Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“You sure? You know if you need me all you have to do is call.”
I knew he meant it, and that was enough to have tears springing to my eyes. I missed him now that he was gone so much, but a part of me was fiercely glad he was out there forging a life for himself. He'd been hiding away with me and Grams for way too long.
“I know. I love you. Go have fun.”
“Love you too, Daze.”
We hung up and I kept walking, feeling like I'd lost something, which was stupid because J.T. was still my best friend, and he always would be. He absolutely would have come home if I needed him to, just like if he needed me I'd drop everything to get to him.
But he had that friend waiting for him. The friend he still hadn't told me about.
I wasn't going to be the one to hold him back. And I wasn't going to ruin his night so I could whine about my shitty relationship with my parents. I'd survive, and one of us should have some fun.
I drew closer to Sweetheart Bakery but stopped in the middle of a block to check out the menu posted in a restaurant window. I wasn't going to try a full lunch service out of the bakery, but I had my eye open for simple ideas I could add to a modified lunch menu.
Once I got that little deck built and put out tables and chairs, I'd be able to serve sit-down meals for a good chunk of the year. If I could afford to cover part of the deck, I could use clear curtains and a space heater to extend the season.
A pang hit me when I thought about the change in schedule and all the money I had to save all over again.
Get over it, I ordered myself. You made this mess. Now you have to live with it.
The phone rang in my hand and I looked down to see Royal's name on the screen. I answered before I could talk myself out of it.
Chapter Nineteen
Daisy
Hey,” I said, way too eager for the sound of his voice.
“Hey back. What are you doing?”
With uncharacteristic honesty, I blurted out, “Walking home from family dinner at Grams' and feeling sorry for myself. How about you?”
“Sitting at my desk, also feeling sorry for myself. Want to come have a pity party with me? I have truffles and a split of champagne.”
“You have truffles and a split of champagne at your desk? Maybe I should have you come over to the bakery and stock my office. Why are you feeling sorry for yourself? Did you have a bad day?”
“I'll tell you all about it if you come to The Inn. Did you walk past it already?”
I had, kind of. The road from Grams' house hit Main Street in the middle. The bakery was on one end and The Inn on the other. Going to The Inn would mean retracing half my walk, plus adding another few blocks. I didn't care. I wasn't that tired. Especially not if Royal was my destination.
“I'm on my way.”
“See you soon,” Royal said, sending a thrill of anticipation through me.
Getting involved with Royal might be a bad idea. I wouldn't know until it was too late. But it didn't feel like a bad idea, and when it came to Royal, I was going with my gut. I sure as hell wasn't taking my mom's advice.
Just because Grams had fallen for a fast-talking older guy who left her pregnant at 16 and my mom had let my dad talk her into dropping out of college to marry him didn't mean I was going to pick a loser, too.
Royal was anything but a loser.
My feet moved faster on the way back toward The Inn. I could hardly believe it when I looked up and spotted Royal coming down the street toward me. He turned just as he pulled even with me, reaching out to take my hand. We walked side by side back toward The Inn, his fingers wrapped around mine, saying nothing.
I didn't need words just then. His presence at my side was enough to smooth the rough edges left by dinner with my parents. When we reached The Inn, Royal guided me around the side, through the parking lot.
“It's a nice night, so I thought I'd show you the gardens. I promise the gardens at The Inn are much better than Heartstone's. And I want to show you the project I've been working on.”
“That sounds great,” I said. “I'd love to see The Inn’s gardens.” As we rounded the building and stepped onto the gravel path, a young woman in an Inn uniform strode up and handed Royal a basket. With a nod at Royal and me, she disappeared.