Anonymous(20)

“I’m sure there are lots of amazing people in Phoenix.” She squeezes my hand again and I look in her loving green eyes. “You’ll find someone to work with. Think about how amazing it’s going to feel, knowing you’re spreading your wings. Soon, the whole country will know about your bakeries.”

I snort. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here. I’m a small fish in a massive ocean. The chances of that are slim.”

She shrugs. “Have a little faith, my darling. You never know what’ll happen.”

My phone beeps and when I pull it out of my pocket, my stomach drops. The breath whooshes out of my lungs, but instead of feeling fear . . . it’s anger. Sliding my chair back, I storm over to the window and look out.

“Ellie, what’s wrong?” Vikki calls out.

I look up and down the street, but I don’t see him. “Look at my phone.”

Her gasp is full of horror. “Holy shit.” She rushes over and hands me the phone. “This is getting very strange, Ellie. I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I.”

Huffing, she flips up her finger at the window, and then closes the blinds. “What are you going to do?”

I find Owen’s number and press send. “It’s got to stop. I can’t let it go any further. He’s literally stalking me now.”

Owen answers on the second ring. “Hey, Ells.”

Taking a deep breath, I huff. “I have a problem.”

“What’s up?”

“I just got another text and it’s crossing a line. Whatever you need to do to get a restraining order on Bryan, I’d really appreciate it.”

He growls. “What the fuck has he done now?”

I look over at the window. “He sent a text saying I look beautiful in my green shirt; that he knows it’ll bring out the green in my hazel eyes. Guess what, Owen? I’m wearing a green shirt. He’s out there watching me, right now.”

“Jesus Christ,” he snaps. “I’m still trying to find the piece of shit. He’s incognito right now. Do me a favor and don’t leave the bakery. I’ll head over and follow you home when you close up. Just don’t tell Jake yet. We both know he’ll lose his shit.” He hangs up and I walk back over to the window. After all this time, why is Bryan doing this to me now?



* * *



The day drags on, and luckily, there are no more texts. It kills me not to tell Jake, but Owen has a point. Jake has so much to deal with at work, and I don’t want him not able to focus because of what’s going on with me.

“Want anything to drink?” my niece, Rebecca, asks Owen as she sweeps the floor by him. His back is to me, but I can tell his vigilant gaze is focused on the streets that are now getting dusted with snow.

He shakes his head. “I’m good, Becca. Thanks though.” I’m glad he’s wearing regular clothes, or else my customers might think something’s wrong. That’s the last thing I need. It’s already bad enough that my mind is somewhere else and not on my baking.

“Have you talked to Kimberly at all?” I call out.

His body tenses for a second, and then he gives me a quick glance over his shoulder. “She won’t return my phone calls. Guess you could say we’re completely done.”

My heart hurts for him. “You know, you never really told me what happened between you two. I know you weren’t too keen to get married and have kids just yet. Was that it?”

He shrugs. “It was that and a lot of other things, Ells. She was too needy at times, a lot self-absorbed, and I just couldn’t be there for her like she wanted me to. Not to mention, she didn’t trust me. Every time I came home late, she’d accuse me of being with someone else.”

“And were you?” I ask, not sure why I was questioning him. Owen wasn’t the type to sleep around.

“No,” he answers. “You know how much I’m devoted to my job.”

Sadly, I do. “Maybe she’s not the one for you, Owen. I’m sure there’s someone else out there.”

“I’m sure there is,” he says with a sigh.

Rebecca finishes the sweeping and joins me behind the counter. Her dark blonde hair and brown eyes are just like my sister’s. It makes me wonder if my baby will look like me or Jake. I can’t wait to find out.

Vikki nudges me in the side. “I made some more chocolate-strawberry truffles.” Rebecca grabs one and pops it into her mouth. Vikki shakes her head and smiles. “I’m going to put them in the case.” I nod and finish icing up the last of the red velvet cupcakes.

Rebecca sighs and sits down by the cash register. “I still can’t believe you’re moving. In two years, I’ll be going off to college. I won’t get to see you much.”

Eyes burning, I hug her hard. “I know, but at least you’ll always have a summer job. And I’ll be back before you know it.”

Rebecca lets me go and wipes away her tears. “I should probably clock out and head home. I have a test to study for.”

I nod. “Go. School is more important than here. Plus, you need to get home before the snow piles up.” The main roads are easy to drive on because the city keeps them plowed, but the back roads are where the real problems arise.