Ashley seemed more of the opinion that he was suffering due to his own decisions, and if he hadn’t been moving like a turtle with Jennifer, he wouldn’t be in this situation now.Which was hard to argue.
Finally, the day wrapped up, and Audrey locked the front door with a feeling of satisfaction.No drama.No issues that she needed to be rescued from.Just a good day’s work and lots of customers.
If things kept up like this, she would be able to hire more help soon.But she also knew that viral videos could be fickle.She needed to wait and make sure that the foot traffic was going to continue before she jumped to any major decisions.The idea of having to fire someone was among the worst things she could imagine having to do.Even someone like Ashley, who didn’t actually need a job and was there more because she wanted to be.
Better to wait it out and be safe instead of sorry.
Audrey’s phone buzzed in her pocket as she was finishing up with the end-of-day duties.Alexis and Ashley had already both left.Ashley had offered to drop off the leftovers to the shelter Naomi ran, and Audrey had gratefully accepted.Glancing at her phone screen, Audrey stifled a groan.It was the third time her mother had called that day.If she kept ignoring it, especially now after work hours, there would be hell to pay.Steeling herself, she swiped to accept the call.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Audrey.”Her mother’s tone was frosty.“How lovely to actually hear your real voice instead of being sent to your voicemail.”
“I’m sorry.”Was she though?She tried to sound sorry, regardless, because her mother wouldn’t accept anything less.“The bakery has been really busy, and I haven’t been able to answer.”
“Really.”It sounded more like a statement of dubiousness than a question.“How busy can a bakery be?”
“Very, especially with only three of us working,” Audrey answered.Despite her mother’s annoyance, she could feel herself getting excited as she explained.“It’s been very busy this week and only got busier today, thanks to a video that went viral.”
“That went what?Never mind, I don’t know what that means, and I don’t want to.”Even though Audrey couldn’t see her, she knew her mother was waving her hand with that brushing motion she made when she wanted to change the subject.“I suppose that means you won’t be coming back here to visit any time soon.”
“No, mother.I’m too busy here.But as soon as I can, I will come visit.”
Apparently, it needed to be said again.Audrey’s stomach twisted, and her throat felt clogged, but it got a little easier every time she said it.Practice makes perfect.Maybe one day she wouldn’t feel anxiety at all when she had to tell her mother no.
“You know, Cash has been asking after you.”
“Really?”Audrey couldn’t help the sarcasm that bled into her voice.“I doubt he really cares that much, considering he needs to pass messages through my mother.”
“You never take his calls, darling.”
Well, that was true enough, but he also hadn’t tried in weeks.Not that she wanted him to.She didn’t.But she didn’t understand why her mother was persisting in trying to pretend that Cash cared about her.
“Is Dad there?”Audrey asked, hoping to divert her mother.Unfortunately, she hadn’t counted on the reality of their marriage.
“No, he’s on one of hisbusinesstrips.Because he’s such a hard worker.”The bitterness that infused her mother’s voice made Audrey wince.Her dad must have a new mistress.Now she was sorry she’d brought it up.
“Right well, I’m on my way home,” she said, hoping her mother would pick up the hint.
“Very well, darling.Please do try to make time for your family soon.”The cool tone of her mother’s voice said she was highly displeased, and Audrey winced.
“I will.”She would try.Maybe she could go back for one night, on a weeknight, sometime soon.Although she had a feeling that the soonest really would be Thanksgiving, which her mom was clearly not going to be happy about.Audrey’s stomach twisted again.There was nothing she could do about it.“Love you, Mom.”
“Good night, Audrey.”
Her mother hung up the phone, and Audrey sighed with relief.That could have gone much worse.
It could have gone a lot better, too.
Another night, she might have felt more let down after talking with her mother, but tonight… tonight she was going to Mason’s for the first time.Excitement hummed inside her as she closed down the computer and headed for the back door.Shutting and locking it behind her, she practically bounced her way to her car.
An odd sensation tickled the back of her neck, the feeling that someone was watching her… but when she turned to look, no one was there.
Weird.
Mason
Trying to plan out a scene at home was… difficult.
