I groan at the thin line of sunlight sneaking through the bedsheets I hung up at curtains over the sliding glass doors. It’s like lead has settled through the marrow of my bones. This has to be what boxers feel like the day after a fight.
Spent and exhausted.
All I’d want is you at my side.
Walker’s voice flits through my head as my phone buzzes. I remember back to the flickering pain behind his eyes. His heartbreak that is clearly still fresh in his mind even though it happened years ago.
One month, that’s all it took for someone to leave him with a scar that still casts shadows behind his eyes. A part of me I can’t explain wants to scratch at Rachel’s face for ever hurting him.
My phone buzzes again and it makes me smile. No doubt the guys are texting me back. The thought alone makes my heartwarm. I’m too tired to move, though. I squeeze my eyes shut as I roll over onto my back, the air mattress beneath me creaking with the weight of my body and blankets.
I miss my bed-nest.
My mind wanders as the slit of light drifting in between the strung-up bed sheets grows brighter.
My cell phone rings, and that makes me reach for it. Not that I don’t want to text the guys back, I’ve just never been a morning person. I assume it’s Walker, already raising those hackles of his because I haven’t responded to the texts in an appropriate amount of time.
However, when I get my phone in front of my face, it’s a number I don’t recognize. A number that’s not saved in my phone.
I answer immediately, hoping maybe it’s another client. I’ll need another client if I’m going to replace things I’ve lost in my apartment. Everything in my current budget is tapped out to the max.
I clear my throat and do a few test words before I answer. “This is Lia, owner of Lia’s Kitchen Creations, how may I help?”
“Well,” the female voice says on the other end of the line, “at least I know I dialed the right number. Hey there, Lia. It’s Tansy, from The Gilded Lady. I hope I’m not calling too early?”
Hope fills my chest as I force myself upright a little too quickly. The world tilts for a moment, but I close my eyes and disregard it.
“Miss Tansy, hello. Good morning.”
She groans. “Please, none of that ‘miss’ crap. I hate it when people call me that. Makes me feel old.”
Already mucking things up. Great. “My apologies. How can I help you?”
“I’ll get straight to it because I’ve already got a busy day ahead of me. I’m drowning, Lia. How quickly can you get in here?”
I hold in all of my struggle sounds as I get myself out of the air mattress on the floor. “I can be there in half an hour. Is everything okay? What do I need to bring with me?”
Tansy gives a dramatic sigh. “I’ve got three wedding cake tastings this week alone for summer weddings, and my regular orders aren’t slowing down. I need hands. Competent ones.”
I make my way into the kitchen, rushing to get some water on the stove for my morning tea from Dr. Quinn. “I can absolutely help. What are you wanting to off-load?”
“Pastries and danishes. I haven’t even started on them today. My windows are usually filled come this time, and I haven’t even started. The only pastries and danishes I’ve got out are the ones from yesterday.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That won’t do. How long do you need me there?”
“As long as it takes for you to fill these store shelves for the day. Maybe more, if we don’t hate each other. Usually takes me around three hours once I get the oven rotations going.”
“Not a problem, I’ve got that time to spare today.”
“You good with buttercream under pressure?”
I snort softly as I turn on the stove burner to heat the water. “I’ve survived worse.”
“Good answer. You said half an hour?”
I rush toward my plastic pull-out drawer of clothes. “Yep, give me thirty and I’ll be there. Preheat the ovens for me, that’ll help cut down cook time.”
“On it. I’ll pull out ingredients, too, so you can get going once you get here. And I’m sure you already know this, but don’t wear anything precious. Flour gets everywhere when we’re moving at the speed of light. See you soon.”
