Page 22 of Rescue
“Well, we can’t get ready for your date on an empty stomach!”
One of the bags is full of lunch and the other seems to be most of her closet. I’m touched that she thought to do all of this for me, and without even asking. I’m so thankful to have her as a friend. “Amy! You didn’t have to do all of this. Surely you have something better to do today than help me get ready for a date.” She's a great friend but I think this qualifies her for sainthood or something.
“Oh, give me a break. That would imply I have a life, which I don’t. I’m so glad you’re back. If I wasn’t here, I’d probably just be watching Big Bang Theory on the couch for the millionth time. Believe me, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Besides, we need to get our bestie time in now before you move back to the big city. When is Nana coming back to the cafe?”
I think about my conversation with her earlier. I’m still not sure what I’m going to do, but I think talking it out with Amy might help. “Honestly, I totally forgot about my date this evening. When I woke up this morning, Nana was here with Mason Carter to measure the window for the drive thru I suggested to her earlier this week. She’s all ready to make that happen.”
“Wow! That’s great. I think it will be an excellent addition to the place. I bet business will be better than ever. I can’t believe she didn’t think of it before, honestly. Great idea, Pen!”
“That’s not all actually. After Mason left, she told me that she doesn’t think she wants to come back and . . . and she wants to GIVE me Mabel’s Manor!” My eyes are wide and I think she can tell I’m freaked out because she doesn’t celebrate like other friends would when you give them news like this. She gets up and comes over to hug me.
“Of course she wants you to have the cafe. What else would she do with it? By the way, you have to say yes and stay here in Piney Grove with me forever. Just saying.”
I know she’s just teasing me and she’ll support whatever I decide. It helps just telling someone else. I know they’re both right that it’s just the natural way this should go, I’m just not sure this is what I want. Don’t I want to go back to the city and become a famous pastry chef? Don’t I want to work for a big prestigious restaurant or bakery? I used to have all these ideas about what success would look like for me and staying here in Piney Grove was never the plan. I’m starting to think that maybe my feelings have changed.
“Don’t stress about this girl,” Amy says, bringing me out of my thoughts and back to the present. “If you decide to take the cafe, you’ll do amazing here. The business is already doing so well, if all the cars out front every morning mean anything, and you’ve made it even more successful in just the few weeks you’ve been here. If not, I’m sure when you get back to the city there will be bakeries lined up to hire you. You're amazing at this. It’s in your blood. Just do what feels right and everything will work out the way it should.”
Her pep talk is exactly what I needed. I know she’s right. I’ll give it the rest of the week to decide what I want to do. It’s not like I have to make the decision right now. I’ve got some time to really think it through and make sure this is what I really want.
“You’re right, of course,” I say to her. “I’m going to really think about everything this week and hopefully when Nana and I talk I’ll know just what to do.”
“Of course I am. Now. Are you seriously telling me you forgot about your date this evening with Miles? Are you kidding me? How could you forget something like that? We need to eat and then get to work on you, girl! I’m thinking bath, make sure to shave while you’re in there.” She gives me a sultry wink, then giggles. “Then we’ll paint your nails, do your makeup, and fix your hair. By the time we’re done with you you’ll be sparkling like a diamond.”
