Page 47 of Shine: Sins of the Father
That brings a smile to my face. “Right.”
He moves to the outside door that leads to a small balcony and set of wooden stairs, but pauses before he leaves. “You need anything, you got my number, right?”
I nod and feel my eyes sting again.
He winks and goes out the door.
Cody’s like a brother to me, but there are some things that are easier to talk to him about than I’d ever feel comfortable talking to my brothers about.
I lock the door, then go downstairs and lock up the shop. I see him through the window climbing on his bike and riding off.
God, I hope he’s good to his word and keeps my secret.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fiona—
My little cupcake shop has been open now for two months. Opening day, we were so busy, I couldn’t believe it. The place has become a real hit, and my kid’s party room is booked for the next six months. I do one party every Sunday at 1pm after the store closes at noon. Those parties take a lot of work, and though I can get the room ready the night before, I’m exhausted when the last guest leaves. I know there’s enough demand I could do more, but it’s just too much for me right now.
Almost every minute of the day is taken up with work. When the shop isn’t open, I’m baking products and preparing all the call-ahead orders.
I’ve had several people ask if I deliver, and maybe someday I’ll be able to hire someone for that. Right now, it’s just me running the show. Janey, God bless her, helps whenever she can, especially with parties on Sunday, but I know it’s time to hire some help.
I’ve got a stack of applicants I need to go through. I can only afford to pay minimum wage right now, which makes it difficult to find the right candidate.
I’m hoping once I get more help, I’ll be able to offer smoothies or fancy coffees. Right now, I know I’d never have time to make them and wait on other customers. I’d spend my entire day being a barista.
It’s the dream, though. Someday I’ll make it happen.
I’m always looking for opportunities for other streams of income beyond sweets. The parties have been a gold mine. I hadno idea parents were willing to pay so much. They just love the way I’ve decorated and the care I take. I try to make each party as custom to the birthday girl as I can, and they love the dress-up section I’ve assembled with all kinds of princess dresses. I’ve hired a face-painter to come in on party days as part of the package, and that’s been a big hit. She makes the little girls beautiful.
It's 6pm on Saturday night, and I flip the sign on the door to closed, locking up. My back is killing me, so I drop into a chair.
My stomach is just beginning to round, and I stroke my hand over it. I’ve been able to hide it with my loose apron, but I know the time is quickly approaching when it will become too obvious to hide.
Janey has been my rock. She found me crying in the back on opening day and took me in her arms and held me. Then she wiped away my tears and gave me a pep talk before anyone else could see me.
She’s stepped up like a trooper, taking on as much as she can. However, she’s back at school now, and the hours she can give me have gotten limited. I’m thankful I can finally afford some help.
Cody has been great. He’s kept his word and hasn’t told my secret. Plus, he stops in at least once a week to check on me and usually snags a free cupcake.
He’s been a really good friend. I know someday soon he’ll get his patch, and he so deserves it.
I stand, rubbing the small of my back and begin wiping down the counter. I hear a motorcycle ride past, and glance up to see a young couple on a sport bike.
Every time I hear a motorcycle, I can’t help but think of Shine.
I’ve thought of him every night as I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, thinking about the baby. Cody was right. He deservesto know, but there’s no way I’m telling him. He thinks I’m a stripper, after all. He’s a biker and probably has no desire to become a father. A million excuses fill my head, like they always do.
Shine isn’t the only man I have to consider. I dread my father finding out. I know he’s going to flip, and he’s going to demand to know the name of the father. That’s something I’ll never tell, because I know if I did, he’d want to kill Shine. At the very least, he’d ride straight to Vegas and beat the shit out of him. I have no doubt my father could do it. There’s nothing scarier than a pissed-off papa bear.
My father is the definition of overprotective.
If it’s ever found out, my relationship with Shine would cause so much drama in the club, and I do not want to be the reason for that.
There’s a knock on the glass, and I turn to find Rafe standing there, his hand cupped to his eyes, trying to see in. Beyond him, I see his truck parked at the curb.
I grin and open the door. “What are you doing here?”
