“I’ll get it, Ma.” Shade chuckled. “You go make those cakes.”
Reyelle sighed and went back into the back room where she did her baking.
“What’s that about?” Birdee asked.
“Mom’s having some issues today.” Shade shrugged. “She decided to divorce my stepfather.”
“Thank god,” Birdee groaned.
We all gave our orders and listened as Shade explained the new and awful things that Reyelle’s husband, Stacy, was doing to her.
Honestly, I never liked the guy much myself.
I hated how Stacy had a roaming eye that tended to lean more toward young teens than adults.
He was a sick bastard that didn’t deserve a woman like Reyelle.
Speaking of Reyelle, she came out with a tray of spice cakes that smelled delicious, causing the quiet conversation to halt entirely.
“Stop talking about me unless you’re going to include me in the conversation,” Reyelle ordered as she slid the tray into the display case.
Quiet chuckles.
Fifteen minutes later, and thirty minutes late, I rolled into my office with Nettie’s stack of food and coffee in one hand, and her hand in the other.
Everyone at the office loved Nettie, and it showed the moment they saw her.
The front office attendants got up with a flourish and gave her hugs.
Rhett picked her right off her feet, causing Nettie to laugh.
I tried really hard not to get angry that he was touching something that was most definitely mine.
Young came out to see what all the fuss was about and whooped, heading straight toward her.
The noise caught Holly and Charlene’s attention, and they too came out of the back.
Holly hung back while Charlene smiled her quiet smile and waved shyly.
Nettie blew the woman a kiss but didn’t make a move toward her, knowing Charlene’s need for space.
Holly watched the interactions with everyone with a narrow-eyed look on her face.
“Holly,” I said to the newest member of the crew. “Come meet my soon-to-be wife.”
Swift inhales, even from Holly.
Then the shouting started.
Nettie giggled, but I didn’t miss the narrowed eyes she aimed at me as she accepted her congratulations.
Holly came forward and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the excitement to calm.
“Don’t you all have some work to do?” I asked curiously after it didn’t stop.
Groans filled the air.
Everyone filtered out with final hugs and got back to work, leaving Holly, Nettie, and I standing in the lobby.
