She huffed out a humorless laugh. “And this is why I can never play poker.”
“What’s wrong, Ashanti?”
She came over to where he stood and assumed his position, folding her arms across her chest.
“This is a huge step,” she said. “The kind that can make or break Duchess Delights. And…”
“And you’re afraid you’ll ruin your business if you can’t deliver?” he asked.
“I guess that’s it,” she said. “A part of me doesn’t knowhowto feel. Everything has happened so quickly. I went from baking a few dozen doggy treats in my home kitchen to now renting out something like this so that I can fulfill an order for twenty thousand?” She shook her head. “I should be more excited, but instead I feel like drinking Pepto Bismol straight from the bottle.”
“Is there any other way to drink it?”
That got a laugh out of her. A real one this time.
“You reserve the right to feel overwhelmed. But don’t let it get in the way of your dream.”
“I think that’s what has me so uneasy.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth again and stared out at the kitchen. “You see, thiswasn’tmy dream. It was never part of my original plan. Now it seems as if my little side hustle has taken over.”
Thad pushed away from the counter and came to stand in front of her. “Are you saying you don’t want to continue with Duchess Delights?”
“No. I would be a fool to give it up.”
“Not if it isn’t something you want to do.”
“Idowant it,” she said. “I just don’t want to feel so overwhelmed by it all. Maybe once I hire more people I’ll feel better about this. Speaking of, I need to finally go through the list of candidates my staff suggested and start making some job offers. I need bakers in this kitchen tomorrow.”
In a show of impeccable timing, the manager returned and collected the information she needed from Ashanti to complete the contract. Thad watched her closely, ready to step in and offer reassurance if that’s what she needed. But she handled it well.
As they started for the car, it hit him that she would drive him to the Bywater house and in less than ten minutes their time together would be done. The thought caused a physical ache to settle in his chest.
He strived for nonchalance when he asked, “Do you have time for a late lunch? There’s a little Jamaican place a couple of blocks away that’s pretty good.”
“I don’t have time, but that sounds so much better than the ham sandwich waiting for me at the daycare. Do they serve alcohol with their jerk chicken?”
“Does the thought of signing that contract make youthatnervous?”
“It’s not the contract,” she said with a sigh. They arrived at her car, but neither made a move to get in.
“What is it?” Thad asked.
“Anita came to the daycare this morning, threatening to take me to court over the girls because I spent the night at your house.”
“The fuck?” His anger was instant.
Ashanti waved him off. “Don’t bother getting worked up over it.” A mischievous grin pulled at one corner of her mouth. “I threatened to call the cops on her if she didn’t leave the daycare. It was amazing.”
“Next time don’t just threaten. Do it,” Thad said.
“Maybe I will,” she said, her smile widening. She tipped her head to the side. “You know what, I think I deserve that lunch. I have a feeling it will be a long time before I’m able to sit and enjoy a good meal once I start this big order.”
They’d just headed north on Lesseps Street when Ashanti’s phone rang.
“I’m tempted to not answer it,” she said, pulling the phone from her back pocket. She held it up. “As I suspected, Deja probably calling with my next headache of the day.” She answered the phone. “Hey, Deja. What’s up?”
She stopped walking. “Oh my God,” she whispered.
Panic gripped Thad’s chest.
