Fine, but if there’s something else going on, I’m your man
I’m your man.
I swallow hard reading the words. Why does that make my heart lurch?
I know everything about this man, and he isn’t the one-women kinda guy. Granted, lately he has been preoccupied with building his portfolio at the family business, Lucas Property Brothers LA, so his love life has taken a backseat. But make no mistake, Brad Lucas is a chick magnet.
Me
Ty. You’re good to me, Lucas :)
“Chelsea, there you are!” Mom makes me jump, and I almost drop my phone.
“Shit, Mom! You scared the living crap out of me!” I place a hand over my heart, puffing the air out of my lungs.
“Sorry, honey.” She narrows her eyes. “Is everything okay? Your eyes look puffy.”
I wave my hand in the air. “It’s Santa Ana allergies.” I was going to go upstairs and sulk, but now I just need to get back to work.
Having a big cry can wait until later. Pulling up my big girl panties is what I’m exceptionally good at, in fact, I’d say I’ve perfected it.
I don’t like lying to my mom either, but she has enough on her plate and she worries about me way too much as it is. If I tell her about my money woes, she and Dad will find a way to step in, and I know my parents, Sandy and Terry, don’t have that kind of money to rescue me. My parents are the best. They help me out as much as they can at work and with Deaton, but I can’t keep lumbering my problems on them. Mom and Dad have their own lives to live, and they’re going on vacation next week to Florida — a break they’ve been looking forward to for a while. It also leaves me without childcare on some of the afternoons where I can’t leave work early and Rose isn’t available, but I’ll figure it out. Deaton hangs out with me when I’m working, but it’s more getting away to collect him from school, as well as his soccer practice.
All of my friends work, and the ones that have children don’t live close by.
“I’ve had a steady morning, people are loving the new dessert!” She claps her hands and takes off back to the front.
I smile to myself. My mom is my biggest fan and advocate. Every week I try to come up with a new dessert that’s not just delicious, but fun as well.
This week I came up with a blueberry mascarpone cheesecake with pistachio crunch and a caramel drizzle. I only have one other baker: a part-timer, Marlene, plus Rose and mymom, who comes in on weekends and when needed to give me a break. But other than that, it’s just me. And I’m exhausted.
I hate to admit it, but I wish I were going to Florida on vacation. Even if I could do that, I have control issues. All I’d do is worry about the place falling down; letting go is a process, and something I need to work on. But nobody is going to care about this business more than I do. I learned that early on, and mistakes have been made.
But I love my life. I love what I do, and I adore my son.
I’m also happily single. Don’t get me wrong, I love men. I’m not the kind of scorned woman who thinks all men are bastards just because Deaton’s father left us when he couldn’t handle the pressure. If anything, I guess I live in hope that one day the right guy will come along. Maybe I’ve watched too many fairytales, but that’s the little girl in me that always thought my Prince Charming would show up. After multiple disastrous dates, I decided I was done with dating. I don’t know when it all became so complicated.
“That’s great, Mom,” I call after her. “Thanks for holding the fort!”
I’m happy as I am. Exhausted, but happy.
Chapter Three
BRADLEY
“Wow, going all out?” I grin at Mason, my dad’s PA and the jack-of-all-admin-trades in the office. I swear, this place would fall apart without him.
He is a little dramatic, but that’s to be expected because he literally knows his place in the pecking order around here, and it’s at the top.
It’s also his partner Bobby’s thirtieth birthday party next weekend, and he’s throwing a surprise bash.
“He hates surprises.” Mason smiles. “But then he’ll complain his birthday is over too soon. So I thought I’d throw a low key party with our closest friends and family. He can’t be mad at me for that.”
“Have you organized a birthday cake? I can recommend?—”
“Keep your panties on.” His smile turns to a grin. “Sweet Confetti is just as dramatic as I am, well, Chelsea anyway. She sees my vision, and this cake is going to be something people will talk about for years to come. Do I need to get a life? Sure, but butter icing will always win.”
I’m glad he’s got his priorities in order. “Can’t fault you on that,” I chuckle. “So what kind of cake are you ordering?”
