“We are actually seeing each other.” Sophie looked at Lori guiltily. “How exactly do I break the news to Megan without her trying to kill me?
Lori’s mouth hung open. “I knew it was only a matter of time.”
“For what it’s worth, I had fallen for him a long time ago. I just didn’t know what it was then,” Sophie confessed.
“Megan has to accept it eventually—we can hope anyway.” Lori patted her on the shoulder.
Sophie worked up the courage through the rest of her shift to break the news to Megan. She felt like she owed it to her to let her know even though Sophie was fearful of how Megan would react. When their shift wrapped up, Sophie took the opportunity. Megan did not take the news well and Sophie had to dodge a few glasses before Megan stormed out of the restaurant.
“I don’t want to know what that was about,” Sam said as he came out of the back room to see what the commotion was about. “Please tell me no one is injured.” He looked at the broken glass on the floor.
“No injuries,” Sophie assured. “I’ll clean up the mess.”
“Give her a month or two, she’ll move on to her next obsession.” Lori tried to cheer Sophie up as she helped with the cleanup.
Sophie sighed dejectedly. “I hope so but until then I think I have to watch my back.”
“Megan is mostly bark. I wouldn’t worry too much about her bite.” Lori shrugged.
“It seemed more than just bark as the glasses were flying at my face. She barely missed me.”
***
When Sophie walked in her apartment after work she was met with a beautiful aroma. She let her purse slip from her shoulder and took in the flowers that were displayed throughout the apartment. The drama from work was suddenly forgotten.
“Do you have a magic vagina or something? Seriously, this guy is in love with you.” Mel came skipping over toward her. “Here.” Mel passed her a card.
Sophie,
A reason to believe in love.
Ashton
Sophie couldn’t help the excitement that coursed through her. It was a beautiful gesture. Sophie pulled out her phone.
Sophie: My apartment smells beautiful…thank you. A bit much but very much appreciated.
Ashton: You’re welcome. I am trying to make you a believer and nothing is too much when it comes to you.
Sophie: It might be working.
Ashton: Good. I wanted to make those beautiful lips smile.
Sophie: Mission accomplished.
Ashton: I wish I was there to kiss them.
Sophie: Me too…tomorrow.
Ashton: Definitely.
Sophie was inspired to paint looking at all the flowers displayed around her apartment. She sat in front of her easel, deliriously happy. The memory of his touch still energized her, lingering upon her skin. She wanted to transfer her feelings on the blank canvas in front of her to represent how she felt.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Sophie and Mel had arranged to meet the business consultant that Margaret had recommended early the next morning. The meeting went well. John Marshall, the consultant, seemed to be optimistic about their endeavor, especially knowing Mel had actual experience working in a bakery. He reviewed their business plan, making only minor adjustments. John even indicated he might have potential investors. Sophie and Mel took it as a sign that they were on the right path.
***
“It’s perfect!” Mel spun around in the building Sophie had found.
“There is a definite advantage to having a building that’s already set up with some of the necessary equipment. This will substantially help with the start-up costs, not to mention making the process that much easier.” Both Sophie and Mel fell in love with the place. It offered the perfect character and location they were looking for.
“A fresh coat of paint and some minor tweaking and this place will be ready to go,” Mel squeaked out in excitement.
The landlord agreed to their terms, allowing them to make the necessary renovations that would be required. Mel and Sophie were able to make the first payment with savings and the landlord agreed to give them a month to finalize further financing. John was incredibly helpful in the negotiations, finding terms that worked well for everyone. John was working out the final details with an investor and was confident that everything would firm up. Everything seemed to be falling into place.
When they left the building, Sophie decided she would head to the hospital to visit Margaret before visiting hours were over. Sophie called ahead, letting Margaret know she was heading in. She sounded wonderful on the phone and even proceeded to let Sophie know that she was no longer on a liquid diet. Sophie laughed and took the hint that Margaret was looking for something to eat other than hospital food. Before she left, Sophie sent a quick text to Ashton, letting him know she was heading in to visit his grandmother.
Sophie decided to get off the bus a couple of blocks away from the hospital to pick up Margaret’s favorite coffee and pastries. Sophie pulled out her phone again to see if Ashton had responded but was disappointed to discover there was still no response.
Walking into the coffee shop, her senses were assaulted with the very rich flavor of coffee. The smell reminded her of Margaret. It was always a favorite stop they made in their daily schedule. Sophie got in line behind an older couple who were trying to make a choice in what type of croissant to get with their coffee. Sophie found their playful banter endearing.
She looked around the café as she waited her turn, taking in the people that filled the seats when her eyes fell on Ashton on the other side of the room. He didn’t blend into the crowd because of his striking appearance. People’s attention was drawn to him, his presence was so magnetic and remarkable. The company he was keeping made her stomach feel like lead. Across from him in the booth was the one and only Lucinda. She couldn’t help the ache that made her insides twist. She watched Lucinda flip her hair flirtatiously and reach out toward Ashton’s arm. They looked happy in each other’s company.
The mocha colored walls felt like they were closing in on her; the painted coffee mugs that ran along the wall seemed to shift around her as if her world was suddenly tilting in the wrong direction. Everything felt wrong—even the smell of the air suddenly made her nauseous. Ashton stood up and Lucinda followed suit, straightening her very short skirt. She smiled before leaning in to kiss Ashton on the lips.
“Miss?” Someone tapped Sophie on the shoulder and she turned to see that it was her turn at the counter. The girl behind the register was staring at her impatiently and Sophie couldn’t bring herself to form words. She was trying to hold herself together, she felt so brittle.