Page 53 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
“Please do!” Saphira said. “I love your ideas.”
“Okay, so, you know how you want to hire a managerial assistant to help with the cafe?” Lavinia asked, tapping her nails on her desk.
“Mhm.”
“And we both agreed that I couldn’t do it . . . But, I’ve been thinking—what about Theo for the role?” she said. “He’s a bit unhappy at the Rolling Pin and looking for something new, and he’s been around since the cafe opened, just like me!”
“Oh my god, really? I didn’t think of Theo because I knew he was busy with the Rolling Pin, but if he’s looking for something new, that would be perfect!” Saphira exclaimed, as excited by the idea as Lavinia was, just like Lavinia knew she would be. See, shewasalways right! “He has been around as long as you, and I completely trust him.”
“Exactly!”
“You know, last year, he did offer to help out with managingwhen I was struggling with getting things situated so I could pay off the last of the mortgage on the place. I didn’t have any funds to hire him for a proper job at the time butnow, if I run the numbers—by which of course I mean ifAidenruns the numbers—I’m sure I could afford to hire him!”
“Yes!” Lavinia said, sitting up. “I think that could work. You should talk to him about it and see what he says. He won’t bring it up himself because he doesn’t want to put you in an awkward position, but I knew that you’d think it was a good idea, which is why I’m meddling a little.”
Saphira laughed. “Don’t worry, I appreciate the meddling. And he actually did mention it to me before when I brought it up with him, but I didn’t think about it too seriously because I didn’t realize he actually wanted to leave the Rolling Pin. But now—this could be perfect! You really do have the best ideas!”
“Yay!” Lavinia loved when things worked out the way she wanted them to. “Okay, now I have to get back to work before Dr. Quan comes back in here and finds me yapping. Talk soon!”
“Okay, byeeee.”
They hung up, and Lavinia got back to work, thankfully before Dr. Quan returned to the office.
When she was done with her internship about two hours later, she went to her car and called Theo while she drove to campus for class. He picked up after two rings, then said, “Wait, one sec.”
She heard a little muffled noise, then heard his voice again. “Hey, sorry, was just putting my headphones in. Am currently kneading cookie dough.”
“Ooh, yum,” Lavinia said. “I could go for some cookies right now.”
“When are you not in the mood for cookies?” he asked, laughing.
“Fair point.Anyway. I called because I was just casually talking to Saphira, and she said she had something she wanted to talk to you about—so did she?” Lavinia asked.
“Casually, huh?” Theo laughed. “Yes, I did talk to her. I was going to call you when you were done with class in the evening. Are you driving over to school now?”
“Yup,” she said. “So . . . what did she say?”
Theo snorted. “As if you don’t know,” he said, though he didn’t seem upset. On the contrary, his tone was fond. “I can recognize a Lavinia Williams Plan from a mile away.”
“Maybe I know a little bit,” she admitted, giggling. “So what do you think? Isn’t it a great idea?”
“It is!” He paused. “But what if it doesn’t work out? What if I’m not good at it?”
“You will be good at it!” she said. “You’re good at everything.” She paused. “Well, except for bowling. You’re pretty bad at that.”
“Hey! You know I had a hand-cramp that day!” he objected. “But seriously . . . I’ve never worked a business type of job, you know?” He released a breath. “And what about Suki? Plus, what if I miss the Rolling Pin when I leave? Things are comfortable as they are. What if I ruin a good thing and regret it?”
“It’s a big step!” she said, understanding his qualms. “You obviously don’t have to decide this second. Change is scary, and even if things arecomfortableright now, you said you weren’thappy, so maybe a change is necessary.”
He groaned. “Ugh, I know you’re right. Thanks for the push—I’ll definitely think about it.”
“Good! I just want you to be happy, you know that, right?”
“I know.” His voice went soft. “Thank you, Lavinia.” He paused, and she heard him swallow. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
This was usually the moment she would tease, saying something like, “You’d be lost without me!” or “Of course you don’t!” but there was something in his voice.
Something she didn’t understand.
