Emily
I sat at the desk and my mind instantly began to wander.
This was the part of the business that was extra tough for me.
Writing out checks. Trying to make things balance even though they didn’t want to.
It also didn’t help that I had the stupid papers from Miranda next to me.
She wanted more money.
I wasn’t sure if she was allowed to do that to me.
But if I put up a fight, then what? Our friendship would be at stake.
Of course Lucy and Ember said I had no friendship with Miranda.
They didn’t know Miranda like I did.
She was fierce and when she had a vision, she did anything to make it come true.
I sighed and folded up the papers and stuck them in the top drawer of the desk.
I set my attention back to the computer screen and went through Ember’s current purchase order.
There was no need for me to review the order.
Ember knew exactly what she needed and never wasted a penny.
That was yet another thing to be thankful for.
If you’ve ever watched those restaurant shows, you’d know how some places end up losing tons of money because they overstock.
That wasn’t Ember.
She was frugal and smart.
I approved the purchase order and submitted it.
Then I stood up and stretched my neck.
Last night had been a bit of a sleepless night. And when I did fall asleep, I would end up with my neck twisted around my head somehow and wake back up in pain.
You know where that came from though. Don’t be silly.
I looked to my right at the small mirror hanging on the wall.
I pointed to my reflection.
“Stop it,” I said to myself.
I opened the office door and Lucy jumped back and gasped.
“Lucy,” I said.
“I was just going to open the door when you did,” she said. She touched her chest. “You scared me.”
“Sorry,” I said. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I was looking for you. Someone is here to see you.”
“Who is it?”
“Someone named Liam.”
I spotted Liam sitting by himself near the front corner of the bakery.
“He insisted I give him two coffees,” Lucy said. “That is one good-looking man.”
I looked at Lucy. “That man is engaged to Miranda.”
“What?” Lucy asked. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“You should get on that before they say I do.”
“Lucy,” I said. “Miranda is my best friend. And I’ve known Liam for a long time.”
“Best friend…” Lucy rolled her eyes. “If that was me, I’d be all over that.”
“Then go get him,” I said. “Go ahead. I’ll stand here and watch.”
Lucy smiled. “Not for me, Emily. He’s all yours.”
She winked.
I walked around the counter and caught myself blushing.
Liam didn’t see me at first.
He was looking to his left.
I swallowed hard at that side view…
He’s engaged to your best friend.
I wiped my hands on my apron and took a deep breath.
Liam finally looked at me and he stood up and smiled.
“Liam,” I said.
“Hey, Emily,” he said.
Emily now? What happened to Em?
He moved away from the table and hugged me.
“Sorry, I smell like flour and coffee,” I said.
“I like that smell,” he said. “Can you sit for a minute?”
“Sure,” I said.
“I got you a coffee.”
“You didn’t need to do that,” I said as I sat down. “And you didn’t need to pay. You and Miranda never have to pay when you come here.”
“You’re running a business,” he said. “You need to make money. Not give stuff away. But that’s not why I’m here.”
“Okay. Then, what’s up?”
I felt happy near Liam. An old friend. Comfortable. It was nice.
“I was drunk last night, Emily,” he said.
“Liam…”
“Just give me a second,” he said. “I wanted to apologize about that. I had no idea you were going to be there.”
“Why should that make a difference?”
“I looked like a damn fool in front of you.”
“Liam, I’ve seen you drunk many times,” I said. “And I’ve seen you look like a damn fool many times too.”
Liam laughed. “That’s true. But I wanted to apologize. If I said anything…”
“No,” I said. “Not at all. I think Miranda was annoyed, but whatever… right?”
“She’s always annoyed,” he said. “She’s mad at me about it. I get why. She hates Jackson to begin with. So the fact that I was drinking with him and got into a bar fight… then came home drunk in front of you…”
“Seriously,” I said. “It’s fine. If you want me to talk to her I will.”
“No, I wouldn’t ask you to do that,” Liam said.
“But I want to know something.”
“Sure.”
“What was the bar fight over?”
“Nothing,” Liam said.
“How?”
“Jackson just wanted to prove a point. I guess we’re all feeling our age a little. We’re not twenty anymore, you know?”
“So you just fought some guys for no reason?” I asked.
“Stupid, huh?”
“Not really,” I said. “You have to do you.”
“I like that thought process,” Liam said. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair here. I just wanted to apologize. And… I did.”
Liam stood up.
I stood up too.
“Hey,” I said. “It’s fine, Liam. Everything. You know?”
“No. I don’t know. What do you mean?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Um… do you remember that time you got drunk and tried getting into my neighbor’s house?”
Liam laughed. “Oh. That night. I had never had expensive scotch before. I was so dumb. Me and Steve.”
“You’re lucky my neighbor could sleep through a war,” I said.
“I know,” Liam said. “And you dragged me off their porch. That was… that was fun.”
“Yeah, it was,” I said. “How is Steve?”
“Steve? He lives in Florida. Owns a software company. Married. Two kids. The whole deal. I really only know that thanks to social media.”
“Right,” I said.
My eyes moved for a split second from Liam to see my sister and niece coming into the bakery.
Liam looked. “I better get going. Your sister never liked me.”
“That was a long time ago,” I said.
“It’s always good to see you, Emily,” Liam said.
He slipped away and hurried to get the door for Elise and Henley.
Elise was my sister.
She looked at Liam, then at me, then at Liam again.
She didn’t say a word as she entered the bakery.
But my six-year-old niece did.
“Aunt Emily!” her little voice yelled.