Camilla cleared her throat, still trying to recover. “Who is it?”
“Virginia Bonnie Black,” I said.
Camilla’s mouth formed a small O.
“I knew it,” Lucas said. He drummed his thumbs against the table’s edge and sucked his teeth. “She was more interested in where we get our daily pastries than in my black-tie dreams.”
“What did you tell her?” Camilla asked.
I wanted that answer, too, possibly more than I needed air.
He squinted slightly, maybe weighing his words. “I told her I’d met the owner a number of times, and he was a very nice older gentleman who preferred anonymity.”
“You met the owner of what?” Camilla asked, her gaze shifting quickly to me.
I frowned. “The Invisible Baker?” What he said made zero sense.
Lucas nodded. “She didn’t seem satisfied, which was curious, so I asked her why it mattered. Where is the story?” He unfolded his hands, palms cupped skyward.
I forcibly stopped myself from launching across the table to tackle hug him. I had no idea why he’d lied, or if there was really an old man somewhere claiming my work as his own, but I didn’t care. Lucas had saved my day, and I absolutely adored him for it.
Camilla visibly relaxed. “Where is the story?” she echoed.
Lucas shrugged. “I usually like her posts, but forcing a business owner, or anyone, really, to explain themselves seems a bit obnoxious. People still have a right to privacy in this country, I believe.”
“Someone should tell her,” Camilla muttered.
He grinned. “Yes, but in kinder terms, of course.”
Lucas excused himself to bring us the charcuterie and wine.
Camilla and Jeff caught me up on the wedding plans, and I played my new mantra on repeat in my head.
Camilla is not me. Jeff is not Robert. Shut up and do not spoil their day.
Lucas joined us again as promised, and the conversation flowed smoothly, without further mention of Virginia or the Invisible Baker.
Camilla peppered him with questions about working with me.
I nearly drowned in pride when Lucas responded with unbridled enthusiasm.
“Everything I show her, she learns immediately,” he said. “It’s just like this.” He snapped his fingers. “And she remembers. I never have to say anything twice. Except which way the doors swing.”
I snorted a goofy laugh, and he smiled.
Camilla and Jeff traded odd looks.
“That’s a long story,” I said. “And Lucas is being too kind. He took a huge chance by letting me work here. I was lucky to catch on so easily, and you know I love to bake.”
“Understatement of the century,” Camilla said, lifting her glass to her lips.
Jeff chuckled, and I realized Camilla had shared my secret with him too. Of course she had. I didn’t like the way the circle of people who knew my secret kept expanding. Alicia and I had been the only two who knew for years, aside from those who placed orders. I’d told Camilla and Ilona after Mom passed. Now Jeannie and Jeff knew. If I wasn’t careful, Virginia’s Secrets would soon know too. Which is to say the hundreds of thousands of her followers as well.
The pressure to reveal my secret was growing by the minute, and I hated it. Why did everyone need to know it was me? Why couldn’t an anonymous person own a business that helped others without raising questions? I’d created the company as a shield. For busy moms. For my best friend. For me. If Robert had known about the Invisible Baker before, he’d have made me shut it down. If he knew about it now, he might take it from me in the divorce. I didn’t know how, but I knew he’d try, and he rarely failed when he wanted something. And if he succeeded in convincing the court we were bankrupt, I’d need the second income stream to survive.
Stress flooded my bloodstream and lightened my head. My shirt was too tight and the air too thick. I felt as if I was under attack, though I sat at a lovely table in the autumn sun.
“Did you ever consider culinary school?” Lucas asked.
