Page 49 of One Small Spark
She goes on staring at me, but I don’t meet her eye. Getting other people to spill their guts is where I shine. But blabbing aboutmybig emotions? I’d rather not.
Her sigh lets me know what a massive disappointment I am. “Fine. I’ve got cakes to make this afternoon. If you decide you want to talk, you know I’m always here for you.”
Guilt lurches through my stomach like Frankenstein’s monster, huge and unwieldy. “I know.”
She’s never been the problem.
Tess takes the empty tray into the back where she’s carved out a dedicated space for making and assembling her cakes. In a few more minutes, she’ll be lost in decorating and immune to anything that goes on out here.
I trust my sister with anything I could tell her. I just don’t trust myself. If I start talking about my feelings and going soft, that’s when everything crumbles beneath my feet. Emotions are like the ocean: dangers lurk in the deep. Nameless creatures that will pull you under, squeeze you tight, and suck your face right off. Safest to cruise along at sea level. What happens in the deep is none of my business.
Customers wander in and out of the shop, and I wish I could say it’s a nice distraction from Callahan, but it’d be a big fat lie. I can’t stop thinking about what I’ve learnedreallyhappened between him and Richard Allred. The way he heldmy hand during his impromptu dinner invitation. That mystery bird on his arm.
His freaking rolling ladder.
As if I didn’t have enough torment in my life, in walks Rose Rainey. She’s got long, dark hair that falls in perfect, beachy curls. She’s wearing a bohemian, flowing dress like she’s on her way to wander wildflower fields. If Sunshine did superlatives for residents, she’d get voted in as the “Nicest Person in Town” every year.
She also happens to be Callahan’s ex-girlfriend.
No. Big. Deal.
“Hi, Wren.” Rose’s ever-present smile is so bright, I want to shield my eyes.
I’m in customer service—I’m deeply familiar with fake smiles. But Rose’s smiles never strain at the edges or look flimsy and glued on. They’re bestowed on everyone equally and without hesitation. They always make her eyes crinkle, too, like she’s the happiest she’s ever been right this minute.
I’m not even sure I’m smiling now. I subtly slide my mouth around. Nope.
“Hey, Rose.”
“It’s such a lovely day out, isn’t it? I hope the weather stays like this a little longer.” A sunbeam shines through the transom window over our door specifically to give her brown hair a honey glow.
Even the sun is against me.
I don’t know how long she and Callahan were together or how serious things were between them. She was around a lot when he first took over the space next door, but by the time his shop opened, she didn’t come by anymore. I never asked him about it because I didn’t really want to know the details.
Now, I regret not digging around and prying for moreinformation when I had the chance. Even though I’m still not sure I really want to know the details.
“It’s surprisingly warm.” I haven’t been out in it except to take trash to the bins in the alley.
Which I didnotdo in the hopes I would run into Callahan. I also didn’t linger out there longer than usual, standing around like a fangirl waiting to catch a glimpse of her favorite boy band member after a show. Totally wasn’t worth Tess’s dirty looks for my lateness when I came back in, either.
“It’s my boss’s birthday today. He said he didn’t want anything, but I know he’s coming in later, so…” She gestures at the case of pies. “Might as well surprise him with a little something.”
She buys birthday gifts for her boss, too. Is this woman even real?
“Do you know what flavor he likes?”
Rose stoops to peer into the case. Did I mention she’s supermodel tall? She’s lithe and gorgeous and soft and billowy and I should definitely stop taking notes before I hurt my own feelings.
I’m not ignorant of my own looks, but I’m firmly on thecuteend of the spectrum. Not an Amazonian goddess like some people.
“Ooh, he likes bananas. How about one of the banana cream pies?”
I pull out one of the pies and slice it, trying not to come up with reasons why Callahan would have broken up with the sweetest human being on the planet. I don’t really care to think about why she would have dumped him, either. Maybe it was a mutual dumping and nothing personal on either side. That happens, right?
No matter what, definitely not my business.
“Your bakery is so cute,” she says, looking around the shop. “I love how cheerful it is. Like a welcome from an old friend.”
