"So that's why Ash said they're your biggest rival." He drummed his hands on the wheel. "Damn it, I wish she would've said something."
"She tries to shield me from it too. But I know more than she thinks. We had a big discussion about it the other day. Bliss meant everything to our mom and to us. She got a letter from the bank today, denying us for a loan. That loan was Ash's last-ditch effort at keeping the bakery open. Now, it all comes down to a must-win situation at the competition. If you don't win, then we lose everything. If we can't make rent next month, she'll have to turn in the keys to the bakery and the apartment."
Shocked by the statement, he hit the gas pedal, launching the truck within inches of the van in front of them. Swearing, he slammed on the break, and waved an apology to the van ahead of them and the convertible behind him. When five car lengths of space separated him from any possible collisions, he glanced at Katie. "She'll be out on the street? How did that even happen?"
She turned toward the window. "To say it's been bad for a while is an understatement. I know that she signed up to teach baking classes at a night school next semester, but that doesn't solve any immediate problems. And I wouldn't let her not have a place to live. She could come back to Chicago with me and couch surf at my friends' houses."
They were silent for the rest of the drive. Thoughts of Ashley and his time with her played over and over again in his mind like a highlight reel.
When he pulled up behind the bakery, Katie paused with her hand on the door. "My sister hasn't let herself have fun in years. She's always been the rock in the family, but she needs someone to lean on too. I hope things work things out with you guys, long-term. You're so good for her. Since she's started spending time with you, she's been happy."
With a wave, she dashed out of the car and into the building.
He drove away, heart heavy, troubled by the information, and not having any idea how to make anything better. Somehow, Ashley had slipped past his defenses. He cared, more than he had ever cared about anyone outside of family. He didn't know what to do about it. He didn't have a clue. This wasn't a normal situation, the added stress of the competition hung between them as deep and wide as a canyon. Competing together without tension getting between them was impossible. The need to win was too great.
If he lost the competition, he'd fail his foundation. Frowning, he hunched his shoulders. A new thought, a new fear narrowed his vision until nothing else remained but the woman with the dancing eyes.
If he lost the competition, would he also lose her?
After a sleepless night, he still didn't have any idea how to help her, but he needed to talk to her. Ryan gave him the perfect excuse when he called to complain that he'd ruined their dad's birthday cake.
At noon, Xavier drove to the bakery. As he passed Blackstone's, he noticed the steady stream of customers coming out of the shop. When he walked into Bliss a few minutes later, the contrast of the empty store was staggering.
The bell over the door jangled, and footsteps came from the kitchen area. Hands in his pockets, he waited by the counter.
Ashley's eyes widened as she came closer. She slowly tilted her head to keep hold of his gaze. Dark shadows emphasized the vulnerability in her eyes. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep, much like him. An ache quickly throbbed under his chest. "I didn't expect to see you today."
His confidence dipped when he couldn't read her expression. What if she didn't let him in? He had plenty of experience in keeping people at arm's length. They were only separated by a few feet. Why did he feel like they were separated by miles? "I wanted to talk to you."
"I wanted to talk to you too. I apologize for how I acted yesterday. I'd received some bad news, and shouldn't have let it affect me."
Yep. A total rock.
"I spoke to your sister. I know about the loan, and how Blackstone's is affecting you, and your situation. I'm sorry about everything you're shouldering. I wish you'd told me things were as bad as they are."
Her mouth opened and closed and she glared at the ceiling and murmured something he couldn't hear. When she faced him again, a flush had flamed into her cheeks. "My sister shouldn't have said anything. It's my problem, not yours."
Reaching his arm out to her, Xavier closed the distance between them, but Ashley kept her arms at her sides, her expression like stone.
"I want to help, Ash." He touched her arm the way he'd test a cake for coolness—cautiously and carefully. "Please, talk to me."
She sighed, a long, slow, careful expulsion of breath, and rolled her shoulders. "It's bad. My landlord has been more than fair. I'm behind two month's rent on both the apartment and the bakery, and if I can't give it all to him, plus this month's, by the fifteenth, I'll lose the store and the apartment."
"I know you're attached to this space, but have you thought about moving?"
"I've looked into it, but moving costs money that we don't have. And that doesn't factor in any renovations a space might need. I've considered closing the store and baking out of my kitchen, but that won't make orders roll in. I've tried everything I could think of to drum up business, but I can't compete with Blackstone's." Distress crept into her voice and her troubled gaze pulled at something deep in Xavier's soul.
Investing in Bliss wouldn't happen unless he could look at the financials and
