“Go ahead. Tell him to come for a weekend.” She finally looks at me.
“Are you sure?”
“No. But I want you to be happy, and I don’t want to get in the way of that. I know I can be stubborn sometimes, but this is something I know I can’t be stubborn about. I’m not going to talk to him. I still feel the same way toward him.”
“What if you run into him?”
She shrugs. “I’ll handle it when that time comes.”
My shoulders sag in relief. “Thank you.”
“Rowan, I love you. You’re my brother. I’ll put my bullshit aside and deal with it.”
“I really appreciate that.” I stand up and hold out my arms.
She gets up and wraps her arms around me for a quick hug. When we pull back, she folds her arms across her chest and looks at me.
“How is everything going with Ellie? I’ve been so busy with things; I haven’t really had time to catch up with her.”
I beam at the sound of her name. “Everything is going great. She still hears from Charlie from time to time, but hopefully that will stop soon.”
Addie winces. “I hope so. What if he keeps bothering her?”
“Then I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
“Rowan, you don’t fight.”
“But for her, I would.”
sixty-two
ELLIE
I step backafter setting everything up for the festival. I’ve been placed in one of the most popular areas for people to come by. I was lucky. I’m also nervous. I shouldn't be questioning my profession, but I think it's because I grew up here, where everyone knows me.
I shouldn’t be considering what I do professionally, but I think because this is where I grew up, and everyone knows me.
I have all the goodies perfectly displayed. Riley and Hailey helped put everything in individual boxes, along with Hailey creating a logo for me. They convinced me to use a name I’d have as a bakery versus just Ellie Thompson.
It didn’t take long for me to share the name that I’d thought about for days on end. I wanted it to sound light and cute. Simple. I look at one of the small brown boxes, and on top is a round sticker that displays the nameHoney Cakes.The name is below a design of a small whisk and spatula with two curved wreaths on the side. Below the name, it readshomemade sweets.
She also made the design into a banner to hang over the table and created a board that shows everything we’re selling and the cost. Rowan and James set up a canopy for shade, which caused Riley to freak out due to how “ugly” it looks, and she bought powdered blue and white balloons.
It looks so official. My emotions turn into a rollercoaster of sad, nervous, and happy because I get to share my pastries. Sad, because I’ve left a place that didn’t bring me that happiness anymore. And nervous, because well, you know.
“It looks perfect, El! I am so excited. I can’t wait,” Riley says excitedly to me. “Didn’t Hailey do such a cool job on the logo? It looks like the real deal.”
“I’m happy that I was able to provide my artistic skills for you.” Hailey walks toward us.
“Considering you’re a tattoo artist; I’d hope they would have come out cute.” Riley gives Hailey a smart-ass smile.
“Glad you put your trust in me, sis.”
“Have you seen Rowan today?” Riley looks at me.
“Just this morning. He helped get everything here but then had to go back home. His dad is coming to stay for the weekend,” I tell them nervously.
Riley’s eyes widen. “What, oh my gosh. Does Addie know?”
