Page 15 of Heartbreak & Cupcakes
The first time around with AJ, Ash had taken care of all that. I’d been working as much overtime as I could—and there was always overtime to be had—to support my young family. I wasn’t even old enough to vote, I was barely old enough to have a driver’s license and I had three mouths to feed, clothe, and keep a roof over our heads. There were a lot of weeks that I worked over twelve hours a day, seven days a week. But my family never went without.
Both Mrs. G and Lexi arrived at the kitchen island at the same time wearing matching scowls. Their plates were already sitting in front of them. I served one a steaming cup of coffee and the other a glass of pulpless orange juice.
“Thank you,” they both mumbled as they ate and drank.
My job here was done. I kissed Lexi on the top of her head and smiled at Mrs. G.
“You ladies have a great day.”
They both mumbled something under their breaths.
Mrs. G responded with, “You, too.”
Lexi went with her patented, “Okey pokey.”
As I walked to the elevator, my heart started beating faster. I’d told myself that I was not going to stop by Sweet Temptations today and I planned on keeping that promise to myself.
There was no point, other than to torture myself.
When the doors opened to the parking garage, Frank was waiting with my SUV. Frank had been the first foreman that I’d worked for. I remember thinking at the time that he was so old and mature, but in reality, he’d been in his late twenties, which was young for the responsibility he’d had.
He’d retired from construction eight years ago and by then I’d already started Vaughn Holdings. He’d asked if I needed a driver. I hadn’t, not at the time. But I’d taken him up on it because I owed him everything I had.
When I sat down in the back, Frank turned around and asked, “Bakery stop?”
Without the slightest hesitation, I responded, “Yes.”
Tomorrow.I’d skip going tomorrow.
