“I’ll see you in the morning.” He said as he released me then walked into the living room.
I didn’t wait around to watch my grandad baby her or soothe her drunkenness. Tonight had been nothing but one thing after another, with Solana being the only light. One that I hoped one day I would be worthy enough to entertain.
GRAND OPENING OF SUGAR KISSED…
I lay in bed,wide awake, my eyes still closed. Today was the day I would truly step into my new life. I had already begun building something I was proud of without the shop, but this was the one thing my mother and I would share—her in spirit and me still here, the sentiment still the same.
I just wanted to lie in the moment—a moment where I wasn’t thinking about what could go wrong or if no one showed up to support my shop at all. According to Jessa and Aubree, I had nothing to worry about. Today would be so busy, I wouldn’t even be able to blink before helping another customer.
They were a bit dramatic about how today could go. I focused on staying in the moment instead. Shoot, that alone was a gift to me these days, and I held it close to my chest.
I released a sigh and opened my eyes. My bedroom reminded me of my old room back when I was a child. It didn’t have the glitz and glam I tried to make myself accustomed to, but it felt warm and inviting. I pulled the hand woven blanket closer, digging my body deeper into the mattress, not wanting to leave the safety and security it brought.
I smiled and squealed, reveling in the fact that today was my grand opening. Not only that, since I’d been here, I hadn’t had that feeling of needing to look over my shoulder. My heart and mind were beginning to feel settled in Rose Haven. If I ever saw that cop again, I’d give him a free box of my specialty sweet potato cinnamon rolls.
I smiled and reached over towards my nightstand to grab my phone. Out of habit, I opened the Instagram app to see if people were still looking for me. I’d hoped they would let this go. The one saving grace about this place was none of them cared for social media. So, I didn’t have to worry about someone calling in the media.
I scrolled until I came upon a gossip page to see my old manager standing in front of a large group of people. He looked to be hosting a press conference. I clicked on the video and his booming voice came through.
“Amore would never just up and leave. They planted the letter I found and someone had to have gotten her phone to send the text message. I am her manager. She would have run this by me before just dropping her life. I don’t believe it and the police department isn’t taking it seriously enough for me. So we need to do the job they aren’t doing and find her. I don’t care what we have to do, but we need to locate her.”
My eyes widened as I watched someone who I thought always had my best interest at heart. But this press conference made me feel more like property than a person he truly cared about. Being around these folks in Rose Haven showed me whatit looked like to be treated like a person. And what Henderson was doing wasn’t it.
I specifically wrote how I didn’t want to be found. I thought my letter was clear enough that he would know I wasn’t being taken against my will. Not to mention I’m sure the cop told him I was fine. Which is why he is throwing shots at the department. The intensity in his eyes let me know he was desperate for my return. Only money made someone that desperate.
I locked my phone and swung my feet over the side of the bed. I stretched, then made my way into my bathroom to get cleaned up for the day.
After I brushed my teeth, showered, did my hair, and got dressed. I made my way down to the bakery. It was still early; I needed to prep and start baking for the opening if I wanted to open on time. A knock at the side door pulled me out of my zone for a moment.
I jogged over and lifted the blinds to see Jessa, Aubree, and Miss Lottie. They held big smiles and cups of coffee; I assumed. I quickly unlocked the door and stepped to the side so they could walk in. Everyone gave me a light hug as they passed, leaving Miss Lottie last, who held me a bit longer and kissed my cheek before entering.
“So where do you need us?” Jessa asked.
I looked around at everyone, my eyes misting because they didn’t have to be here, but they were.
I clasped my hands in front of me, then pointed toward the large metal tables in the center of the room, covered in dough.
“Well, first, thank you. I know you could have been doing other things this morning, but I definitely need all the help I can get until I can hire someone.”
“No worries, girl. We’re here, but you’re definitely going to need to find you some help once these folks get a taste of your deserts,” Aubree said.
I smiled and instructed them to head to the sinks to wash their hands, then we got everything prepped and into the oven. The night before, I’d baked over two hundred cupcakes in different flavors, hoping I’d sell them all. I wasn’t sure if I was overdoing it or not, but something had taken over me.
I even made the frosting and fillings that would go into each one, so it was more of me showing them how to pipe the cupcakes than make them. The dough on the metal table were my pink lemonade scones. I’d planned to have those served during my morning rush. So I didn’t want to make too many of them. They tasted better when they were fresh. In addition, we were doing a raspberry almond danish, and Peach Cobbler Muffins.
A few hours had gone by, and I was adding the finishing touches. Jessa and Aubree headed out into the bakery to make sure the tables were set the way I wanted. Miss Lottie stayed behind with me, helping arrange the treats onto metal trays for the pastry case.
Once I was satisfied, I packed a few of each item into three boxes just for them as a thank you, then set them aside so we wouldn’t mix them up with what we were selling.
Sugar Kissed would be opening in thirty minutes, and to my surprise, a line had already formed outside. I wiped down the pastry case and counters one more time, like they weren’t already spotless. Today needed to go perfectly.
In my mind, today had to make sense. It had to work, or leaving my old life behind meant nothing. Like maybe all I was good for was being a sex symbol—and nothing more. I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes for a moment.
Then soft hands wrapped around mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. I opened my eyes to find Miss Lottie looking back at me, her warm brown gaze steady.
“You got this, honey. Don’t let doubt creep in now. It doesn’t belong here when you have the talent and you’ve done the work. You just needed an audience to see it. Which, as you can see, the entire town of Rose Haven seems to be waiting on the sidewalk,” she said.
I chuckled and looked around my shop, taking in the cream, pink, and gold accents. I wanted the place to feel like one of the Paris bakeries I’d visited had been dropped smack dab in the middle of this beautiful small town. They deserved the essence of luxury.
