Clara smiled."I was hoping you'd say that.We want to help.We can decorate for you and create a little ambiance."
My heart rate picked up."What did you have in mind?"
Belle squealed."Let's get to work."
The girls worked quickly to hang twinkling lights from the ceiling in the seating area of the bakery.Then they set up a tree by the window with Christmas decorations, a requirement in this town.
They’d brought a box of automatic candles that were flickering around the room.Music played over the surround-sound speakers we'd installed.
"It's possible that Reina won't be able to see past the shiny new ovens in the kitchen, but if she does, she'll love this," I said to Clara as we worked.
"I think she's going to notice," she said simply.
I wanted to ask how Reina was doing, if she was still upset with me.But it wasn't appropriate to put her friend in the middle.I'd have to wait another hour or so before I could see her for myself.
"What about the apartment upstairs?Should we decorate that?"Belle asked.
Clara shook her head."She wasn't planning on moving in right away."
"If everything goes right tonight, I'm hoping she'll stay with me."
"We're rooting for you," Clara said softly.
"One more thing."Meg pulled out a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a charcuterie board of cheese, meats, and fruit.
"You didn't have to do this for me," I said.
"We did it for Reina.She deserves so much after everything she's been through," Clara said.
"I'll agree with you there."The fire would have knocked anyone down, but not Reina.She got back up and kept going.I admired her.I loved her.I missed her.I wanted to come home to her every night if she'd have me.
Clara surprised me with a hug."Good luck."
"Thanks for everything."They'd thought of things I hadn't.
They filed out as quickly as they'd come in, taking all their boxes and bags with them, leaving me in the soft glow of the twinkling lights.I went to the bathroom, to ensure I didn't have any dirt or saw dust on my face or clothes.Then I washed my hands.When I came out, Reina was standing by the fireplace.There were garland and lights on the mantle and a fire burning in the grate.
My heart rate kicked up."You're early."
"I saw the lights on and thought you might be here."
"Your friends insisted on decorating.Said the place needed ambiance."
Reina smiled faintly."They're the best."
I stuffed my hands in my pockets, rocking back on my heels.She was so beautiful in a sundress with her straight hair around her shoulders."Seems like it."
She turned on her heel and tipped her head to the side."You want to show me what you've done?"
She'd switched to professional mode, and I matched her tone."You chose a soft walnut for the floors that compliments the white and pink on the walls."There was a white chair rail on the bottom half, and different shades of vertical pink stripes on the top, one shiny and one flat.It was sophisticated and classy.
She ran her hand over a table."Aspen was right.The colors complement each other."
"I love the leather seating."The chairs were a soft shade of brown."Your customers will want to stay for a while."
Reina smiled at me, and my heart skipped a beat."I hope so."
I moved toward the display case."Not only is the case larger, but the space behind it is too, so you can move around more easily and maybe even have a drink machine on the counter."
