I’d never wanted to leave. I’d worked up from baking and selling out of my kitchen to save up for the Sweet Beats storefront. Baking was the only thing that ever made sense to me. It was science. It had rules.
It was unchangeable for the most part.
There was always a surprise component lurking, but for the most part baking made sense where most people didn’t.
And right now, that was exactly what I needed.
I passed the Caddy and slipped inside Sweet Beats, locking the door behind me. I wasn’t opening the shop today. This was just for me.
To even me out.
I stripped out of the dress and the strangling bra and changed into backup clothes I had in my locker.
The worn cotton of my favorite Rolling Stones shirt and ancient jeans instantly helped calm me.
Then came the ritual of choosing an album.
The needle drop and hiss of vinyl.
Today, the hypnotic, breathy Lana Del Ray and Justin Nozuka suited my mood.
I washed my hands and pulled down all the supplies I needed. Losing myself in the measuring of flour, in the flaky butter incorporation, adding salt for balance.
While that rested, I concentrated on the filling. The citrus of the fruit to combat the sweet.
The strain of my muscles as I hand whisked the mixture over low heat until the smooth curd came together. I moved on to some hand kneading for a loaf of bread. The baked goods grew as sun filled my shop. The sharp lemon curd and warm vanilla scents soothed as they came together in the perfect Danish.
A shadow fell over the floor and I looked up, unsurprised to see Ripley filling my doorway.
I was tempted to leave the door locked.
To stay safe in the confines of my store with my music.
He didn’t say anything as he stood there. His deep green eyes intense as he watched me.
He could just go. Get in his car and go home.
We could both ignore what happened the night before and move on with our lives.
I slowly walked toward him. Each step a little slower.
If I opened that door, everything would have to change.
I couldn’t stay in my little safe bubble.
He didn’t say a word.
Did he know it too?
Maybe we both had been living apart from everyone a bit too much.
Him in his shop and me in mine.
I paused with my hand on the lock for another moment.
This didn’t need to be bigger than it was.
Lies.
