"You think, or you know?"
"I am," I said with more certainty. "I keep expecting the gravity of...what I did to hit me, but it hasn't fully yet. But I think I'll be okay. IknowI'll be okay. I've got Dare and he's more than I could have ever asked for."
Teddy reached for my hand and squeezed my wrist.
"You should have told me about your past. I feel awful for not...doing more."
I grabbed his hand too and cocked my head to the side.
"It's hard to tell people. I feel...silly for getting myself into that mess and staying in it for so long. I didn’t tell people. Besides, you had your own sh—tuff to worry about."
"But you're my friend. I can worry about you too."
I choked a laugh.
"I appreciate it. I really do. But it's done now. Now we can hopefully all move on with our lives, yeah?"
Teddy nodded and took the bowl over so he could pour the batter in the tray.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do now? Are you going to get a new truck?"
"I don't know. Honestly. Whenever I think about that I get hives. I don't know if I'll be able to find another truck or how long it will be before it's ready and when I think how long this whole thing will take I think about giving up altogether."
"You can't give up. People need your cakes."
"I'm sure they can make do with all the other cakes on the island."
Teddy put the tray in the oven and grabbed my shoulder.
"Yeah but it's not just your cakes, is it? People come to you for your smile and your kind words. You make people happy. Why do you think Dare fell for you? And I'm sure he's not the only one."
"Are you saying there's an army of people out there in love with me but too shy to say anything?" I raised an eyebrow.
"It wouldn't surprise me," he answered, not a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "You're one of a kind, Zach and everyone can see it."
I licked my lips, blinking away the tears that threatened to escape. I didn't need to cry right now.
"Thanks, Teddy. That means a lot."
"I mean it. I hate that I'm not working with you, you know. I mean, don't get me wrong, Hwan is excellent, but I miss my other boss."
I rolled my eyes.
"Please don't. I was never your boss. Just your friend. And colleague. But mainly your friend."
Teddy smiled.
"That's right. So as your friend, I'm asking you not to give up. You'll find a way to get your business back. I mean, you had insurance. I'm sure it'll be approved. And we can open the Wandering Bundt again under a new roof, or something."
I narrowed my eyes and studied Teddy while trying to process his words.
He did have a point. I did have insurance. I mean, there was a chance it would fall through but with all the other attacks on the island, surely it wouldn't? Maybe I could rebuild. Though I didn't know if I wanted to do it alone.
"You said we," I said.
Teddy grimaced and bit his lip.
"Sorry. I mean you. But I'll help any way I can. I'm not abandoning my friend."
