That seemed risky, but before he could decide what to do, he heard it…the spine-tingling scream.
He waved and tried to act like he was supposed to be there.
Kelly leaned in momentarily then pressed her hand to her heart and walked over to the door. She twisted the lock from the inside and stepped out onto the stoop between the tall, glossy white pillars.
“What are you doing here?” She clung to the edge of the door as if she might run back inside. “You scared me half to death!”
He pasted a smile on his face, determined to make the best of it. Being a goof was better than being a stalker! “I was trying to pass time. I’m a bit of an insomniac.”
“There’s nothing to do here after hours. Still,” she said.
“What are you doing here?” He took a couple of steps closer to her. “Is there a problem with the late shift?”
“No.” She seemed to relax a little, letting the door swing closed. “I’ve got managers who have that completely under control.”
“Are you an insomniac too?”
“No. I’m usually a champion sleeper. Not tonight though. I have a groom’s cake to bake. I want it to be really special. I thought I might as well come down and see what I could come up with that was fantastic enough for this guy.”
“I used to be pretty good at helping you come up with designs.”
“I remember.”
“Want some help?” Worst-case scenario she said no, but he found himself really hoping she wouldn’t.
“No thank you. I’ve got this. You ought to get home and get some rest.”
“Aw, come on. Afraid I’ll steal your ideas?”
She raised a brow. “Maybe.”
“I might be able to show you a thing or two. I’ve trained under—”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I know. I know.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t say anything was wrong with being self-taught.”
“You didn’t have to.” She cleared her throat. “And I happen to know firsthand that it wasn’t good enough for you.”
“That’s not fair. You know I’ve always thought you have amazing talent when it comes to baking.” And he meant it. She had to believe that. “I remember when you’d read that the hardest dessert to make was a chocolate soufflé. You worked on that skill until you nailed it.”
She broke into a grin. “You ate chocolate soufflé fails for a week.”
“I wasn’t mad about it. Even the flops were pretty fantastic. That’s my point. You figure things out. You’re a natural. I always wished I could do that. It took years of training for me to learn that.”
She looked away.
“Look,” he said, feeling a little desperate. He didn’t know how to break through the wall she’d put up between them, but it was now or never. He pushed past the lump in his throat. “I know I hurt you. I regret it, and I’m so sorry that my bad choices hurt you. Can you ever forgive me?”
Her shoulders lifted slightly, but she didn’t say no.
Even though they were standing not five feet away from one another, it felt as if they were miles apart.
“I’d like to spend some time with you.” He proceeded carefully. “Let me help you tonight. It’ll be fun.” If she’d let him stick around, then he’d even postpone his departure until Tuesday morning if he had to. He’d have to drive straight through, but he could still get there on time—maybe not as fresh as he’d planned, but then, he hadn’t planned to step right back into those feelings he’d once shared with Kelly either, and here they were tumbling upon him again. “Come on. Please let me help.”
“Andrew York, are you begging?”
He lifted his hands in the air. “It appears there’s a first for everything.” He was half tempted to actually drop to his knees for comedic effect.
She pulled her hand up on her hip and fixed her gaze on him. Then a flash of humor crossed her face. “How am I supposed to say no to that?”
“You’re not.” He walked over to her. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with this place. It’s impressive even from out here.”
“Fine. Come on in.” She opened the door to let him in. “But I’m not sure I forgive you.”
“Fair enough.”
She gave him the tour of not only the bakery storefront, which she was very proud of, but she took him out to the factory floor and showed him around there too.
“You’re amazing.” He was so proud of what she’d done here. She’d surpassed everything they’d dreamed of, or maybe he’d never seen the vision the way she had. “I can’t believe you’ve done all of this. Alone.”
“Didn’t have much choice. My partner ran off.”
He dropped his chin to his chest. He had. There was no arguing it. He’d left her waiting.
She regarded him with somber curiosity. “You couldn’t even come home and talk to me about it that Christmas. I’d waited for months. Counted down each and every day—one by one. I missed you so much.” The words caught. “And then you didn’t even really give us a chance.”
“You’re right. I was selfish. I should’ve come home and told you. I think deep down I knew if I came home, I’d never go back.” At the time he couldn’t bear to think he might have been stuck in this one-horse town flipping burgers at the cafe when there was so much more out in the world. Then again, she proved bigger things could be done right here.
“Thanks for at least being honest with me.”
“I really am sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She paused, glancing around. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?” She turned and walked off of the factory floor and back into the bakery. “Come on.”
He jogged to catch up with her. “Yes. I suppose you’re proof.” She’d never looked as beautiful as she did this moment. “Thanks for the
