He had to be thinking, “Who is this pathetic girl?”
And Lainey was probably reconsidering hiring me after ruining the cinnamon rollsanda customer’s shirt at the same time.
How could I be so careless?
Except I knew how.
The minute our eyes locked, it was like my axis tilted, right along with the plate of frosted baked goods in my hands.
And I’d been so proud of how they’d turned out! Like maybe working here really was going to be a good fit.
I’d been coming out to show Lainey and Jade, and then a handsome man derailed me—again.
So much for things starting to go my way.
I blew out a long breath in defeat. Add it to my lengthy list of screwups.
Ruthie began to fuss, and I checked the timer on the oven.
Ten more minutes.
Not enough time to nurse Ruth, but too long to make her wait.
I guess I was going to have to face the music.
Standing up straighter, I headed toward the front of the bakery where Lainey was. Hopefully the gods would cut me a break and at least have sent the handsome man on his way.
I came through the swinging doors and wasn’t surprised that I had no such luck. The gods hadn’t been on my side since I’d turned thirteen.
“Hey, Lainey… there’s ten minutes left on the timer for the cinnamon rolls in the oven, but my daughter just woke up.”
Lainey waved her hand dismissively from where she stood at the counter. Jade and Mr. Gorgeous sat at a nearby table drinking coffee.
“I got it—no worries. Go take care of your baby girl.”
“Thank you.”
I’d just turned to head back into the kitchen when a deep voice called, “Why don’t you bring your daughter out here when you’re done?”
Slowly, I looked back at the man.
“Why?”
He furrowed his brows at my question.
“Um. Because I’d like to meet her? Who doesn’t love babies?”
Her father, for starters.
Jon knew she’d been born and still had never even asked to see her.
Lainey shook her head.
“No, we’re probably going to get the rush of people coming to grab their pastries for the morning. She shouldn’t be out here then.”
Her change of heart about Ruthie caught me off guard, and I mumbled, “I promise I won’t let anyone know she’s here.”
“No! That’s not why! You said she’s only five weeks, right? So, she probably hasn’t had her vaccinations yet. She shouldn’t be around too many people until she’s had her shots. I don’t want her to get sick.”
