“But, you don’t even know me.”
I mean, other than my life story that I just blabbed on about for the last half hour.
“I know enough. You’re a single mom who needs a job, and I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to offer you one.”
“I don’t have any real-work experience.”
“That’s okay. We’ll give you on-the-job training.”
“What would I be doing?”
“Do you like to bake? Or would you rather wait on customers? I need help in both areas. Although, honestly, working in the kitchen would offer more flexibility. You could go nurse your daughter in between baking batches.”
“I love to bake,” I murmured softly.
“Perfect! When can you start?”
“I need to talk to my parents about this. I don’t have my own car, and I’m not sure my mom would be willing to loan me hers every day, or if she’d be willing to watch Ruthie…”
“You can always bring the baby here. There’s a crib already set up in my office for when I bring my six-month-old son, Conor in.”
This is definitely too good to be true.
I gave myself a little pinch to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Let me talk to my parents tonight.”
Lainey pulled a business card from her apron pocket, flipped it over, and wrote on the back before handing it to me.
“That’s my cell number. Send me a text and let me know what you decide. I’ll understand if you turn it down, but I really hope you don’t. I think you’d like it here, and I know we’d love to have you.”
They’d “love to have me”. I couldn’t remember the last time someone told me that.
“I think I would love being here, too.”
“Good. And now that that’s out of the way… you gotta tell me what you think of my cookies!”
I tentatively took a bite of the frosted shortbread design and chewed thoughtfully.
“It’s delicious.”
Jade smiled as she nibbled on her own tulip cookie, although hers had blue frosting. “I know, right? These are my favorite.”
I scrutinized the remaining treat before asking Lainey, “You made these?”
“Of course! And you will, too.” The panic must have shown on my face because she added, “Eventually. When you’re ready.”
As I took another bite, I doubted I’d ever be capable of making anything so beautiful and tasty.
But I knew I wanted to try.
Now to convince my parents this was a good idea.
Chapter Three
Jessica
“Hey, I’m home!” I called as I tried to tamp down the sense of dread as I walked through the front door.
