Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 13908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
I sigh. "Well, Dad was a mess. It was the right thing to do back then. Finishing grad school just didn't seem important anymore. Five years later, it's still not that important. I've been able to run my business with some degree of success, but these loans are killing me right now because it's so slow."
She lets out a soft exhale. "That's why it's only right that we try to help you after what you gave up for us. So listen to me now when I say, do something for yourself. Dean makes you happy. I know everything isn't perfect, but you should take a chance with him. Even if it's to distract you from work or inspire you to try something new to drum up more clients."
"Why are you sounding so reasonable this early in the morning? I like Dean a lot, but he is so quiet and grumpy, and I'm not. He's so considerate and has his life together, and I'm a fucking mess."
Maddie reaches over the center gear shift to tap my hand as she parks behind my car in front of the bar. In the brightness of the morning, there's a peaceful glow shining on the locked doors and shuttered windows.
I'm ready to get out when Maddie's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. She says, "You're not a mess. You've had a shitty eighteen months, and that's life. You've always told me not to let one setback set me all the way back."
"Maddie, it feels like everything is snowballing. These bills and loans are catching up to me. I can't thank you enough for helping me out, but it's not right for my younger sister to continually come to my financial rescue."
She smiles and inhales deeply with a side glance at me. "Don't mention it. We're family. Mom died your first year of grad school, and you took on everything for us. The least I can do is help you out whenever I can. And my help to you this morning, outside of dropping you off, is to tell you to date Dean. You've been crushing on him for as long as he's been making googly eyes at you."
"God, you're being extra weird this morning."
We laugh together while I try to bury the anxiety over upcoming bills that need to be paid.
She ignores me, playing her classic role as the middle child extremely well, saying, "I have some work for you once I get this house staged. I'll need some brochures and a social media campaign. You can come take a look at the place when you get a chance."
"Thanks, Maddie," I tell her as we both get out of her car.
She tips her face upward, inhaling deeply. "What is that delightful smell? Forget the pancakes. What's baking over there? That's Dean's bakery, too; why not plug him in with Rye and get some bakery ice cream collab working?"
"One thing at a time, Maddie. What you smell is a pecan streusel coffee cake muffin and probably snickerdoodle cookies that will be used to make ice cream sandwiches. On second thought, we should get Rye in on this. I was deliriously tired last night."
Maddie turns her gaze toward me. "How do you know what's on the menu?"
"Because after I helped Dean close the bar, I helped him prep the bakery, which is why my car is still here. He's probably in there right now."
Maddie doesn't let me get another word out before dragging me into the bakery, where I see the assistant baker desperately trying to man the counter as customers pile up. I skip the line to the aggravation of everyone waiting but step behind the glass display case.
It takes some convincing, but after giving her details of what's about to burn in those ovens, she lets me help. Maddie hangs back to watch in amazement as I manage the crowd and get customers out the door.
After I take over the register to help clear the morning rush, Maddie puts in a large order for the crew working on the house she's renovating. With a promise to be back after the lunch rush, she leaves me at the counter while the baker's assistant tends to the muffins and Snickerdoodle cookies. When the bell chimes over the door, I expect it to be Maddie, but instead Dean's shy smile greets me.
"Good morning, sleepy head." I flash him a grin as sweet as the muffins he has on sale.
"Mornin', Mackenna. I thought you'd be counting sheep right about now. What are you doing here?"
My eyes dart around the cozy bakery. White subway tiles line the walls, and black and soft beige floors brighten the place. The light birchwood tables offer warmth for customers sitting inside to eat their sweet treats. While I know Dean hates the social parts of his businesses, I can't help but push him to engage … even if it's just with me.