Anonymous(7)

“So am I.”





Three





Ellie





My partner in crime, Vikki Nelson, is already in the parking lot when I arrive at the bakery. She’s forty-two with auburn hair and green eyes. Her smooth, milky skin would make you think she’s in her mid-twenties. Every time she’s with her teenage daughter, people think they’re sisters.

“Happy late birthday,” she calls out, waiting for me by the back door. She’s carrying what looks to be a small pan of lasagna. “I know I texted you Saturday to wish it to you, but it’s not the same as saying it face to face.” I hug her hard and look down at the pan. She holds it up to me. “It’s for you. I made it last night. I thought we could eat it for lunch today.”

I hug her again. “You’re the best. Thank you so much. You know I love your lasagna.”

Vikki’s brows furrow and she giggles. “Is there a reason for this perma-smile?” she asks, flourishing her hand around my face.

“Actually, there is.” My heart races just thinking about last night. Taking her hands, I squeeze them tight. “Jake and I are going to try and have a baby.”

Her eyes light up and she squeals so loud it hurts my ears. And when she starts jumping up and down, I can’t help but jump with her. The excitement is overwhelming, but it’s a good feeling. “Oh my God, Ellie, I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve wanted a baby for a while.” She hugs me for a few seconds and then lets me go.

“I have, but it was never the right time,” I confess. “Now, it couldn’t feel more right.” I walk through the bakery and turn on all the lights. “I know it might take a while since I’ve been on the pill for years, but I’m hoping it happens soon.”

Vikki wipes down the glass cases and grins. “It only took a month after stopping the pill to get pregnant with my daughter. It’ll happen for you.”

I open the blinds and peer out at our small, downtown streets of Pinecrest, North Carolina. A cop drives by like he does every morning, while two of our notorious locals, Everett and his retired buddy Gene, walk into the coffee shop across the street. Everett is our town Santa Claus and has a real, white beard to prove it. The kids love him to death.

“Ellie, you have to try these,” Vikki calls out from the back.

When I get to the kitchen, Vikki has about twenty-five truffles, chocolate-covered with pink sugar crystals on top, on the counter. “Do I smell strawberry?” I ask, feeling my stomach growl.

Vikki picks up one of the truffles and hands it to me. I bite right into it and it melts in my mouth. Closing my eyes, I toss the rest of the truffle in my mouth and moan. “These are amazing. The strawberry flavor is out of this world.”

Vikki beams. “That’s because I used extra strawberries in the batter.”

I grab another one off the counter and pop it into my mouth. “Let’s put some in the case to sell, but I want to take a couple home.”

Vikki laughs. “I figured that. I’ll bag yours up and put the rest out. They’re going to sell fast today.”



* * *



Our busiest times of the day are around lunch, when people want that sweet fix after they eat, and in the afternoon, when people get off work. We always have loads of treats in our display cases, ranging from flavored truffles, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, cakes by the slice, and Rice Krispy treats. Our main money makers are the cupcakes and custom cakes.

Vikki is at the front of the shop, helping the last of the lunch rush, so I go to the back to heat up our food. We have a bell at the door, so that if anyone comes in we’ll hear it, but I hate it when customers come in and there’s no one to greet them. That’s why I always like to stay up front if I can.

Once the lasagna is heated, I load up two plates and Vikki joins me. Our break room is decently sized with a small kitchen and refrigerator that’s separate from our bakery. It’s a place my nieces can do their homework and hang out when the bakery is slow.

The lasagna is as amazing as always, and I eat it slowly to savor it. “Do you mind if I take the rest home?” I ask.

Vikki shakes her head. “Not at all. I made it for you.”

I finish the last few bites and sit back in my chair. “Thanks. With Jake gone for a couple of days, I can eat this and not have to worry about cooking for myself. Plus, now, I have an excuse to give his boss.”

“He still calls you when Jake goes out of town?”

“Yep.”

“Doesn’t Jake find that strange?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. He could totally just be genuinely concerned about my well-being when Jake’s gone. He’s never said anything sexual to me.”

“Thank God,” Vikki laughs. “He might not want to either. I wouldn’t want to go up against your hubby. He’s a trained fighter.”

“Randy wouldn’t stand a chance.” And just like that, my phone rings and his name pops up.

Vikki looks down at it and clears her throat. “Speak of the devil.”

She takes our plates to the sink and watches me as I answer the phone. I put it on speakerphone, so she can hear. “Hi, Randy.”

“Elizabeth, how are you?”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Just took a quick lunch break. How are you?”