them? I tilted my head. “And what exactly does that mean?”
Jack shifted, lying flat on my couch. “Every woman in my life has left me. She will, too. I just helped things along.”
He had to be kidding me. Jack had pushed her away because of something thatcouldhappen? That was ridiculous. I smacked my ankle. “That’s an awful excuse, and you know it. I’m going to let it slide for now because of what you’re going through, but eventually, we will talk about her. Understand?”
Jack rolled his head to the side, meeting my glare. “Fine,” he mumbled.
It was one thing for Jack to be grumpy and not like being around people. It was a whole other issue if he wasn’t even willing to try to have a relationship with someone who clearly was interested in him. “What’s your plan regarding work?” I asked, curious if he’d had time to think about his next steps.
He paused before answering in a joke that fell flat. “Need a pastry chef?”
I wished. But Starla was one of the few employees who consistently did a good job. “You know I’d hire you in a heartbeat if I did.”
Tears pooled in his eyes. Seeing my stoic, super non-emotional friend tear up just about did me in. I rubbed my nose, praying the stinging that always meant I was about to cry cleared.
“Yeah, I know. Anyway”—Jack cleared his throat—“I need to get some boxes for the move and call Jessica and Gimena to let them know I don’t need them anymore.”
I did not envy him when it came to telling his employees they no longer had a job because of Mark. I dreaded letting Josh and Darby go, and we had legitimate reasons for firing them. “We have some boxes at the restaurant. I’ll bring them over.”
Jack snapped his fingers, getting Bear to move. “Thanks for all your help with Bear. I’ll see you soon.”
After everything he’d just told me, taking care of Bear and helping him pack up were nothing compared to everything Jack had going on in his life. Jack would hate what I was about to do, but I couldn’t let my best friend leave without knowing he had someone in his corner who would always have his back. I pulled Jack into a hug, pounding his back a few times. “I’m here whenever you need me.”
He nodded. “I know.”
Jack and Bear left, and the moment the door closed, any hold I had on my depression slipped. I couldn’t keep it together anymore. My heart was shattered on behalf of my best friend. The look of pain and anguish on Jack’s face tore at me. I would happily trade him places. Letmelose something instead of Jack, who had lost so much in life already.
Darkness settled within me like a blanket of fog over San Francisco. Life was too much. Taking that one step, focusing on the positive, seemed impossible. My brain fought for practicality and lost to the sense of overwhelm. All I wanted was to sleep. To escape the pain, frustration, anger, disappointment, and stress.
I called Holly and then Jessica, letting them know I was sick and wouldn’t be in tonight. I hadn’t done that in years. Really, it wasn’t a good idea, as I had no assistant manager at the moment and Saturdays were usually our busiest night, but I couldn’t function. Not after this devastating loss. Not without Bear there to force me to get up and move.
I drew the blinds and closed the curtains, turned off all the lights in my house, took some sleeping medicine, and waited to zonk out from the pain left behind from Pops, Lexi, and now Jack.
Tomorrow would be better. It had to be.
Chapter 10
Holly
