“You were protecting me.”
The sadness in his expression took on new meaning. He wasn’t upset that I’d lied—he was sorry he hadn’t been able to help me keep my secret.
He nodded, and I snapped my mouth shut, suddenly hyperaware of our audience.
I’d assumed he was extra busy lately making plans for France or the evening upgrades to his restaurant, but he’d spent at least a portion of that time communicating with Virginia Bonnie Black for me.
My heart fluttered with fresh appreciation, but whatever was between Lucas and me didn’t need to be aired on social media or broadcast to his restaurant. This conversation had to wait. There was a more immediate issue in need of resolution.
I pulled in a deep, steadying breath, then turned on my heels and cut through the pink T-shirts to the bakery display. I made a show of setting my box aside and raising myThe Invisible Bakersign in one hand.
“I was invisible for many years,” I said, speaking directly to the camera, “as I think too many women are. I cooked, cleaned, cared for my daughter, and managed the emotions and mental load of everyone in my family. I did that for decades. And I did it alone.” An exasperated laugh seeped from my core. It was all so ridiculous. How had society remained this way for so long? “The sadder thing is that my story is not an anomaly. So many of us suffer silently, giving all we have to those around us, trying desperately to make everyone happy all while diminishing and depleting our own happiness. And there’s always someone out there ready to complain that it’s not enough. That we haven’t done enough.” Around me, the women in pink nodded and whispered their agreement. Their solidarity gave me strength. “I was invisible for years, like too many other women, and no one ever,eversaid thank you. But I’m done with that now.”
I held the sign in front of me, and with the Sharpie I’d used to sign the business card, I drew a big X through the lettersI-n, changing the words on the sign to spellThe Visible Baker. I spun the revision to face Virginia, and I looked directly into her camera. “I’m visible now, and I see you too.”
A round of applause rose throughout the restaurant, and I realized our audience had grown. The women in pink shirts, and others fromthe nearby dining room and kitchen, made their way closer, many wiping tears as they offered me hugs, handshakes, and words of thanks. The very words we all wanted but rarely received.
“You heard it here, folks.” Virginia’s voice carried to me from somewhere beyond the crowd. “Now that Sophie Bianco’s not invisible anymore, she’s sure to reach a lot more of her intended audience. I’m guessing this baker is one who won’t mind if you want to say you’ve made it yourself.”
“Pardon me,” Lucas said, moving along the fringe of people to Virginia’s side.
She moved the phone to include him in her selfie-style view.
“When I first hired Sophie,” he said, “I asked her what she would’ve done differently if she could go back and make changes in her life.”
For a moment, his expression fell, and I wondered if his words made him think of Margot. I hated that he’d lost the love of his life when so few people ever found theirs. I wanted joy for him. This kind and caring human who taught me it was safe to trust people with my secrets. A boss who showed me I was worth having on a team even when I didn’t carry the entire load.
The restaurant seemed too quiet, everyone listening closely as he spoke.
“The specific change she mentioned to me that day, that I think is especially relevant now, is that she would never have been the Invisible Baker. In another life, where she was seen, she would’ve opened a storefront and sold directly to anyone and everyone in need of a little fresh-baked love.”
I laughed nervously. Lucas made my dream sound better than I did.
Virginia turned the camera on me. “Is that still what you want?” she asked.
I nodded. Unwilling to lie, I whispered, “Yeah.”
“Well, viewers,” Virginia said, “if anyone can make that happen, it’s you.”
Slowly, restaurant staff and guests returned to their stations and tables.
I opened the box and offered each woman in pink a pastry. I passed the last treat to Lucas.
Virginia winked. “Another of Virginia’s Secrets revealed, and this one is truly delicious.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I waited outside Lucas’s office the next morning, determined to say my piece.
He rounded the corner, then slowed at the sight of me. He was beautiful. Clean shaven, hair damp and lightly mussed. His lips opened in surprise, and kindness flowed from him like light from a lantern in the darkness. “Sophie. What are you doing here? This is your day off, isn’t it?”
“I came to see you,” I said, offering the pink pastry box in my hands.
He accepted with a coy smile. “The Invisible Baker.”
“Can I come in?” I asked, motioning to his closed office door. “I think we need to talk.”
Lucas nudged the door open with his foot, then motioned me inside. He took a seat at his desk and opened his palms, letting me know I had the floor.
