Page 16 of Perfect Pairing
“Do you still have feelings for him?” Chloe asked.
“Hell no,” my second oldest sister said, shaking her head. “We’re just friends.”
“Then I don’t see a problem,” Delia said with a shrug. “Plus, what’re the chances he’ll be at the restaurant tonight anyway?”
“Probably pretty slim…” Amara conceded.
“Exactly,” Ella said, joining the conversation for the first time. “So Birdie’s it is. I could really go for a giant bowl of that house ricotta and toast points.”
My stomach grumbled in agreement despite the fact that I was shoving French toast in my mouth.
I may have dedicated my career to the art of pastries, but I had a culinary arts certification from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. I knew good food when I tasted it, and Birdie’s had some of the best around. I supposed it helped that Owen was filthy rich and could afford to pay a top chef handsomely.
In fact, I think the only place that may have rivaled Birdie’s for culinary excellence was our very own winery restaurant.
My dad had deep pockets too.
Before we could plan any further excursions for the week, Mom breezed back into the room, my dad hot on her heels. His eyes swept over his daughters before landing on me, and he hustled to where I stood at the island.
A moment later, his arms were around me, pulling me into my favorite bear hug.
“Hi, Daddy,” I mumbled into his chest.
“Hi, sweets,” he responded before he pulled back to study me, exactly as my mom had. “You look good. Work treating you well?”
“Work is great,” I said, emphatically shaking my head. “The patisserie is amazing, and I’m learning so much from Bryce.”
I’d been with Bryce for just over five months, and I’d already honed my craft beyond my wildest dreams. According to her, when I ultimately left her employ next summer, I could have my pick of jobs; she’d even offered me one herself. She never hesitated to sing my praises, always reminding me I could be as well-known and respected as her one day.
But I didn’t want all that—the fame, the fortune, the accolades. I simply wanted to learn from the best of the best then move back to Apple Blossom Bay and open my own bakery.
Finding the perfect space was high on my agenda while I was home, and I already had my eyes on a particular storefront.
“I’m so happy to hear that.” Dad smiled brightly, pulling me in for one more squeeze before letting go. “What else is new? Seeing anyone?”
Ignoring his questions, I said, “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Leaving my sisters and Mom chattering away in the kitchen, I pulled Dad down to his study, closing the door behind us.
All my life, I’d never asked for anything from my parents. I was the dutiful youngest daughter, keeping mostly to myself, making myself scarce. It wasn’t difficult to do when my three eldest sistershad all-consuming personalities that demanded attention. The second youngest of us, Ella, was more like me, quiet and steady.
But when we were born, we’d each been granted a trust fund we would gain access to when we turned twenty-five. So far, only Chloe and Amara were old enough. Amara hadn’t touched it, but Chloe had dipped into hers to build a house a few miles down the road.
As the youngest, I wouldn’t see a penny of that money for another three years, but…I needed some now.
“What’s going on, honey?” my dad asked as he dropped into one of the armchairs in front of his desk. “You’re kind of freaking me out.”
“It’s no secret I want to move home when my apprenticeship is up,” I started.
“No, it’s not,” he agreed. “And we’ll welcome you back with open arms. But if you decide you want to do something else—”
I cut him off before he could continue. “No, that’s not what this is about. Iwantto come home. You know it has always been my dream to open my own bakery. It just so happens I’ve found the perfect spot.”
One of my father’s dark brows rose. “Okay…” he said slowly, urging me to continue.
“It’s right on Main Street in town,” I said quickly. “I haven’t set foot inside yet, and it’s going to need a lot of work, but I just know this is the place.”
“Where on Main?”
