Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(73)

“Congratulations, Shelby,” he said. “We’re all proud of you and happy for you. You’re going to do great.”

He pulled a rope and a banner rolled down. On it were the stylized psychedelic daisies she’d chosen for her Flour Power logo.

Tears filled her eyes. “You did this for me,” she whispered.

He raised one shoulder. “It’s not every day you get to celebrate something this big.”

Kipling came up and put his arm around her. “You did good, kid. Thank you for letting me be a part of this.” He raised his chin toward Aidan. “He thought this up himself. I wish I had, but he’s the one who arranged everything and called us all. He’s a good man, Shelby. Just in case you were thinking of keeping him around.”

*

DEMOLITION WAS LOUD and construction was louder still. Shelby supposed she’d always known that, but knowing and hearing were two different things. The construction crew had shown up bright and early every morning and worked until six.

The newly leased space was now an empty shell and on the Ambrosia side of the building everything was gone except the old kitchen. That equipment still had years left in it. They would keep it as it was.

That meant she and her team could bake from six at night until six in the morning, then sell at the kiosk a dozen yards from the bakery. But the guys working every day meant packing up everything needed to produce pastries and cupcakes and cookies, then storing it until it was needed the next day. The logistics were daunting, but worth it, she told herself.

Shelby watched the clock. It was the Friday morning of Spring Fling weekend. Tourists filled the sidewalks, taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Tomorrow was the parade. Shelby had a feeling they were going to sell out early today and with the construction going on, there was no way to bake more. They would have to adjust their schedule tonight. Which meant she needed to get home and get some sleep. But first she had a stop to make.

She walked toward Paper Moon. As she smiled at people she knew, she found herself missing Aidan. He’d only been gone overnight and he would be back on Sunday, and it wasn’t like they spent every second together, but still. She didn’t like knowing he was out of town.

Her emotions confused her. The odd sensations she got when she was around him. She knew some of that came from the fact that they’d had sex. But there was something else going on. Something she couldn’t put her finger on. Lately she’d found herself thinking about what would happen in June. How they would go back to their regular lives. Sure, they’d still be friends, but it wouldn’t be the same. Only she didn’t want things to be different. So what did that mean?

She walked into the bridal salon and found Madeline straightening veils.

“Hi, you,” her friend said. “What’s going on? How’s the construction?”

“Loud, but they’re making good progress. How are things with you?”

“Okay. Work’s great.” Madeline wrinkled her nose. “Jonny’s in Italy. I’m going to join him next week, but I miss him.”

Shelby knew the feeling. Only she couldn’t say that. She and Aidan were just friends, while Madeline was going to marry Jonny. Their situations were different.

Madeline put down the veil she’d been fluffing. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. You seem like... You want a cup of coffee? I made a pot. We can go in my office. I don’t have any appointments this morning and Rosalind can handle any walk-ins.”

“Sure.”

Shelby followed Madeline into the back. They got their coffee, then retreated to Madeline’s small office. Shelby sat across from her friend.

“Is it Aidan?” Madeline asked gently. “I heard about the lunch at Jo’s. He was a hit with everyone. I’m sorry I missed it.”

Madeline had been unable to come because of an appointment with a bride. Shelby held her mug in both hands as she tried to figure out what to say.

“I’m confused,” she admitted. “You know why I wanted to get to know Aidan.”

“Of course. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about your plan, but it’s working. You like him and you trust him. Right? Is there something wrong?”

“No. He’s great. He’s nice and funny and reasonable about stuff. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him. We’re good together. Good friends.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know. I feel strange. Uneasy.”

“Have your feelings turned romantic?”

“No,” Shelby said quickly. “Of course not.” They couldn’t have. Sex wasn’t love. It was...different. “I just don’t want to lose what we have.”

Madeline sipped her coffee. “Okay, okay, I get it. You put a time limit on your relationship. That’s what has you uneasy. Your project or experiment or whatever you want to call it was only supposed to last six months. You want to make sure that you don’t lose Aidan. So don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t stop being friends with him. There’s no rule that says you have to. If it’s working for the two of you, keep doing that. Hang out. Whatever.”

That. Shelby held in a smile. She would like to keep doing that with Aidan, very much. But she knew what Madeline meant.