Page 9 of Grounding the Baker
“I have a feeling you’re going to anyway, so do you really need my permission?”
“Well, I was trying to be polite. Look, I think you and Liam could be... God, you could be perfect for each other. Well, I know Liam better than you, and you are his ideal man.”
He couldn’t help but smile at that. Was he really?
“But . . . the timing is lousy.”
He nodded. Liam was going through a lot right now. Austin would never push anything.
“And I don’t just mean for Liam. You’re still grieving as well, Austin, and you’ve just uprooted your life to move back here. And why did you do that?”
“For Maisie.”
“Precisely. And Liam isn’t going anywhere. In fact, that’s why he’s in London today, to quit that big job he has and stay here.”
“What?”
“I don’t know all the details, but he earns a lot in that job, over a hundred grand a year or something.”
Jesus Christ. How did he earn that much before he wasthirty? Austin could never imagine earning that kind of money. Sylvie must have been so proud of him. Austin couldn’t help but be proud of him, and he barely knew the guy.
“But he’s going to give that all up so he can run this place, for Sylvie.”
“What about his dad?”
“He hasn’t been in here since she died, and he was never the baker anyway. That was always her and Liam. The plan was for him to take it over one day. That day just came a lot earlier than any of us thought.”
Austin’s heart went out to Liam. He was giving up his career to follow his mother’s dream and be there for his dad, but who was there for Liam? Did he have people supporting him who were just for him?
“I just want to be his friend, Giselle. You’ve nothing to worry about.”
“You can’t bullshit me, Austin Calder. I can see in your eyes how much you want that boy.”
“Please don’t call him a boy. You make me sound like a pervert.”
“Just think about what I said, will you?”
He nodded and took another sip of his coffee. She had given him a lot to think about. Right now, Liam probably needed a friend. Someone close by, who was just there to support him. That’s what Austin would focus on being for him.
“What are you doing here?”asked Gerard, giving Austin a hug.
“Can’t I pop in and visit a friend without having to book an appointment?”
“Of course. Let’s go upstairs. The lunch rush is done, so it’s quiet. They can survive without me for a while.”
“I’m sure they’ll struggle to cope,” said Austin, looking at the fact that only six tables were occupied, with three staff working the floor.
“Do you want my advice or not?”
“Who said I came to you for advice?”
Gerard gave one of hisreallylooks, which made Austin laugh. He followed Gerard through the private entrance to their flat above the pub, which probably had a bigger square footage than his own cottage. Their place had such a warm, lived-in feel to it, he couldn’t help but feel relaxed whenever he walked in here.
“Wine or beer?” asked Gerard.
“Er . . . a cup of tea.”
“God, you really are old, aren’t you?”
