“Laura just texted me, and she talked to Lyla today. They are going to meet this week on her lunch break!” I sit up in my chair on full alert now.
“That’s great, honey. Hopefully, she will get the ones we had last night added to her menu so I can enjoy a full piece this time since you ate half of mine.”
“And I don’t regret it one bit,” she laughs.
“Laura is meeting with Lyla?” I ask, unable to stop the question.
“Yes, do you know her?” My mom asks, surprised.
“Not really. I met her last night when she was passing out desserts.” I keep the rest to myself as I try and keep it light. Mymom is good at reading her children, and I really don’t want to get into what I’m feeling right now.
“She seems like such a sweetheart. I hope she and Laura can work together. Lyla’s baked goods would be a perfect addition to the cafe.” My mom glances out to the ocean in deep thought. “I couldn’t help but notice, though, that there is a sadness in her eyes that never seems to quite leave, even when she smiles. I found myself hugging her and wanting to give her some motherly comfort.” My mom shakes her head as if clearing the thought. “She probably thinks I’m nuts. I think I mentioned that we were supposed to meet, and she’s what Blue Haven is missing,” she laughs.
“Does she live in Blue Haven?”
Could she really live here and me not know it?I just assumed she lived in Crystal Isle, where the wedding took place.
“I have no clue,” she shakes her head. “She works in Bayside.”
“Bayside?” It’s a bigger town about thirty minutes from here.
“Mm-hm, some bakery called Al’s.”
Al’s. I have a name, and I got it from my mom, of all places. Maybe she is right, and they were supposed to meet.
Later that night,I crawl into bed and immediately pull up Al’s. My parents and Savi leave tomorrow morning, so we had a late-night family dinner by the pool. This is my first chance to dive in and do some research without being interrupted.
Pulling up Al’s Bakery on the map, I see it’s near the downtown tourist area. I click on the website and scan the information.It looks like a typical bakery that serves various desserts and baked goods.
I click on theabout pageto learn more about the owner, but no personal information is mentioned. All it shows is a map and hours of operation, which I make a mental note of before getting off the page and clicking on messages.
Jake
Why do you still work for that dick? You could work at any bakery with your talent.
I hit send, hoping she will give me more. Ever since she told me about her boss making her feel uncomfortable, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that it’s worse than what she’s letting on.
I glance at the clock and see it’s after ten. She’s probably in bed already. Fifteen minutes go by, and I finally see a text come through.
Lyla
Why are you doing this, Jake? I already told you this can’t happen. All you are doing is prolonging the inevitable, and it does neither of us any good.
Damn it. She’s getting ready to run again.
Jake
I just want to be your friend. And as a friend, I’m just worried about you. That’s all.
Lyla
I think we passed the friend zone already.
God, that kiss. I wonder if she thinks about it as much as I do.
Jake
As much as I enjoyed that kiss and want to do so much more, I won’t cross that line again.
