"Because I panicked. Because everyone's so disappointed in me and Jake got hurt and I just—I couldn't handle it. I needed to breathe."
"So you pushed away the one person who's been completely supportive?"
"I know. I messed up. We're supposed to talk today."
"Then fix it. Tell him you were scared. Tell him you didn't mean it."
But before Lucy could respond, the door chimed.
Mrs. Henderson walked in with her ancient beagle. She looked at Lucy and her expression was cold.
"I'm here for Mr. Henderson's medication pickup," she said, gesturing to the pharmacy next door that shared a wall with the bakery. "But while I'm here, I thought you should know—the Knitting Circle is boycotting this place until the sale is finalized. We won't support a business that's being sold out from under us."
Lucy felt like she'd been slapped. "Mrs. Henderson, please—"
"Your grandmother would be ashamed." Mrs. Henderson turned and walked out without another word.
Mae grabbed Lucy's hand. "Don't listen to her. She's just upset—"
But Lucy was already retreating to the kitchen, tears streaming down her face.
This was it. This was what happened when you chose yourself over everyone else's expectations. You lost everything.
Jake woke at 6 AM with his shoulder screaming and his mind replaying last night on loop.
Maybe we don't actually know each other at all.
Lucy's words kept circling. Did she really believe that? Or was she just scared?
His phone showed two missed calls from Derek, his former agent. Jake ignored them and got ready for the day.
He was supposed to talk to Lucy today, but he had youth hockey practice first. The kids would be a good distraction from the hollow feeling in his chest.
At the rink, Emma Rodriguez bounced up to him immediately.
"Coach Jake! Did you read the article?"
Jake's stomach sank. "What article?"
"About Miss Lucy's bakery! My mom showed me. Everyone's talking about it."
Of course they were. This was Timber Falls.
Jake pulled up the Gazette article on his phone and felt his jaw tighten. They'd made Lucy sound like a sellout. Had included quotes from people she'd fed for years, all of them expressing disappointment.
No wonder she was spiraling.
"Is Miss Lucy okay?" Emma asked. "My mom says people are being mean to her."
"I'm sure she's fine," Jake said, not believing it.
Practice was distracted. Jake tried to focus on the kids, but his mind kept drifting to Lucy. To the article. To the way she'd looked last night—panicked and overwhelmed and pushing him away because that was easier than letting him help.
After practice, Tommy pulled Jake aside.
"You look like hell."
"Thanks."
