Page 279 of A Taste of Vanilla

“Halston wants me here.”

“My suffering is private.”

“And yet, monetizable.”

He looks at the line again. Two Vipers players are near the front, each holding a Coconut Bloom from an early preview batch Marley forced us to release a half hour early for morale. Behind them, three women in Vipers caps take selfies with the chalkboard. Someone brought flowers.

Marley swings the camera toward me. “No crying before open.”

“I’m not crying.”

“Your eyes are shimmering.”

“It’s the humidity.”

“That makes no sense.” She lowers the phone, her face softening. “You ready?”

No. Not really.

I’m a human woman with a body that sometimes likes to give up on me. My fatigue has only gotten worse with the stress, despite my excitement.

I used to let it run me. I’d cancel plans, lie down in bed with a heating pad draped over me and no idea when I’d come out.

And although I need to reduce stress and listen to my body, I’m also done letting it make me miserable.

Because the people around me care. I’m not alone when I’m hurting. I’m understood.

I’m safe.

My body aches, and my fatigue feels so heavy that my shoulders slump and it’s hard to move my legs. The electric shocks down the back of my legs have surprised me more than once today. I’m not ready, I don’t think.

And yet I am. I need to be. I’m still excited.

Lisa is at the pastry case, calm and glowing, wearing a pale blue apron Marley labeled CRUMB COMMANDER. Dev is tying ribbons around cookie boxes. Marley has three devices, two battery packs, a ring light, and the expression of a woman about to commit social media warfare.

Oliver stands in the kitchen, his arms crossed, dressed in black and already looking annoyed.

Maybe it’s because Warren is there too, his sleeves rolled up, tattoos visible.

Warren looks up toward the doorway and catches me watching him. He doesn’t look away.

“Halston,” he says.

“Yes?” My heart leaps.

“Four minutes.”

I nod.

I take a breath. “Do we have The Receipt bars?”

“Forty-eight cut. Twenty-four held back for the reset.”

“Map cookies?”

“First pickup window ready.”

“Lattes?”