“Not my type.” I tried to keep my voice even since I suddenly felt short of breath. I’d been interested in a bad boy once before, and he’d left me heartbroken and alone. Not something I cared to repeat. Actually, this guy looked kind of familiar. Maybe he’d been on a local TV station or something.
“That guy is every woman’s fantasy.” Mary Ann made a humming sound as she stared at him, then she glanced over at me. “Why do you like to deny yourself the fun stuff? Fudge.
Fling
.”
“I’m not a person who lives on the edge,” I said, knowing a girl like Mary Ann, who gives in to her every whim, wouldn’t understand my preference for stable men or the treacherous history between me and those fudge bars. “I have more important things on my mind, anyway.”
“Like what?” she asked, breaking off a piece of croissant and popping it into her mouth. She stared at me with a gaze so sincere, it felt like she actually cared.
I’d never had a friend I felt comfortable confiding in, but she genuinely seemed concerned. I suddenly found myself wanting to tell her everything I was going through. I took a deep breath. “Well, I—”
“Jiminy Cricket!” a male voice shouted, then a splattering of papers fluttered across our table as a man’s body hit the floor beside me, face first.
“Are you all right, sir?” I knelt next to the peppered-haired man as his nose rose off the floor revealing thick black glasses perched crookedly. My eyes widened. “Bernie? Is that you?”
“I’m not sure who’s asking.” He pressed his palms against the floor, pushed himself up onto his elbows, then tilted his head my way. “Melinda Morgan. I’d ask where you’ve been hiding, but I look rather ridiculous right now.”
“Let me help you up.” I held his arm firmly while he stood. Mary Ann fished up the papers he’d accidentally thrown and handed them to me. I glanced down at what appeared to be a stack of résumés then gave them to Bernie. “Are you all right?”
He brushed off his pants. “It’s good to see you. How’s your mother?”
“Fine,” I said, automatically. But, in truth, the last time I’d seen her she’d looked pretty depressed. That’s when I’d told her to stop painting those ridiculous ceramic hot air balloons and that she needed to get over my dad’s death once and for all. I also told her it might be time for therapy. She’d said she would think about it, but neither of us had brought it up again. “I’m going to visit my mom after this, actually.”
Bernie adjusted his thick black glasses. “I’m glad to hear she’s doing well. Please say hello to her for me. Now I’ll let you finish your breakfast in peace,” he said, giving a polite nod to Mary Ann. “I apologize for the interruption.”
Mary Ann smiled. “No worries here.”
I watched Bernie walk away with what seemed like a limp. Poor guy. That had been a hard fall and he seemed pretty shaken up. I held my finger up to Mary Ann, then strode over to the table where Bernie had sat down. “Why aren’t you behind the register today? Who’s the woman behind the counter with the pretty purple streaks in her hair? What are all of those résumés for?”
“These are tough questions to answer.” He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “But I’ve known you too long to hide it from you. . . I’ve been sick. The doctors say I need to stop working—permanently.”
I brought my hand to my chest. “I’m so sorry to hear about your health. They think you’ll get better if you retire?”
“That is their opinion.” He set the résumés down on the table, his expression tired and worn. “They say I need stop working immediately and rest, but I don’t have anyone to run the bakery. I hired Avery last week for extra register help—she’s working behind the counter right now and seems to be doing a good job. Don’t you think?”
“She’s . . . capable.” I didn’t want to add to Bernie’s worries so I refrained from telling him how the long line seemed to stress her out and that her impatience showed big-time. Since I’d been in customer service for years, I knew that the way the patron is treated is practically as important as the product itself but this girl Avery obviously didn’t understand that concept. “What are all of the résumés for then?”
“Responses to the manager position I advertised in the paper.” His expression drooped further, making him appear defeated. “I need someone to manage the bakery, including the accounting, purchasing, day-to-day operations and, of course, the baking.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard to find,” I said, glancing at the large stack of applicants he had to choose from. He’d taught me all of those roles when I was a college student working for him so surely he’d find someone quickly. “Did any qualified candidates apply?”
“Many have the proper experience, yes. But this bakery has been the love of my life for almost twenty years. I can’t hand her over to just anybody. There will need to be many interviews, perhaps background checks. I need a manager who I trust completely. Otherwise, instead of improving my health, I could have a heart attack.”
Every cell in my body froze. “The doctors said that’s a possibility?”
Hanging his head, he nodded. “I’ve been having heart palpitations.”
I gasped. “Oh, Bernie.”
“You can see now why I’m tripping over my own two feet.” He gestured toward the floor. “I don’t know what to do. The doctor tells me that I need to rest completely for at least two weeks, but how can I relax at all if I’m leaving my beloved bakery in the hands of a virtual stranger?”
My heart squeezed. “If it’s the doctor’s advice, then you must find a way to rest for the next two weeks. You can’t mess around with health. That’s all there is to it.”
He shook his head, then sifted through the papers. “In order to relax, I need someone I trust. But how will I find a person like this on such short notice?”
I bit my lip. Volunteering to run Bernie’s Bakery was the absolute
last
thing I should do. It wouldn’t pay nearly as much as a job in the business world, which I needed to regain my independence, and it would be a plus if I could afford a place to live where cat hair didn’t coat the carpet. I didn’t envy Ginger having pets, because the pain I’d felt when I’d lost my childhood dog, Checkers, was nothing I cared to feel again. I even kept my distance from her little meowzers so I wouldn’t get attached to them.
I glanced down at Bernie, who was staring hopelessly at the résumé on top of the pile. Dark circles stood out beneath his eyes, his skin looked pale, and his handsome face seemed to have aged a decade since the last time I’d seen him.
“I’ll do it,” I blurted, knowing Bernie’s health was at stake. He had always been there for me. Shortly after his wife had left him and moved away with their son (aka: my former best friend), my dad had died. Bernie had come to the funeral, offering to help with whatever my mom and I needed. He’d also sent us a basket of baked goodies every week for a year. He’d been an amazing friend over the years and a wonderful father figure.
I would not desert him in his time of need.
His eyes widened as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine. “You’ll do what?”
“I will manage your bakery for two weeks, while you rest and get healthy,” I said, ignoring the look of confusion Mary Ann was throwing at me.
“Thank you, Melinda.” He smiled, his eyes watering for a moment. “You’re very kind to offer to help, but you have a blossoming career. Your mom has told me about each and every one of your promotions. She couldn’t be more proud of you. I can’t let you sacrifice your success for me.”
“Apparently my mom hasn’t told you about my current status,” I said, thinking about how odd that was, since she usually stopped in several times each week to grab a cup of coffee and chat with Bernie. “When’s the last time you spoke with her?”
“I’m afraid it has been awhile since she’s come in. Just like with you. Truthfully, I’ve been a little worried about you both.”
My brows came together. I hadn’t been coming to this neighborhood because I was trying desperately to find a new job. But why had
she
stopped coming into Bernie’s? Especially since my mom was the queen of routine.
I took a deep breath. “My employer laid me off seven weeks ago. I’ve been searching for a permanent job, which I still haven’t found. So it’s not a problem for me to work here temporarily while you get the rest you need. I can start today after I drop by my mom’s house,” I said, my nerves frazzled at the thought of asking to dip into my inheritance money.
His brows rose quizzically. “Are you absolutely sure it wouldn’t inconvenience you too much?”
My eyes blurred, touched that he was thinking of me when his own situation was so desperate. “It’s only two weeks, and I’m happy to do it. Really. You remember how much I loved working here.”
“If you’re absolutely sure.” His expression filled with emotion as he rose to his feet, grabbed my hand, and placed it between his two palms. “This is the answer to my prayers. I’ll pay you the same rate as I would a permanent manager.”
“It’s a deal.” I squeezed his hand, smiling at the relief evident his eyes. “This afternoon I’ll come back and you can catch me up on on all of your current procedures. And don’t worry while you’re gone, because your bakery will be in good hands.”
“With you running the show, I have no doubt.” He released my hand, picked up his stack of papers, and turned back to me. “If Nate gives you any trouble because I put you in charge of managing the bakery instead of him, please let me know and I’ll take care of it. He’s being moody, as usual.”
“Um, Nate?” A chill ran down my spine. Bernie couldn’t be talking about his rebellious son who’d moved to Paris with his mom when I was fourteen, leaving me with the bittersweet memory of my first real kiss and a shattered heart.
“Nate returned to Sacramento a couple weeks ago due to my condition. He’d been surfing in Bali when I called to inform him of the doctor’s findings. You know he’s a photographer of extreme adventures, right? His business is even online now.”
My mouth had opened, but no words were coming out. Nate was here? In Sac?
“Anyway, he insists on running the bakery for me, but he has no experience. Plus, unlike you, he’s never shown any interest in the bakery. So I know he’s only offering in order to be helpful. He much prefers one grand adventure after another, as you’ll recall. I’m sure you will be a good influence on him, since you value stability.”
Me? Influence bullheaded Nate Carter? Not likely. Against my better judgment, I’d given in to my secret feelings for him the summer before freshman year in high school when he’d cornered me on the swing set at the park by my house. I’d gone to the park to be alone since we’d just put down my sweet dog, Checkers—named after my favorite childhood game.
The memory of our kiss flooded my brain, sending tingles down my arms. Then my stomach steeled. One amazing kiss, then I’d never heard from him again. Not even so much as a postcard since he’d moved away a week later.
My stomach churned at the thought of seeing Nate, but I couldn’t let it show. Any additional stress would only worsen Bernie’s condition.
Unwillingly, my fists balled and my eyes narrowed. “Oh, I can handle Nate.”
“That sounds like an enticing proposition,” a distinctive male voice came from behind me. “But shouldn’t I at least take you out to lunch first?”
I spun around to find myself face-to-face with the leather jacket-wearing hottie that Mary Ann had called every woman’s fantasy. Our gazes locked and I stared into jade-green eyes that flickered with emotion. My breath caught in my throat.
Standing before me was Bernie’s son, Nate Carter. My first crush and greatest heartbreak all rolled into one. And I’d just agreed to manage his dad’s bakery for the next two weeks, which meant I’d be stuck seeing plenty of him.
I totally should’ve ordered the fudge bar.
Chapter Two
As I stared into Nate Carter’s twinkling jade-green eyes, something stirred in my belly, and it took every ounce of effort I had to maintain a composed demeanor. If a guy breaks your heart, you don’t want him to fall off his motorcycle or anything, but you certainly don’t want your legs to turn to jelly just because he’s standing in front of you thirteen years later.
So
not
right.
“Hello, Nate.” My tone was even with just the right hint of friendly so he wouldn’t guess how he’d ripped my heart to smithereens when we were young, or how he still affected me now for that matter. I took a deep breath. “Welcome back to town.”
“Thanks.” The corner of his mouth lifted, making him look even sexier, which shouldn’t have been possible since the guy was already the definition of smoking hot. “It’s good to be back.”
A buzzing sound came from Bernie’s direction and he pulled his cell phone from his pocket, then scanned the screen. “If you’ll both excuse me, I have to take this. I’ll see you this afternoon, Melinda. Thank you again.”
“No problem.” I smiled at Bernie then shifted my gaze back to Nate, who was staring right at me. My tummy did a little flip. Gulp. “I trust you’re having a nice visit?”
“Getting better all the time.” His gaze left my face and traveled down my body then slowly made his way back up again, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. “I can’t believe it’s been this long since we’ve seen each other. You look beautiful, as always.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks flushed at his compliment and I hoped he didn’t notice. I’d lost all of my extra “fudge” pounds since he’d last seen me at fourteen. It gave me goosebumps that he’d thought I was beautiful back when I was curvier, too.
“I have to head to work now.” Mary Ann’s peppy voice seemed to come out of nowhere. She suddenly appeared at my side, extending her hand toward Nate. “I’m Melinda’s friend, Mary Ann.”
“Nate.” He smiled warmly and grasped her hand in his. “Any friend of Melinda’s is a friend of mine.”
She placed her other hand over her chest. “Gorgeous
and
sweet? I hope we’re going to be seeing more of you.”
“I’m sure Nate has better, more adventurous things to do than hang with us,” I said, as a flitter of jealousy rolled through me, which was ridiculous. It meant nothing to me if Nate shook the hand of my adorable single friend, who had earlier referred to him as every woman’s fantasy. At least I tried to convince myself it didn’t bother me.