You Belong With Me (Book 1 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Read online

  No. She wouldn’t.

  “Look Ashley, if you and Michael get back together, that’s great. I’ll be happy for Stella. If it doesn’t happen, it won’t be because of me,” she finally said, looking Ashley in the eyes, serious and determined.

  Ashley glared at her for a few more minutes before her face and shoulders relaxed. “Okay,” she said and then closed her eyes as if a big weight was off her shoulders. “Good. I was so worried when I saw you and Michael talking to each other last night. I thought I might have been too late or something,” she said with a breezy laugh.

  Layla frowned and shook her head. Not her problem.

  Ashley leaned down and looked at the case. “You know what Stella, why don’t I get you an ice cream cone instead? This stuff doesn’t really look all that great. I have to stay away from carbs anyway. I want to look my best for your dad,” she said smiling happily as she pulled Stella’s hand off the glass case.

  Layla frowned as Ashley dragged Stella, now crying and kicking her feet, out of the bakery. Jane walked in, yawning and then paused as they listened to Stella’s screams. Jane walked over to the window and watched silently as Ashely and Stella drove away.

  Jane turned around, frowning as she stared at her sister. “I take it that didn’t go well?”

  Layla shrugged and looked away. “As good as that kind of thing can go. She came to warn me away from Michael and I agreed with her. But she let Stella stare at everything in the cases for five minutes, the poor kid is just dying to have something and then she drags her out complaining that carbs are bad and that she wanted to look good for Michael.”

  Jane frowned and walked over to the case, grabbing a cloth to wipe Stella’s hand prints and nose prints off the glass. “You know, Michael has a say in all of this too. He might not love her anymore,” she said softly.

  Layla straightened the stack of flyers and coupons on the counter and bit her lip. “Does it matter? He loves Stella. She’s his daughter and if he can give her her mother back, he’s going to.”

  Jane winced and put her hands on her hips. “But it’s so unfair! He was falling in love with you and she just waltzes back into his life expecting to pick up where she left off. Who does that?”

  Layla smiled sadly. “Someone who wasn’t ready before. Jane, it’s okay. It hurts, yes, but I agree with Ashley. It’s better for everyone if I back off and let them put their family back together. Don’t you remember what it was like growing up with just Mom? We’d look at our friends going to ball games with their dads or going for bike rides and we’d be so jealous. Stella hasn’t had a mom. What kind of a person would I be to deny her that chance?” she asked softly.

  Jane shook her head, breathing out in irritation. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Look, I sympathize with Ashley having to deal with postpartum depression. It’s crappy. I had a friend in college who had to deal with it and it sucks. Layla Stella is four now. You’re not denying Stella anything Layla. If you and Michael decide to be together then Stella would be getting the best, most loving, kind hearted step-mother in the world. And there’s no reason that should stop Ashley from being a good mother to her daughter.”

  Layla frowned and turned away from her sister, her head wanting to explode in three different directions. Jane had some good points, but Stella wouldn’t see it that way. She’d see her as trying to take her mom’s place.

  The bell chimed over the door and Layla turned to see Officer Tate and two other police officers walk in, smiling and looking around. Jane glanced at her and waved a hand. “I’ll be in the back,” she sang out and disappeared within seconds.

  Layla frowned at the empty doorway and turned to see Tate staring moodily after Jane. Hmmm. Interesting.

  “What can I get for you gentlemen?” Layla said as the men came to stand in front of the cases.

  Tate smiled and looked up at her. “I’ve been talking so much about this bakery that my buddies insisted on coming with me. Wow, you guys have been busy,” he said, his eyes roaming the glass shelves back and forth.

  Layla grinned and stepped back to lean against the counter, giving them time to decide. A few more customers wandered in and then a rush hit. Kit and Jane came in just in time to help the officers as she took an order for a cake a woman wanted picked up next week. She waved good bye to the woman and then noticed the strange under currents running through the room. She walked over to Jane and Kit to see if she could help and realized Tate was frowning darkly at Jane.

  “I would love to go out tomorrow night. We’ll be doing the booth at the park for Fircrest Days but I’ll be done by five,” she said, smiling at the tall blond officer as she handed him a bag filled with cookies.

  Kit rang up the order and took his money silently as he continued to talk to Jane, blushing and stammering as she flirted with him. Tate looked murderous but kept silent, leaving with his friends and not saying a word when they waved good bye.

  Jane frowned as soon as the door shut and then turned to see Kit and Layla staring at her with raised eyebrows.

  “What?”

  Layla sighed and shook her head. “Using one man to make another man jealous. Low Jane. Low,” she said, wiping down the counter.

  Kit nodded her head. “He’s darling, but no one deserves to be used as an emotional weapon against someone else. Especially since they’re friends.”

  Jane glared at her sisters and then rolled her eyes. “So I’m not supposed to date ever again on the off chance that Tate will change his mind and might agree to go out with me? That’s stupid! He turned me down flat. That guy, . . . , shoot, what was his name? The one who just asked me out?” she asked.

  Kit’s eyes widened. “You have got to be kidding me! It’s Trevor.”

  Jane blushed. “Yeah, well, Trevor was man enough to ask me out. So I said yes. It’ll be fun.”

  Layla tightened her apron around her waist and shook her head. “They’re friends Jane.”

  Jane shrugged. “Obviously Tate has no feelings for me. If he did, he would have said yes when I asked him out. He said no. He should be happy that me and Trevor hit it off.”

  Layla glanced at Kit and they both rolled their eyes silently. Jane was not in the mood for a lecture on Dating 101.

  “What about you guys? Anyone ask you out today?” Jane asked with a smile as she grabbed a broom and began to sweep the floor.

  Kit grinned. “I was asked out by three men this morning. One was eighty. One was old enough to be my father, but the other one, Jack, he was just about perfect.”

  Jane grinned and clapped her hands. “Yay! We could double date.”

  Kit shook her head as she moved some pastries to the front of the case. “Nah, I said no. I don’t date men I don’t know. It’s not very safe. My rule is I have to know them or my friends have to know them. It’s too easy for a woman to find herself in a dangerous situation,” she said standing up and smiling as the front door opened and a family of five walked in.

  Layla, Kit and Jane stayed busy for the next few hours. From what Layla could see of the till, even with the fifty percent off, they were doing really well. With fifteen minutes until closing time, they were down to one chocolate cake, two loaves of French bread, a dozen cookies and one cup cake.

  Layla couldn’t help a groan when she heard the bell ring over the door. It was Rob Downing this time, holding the hand of an older, attractive woman with shoulder length auburn hair. She had the same face shape as Rob and so she presumed it was his mother. She glanced at Kit, but Kit had suddenly decided to scrub the floors on her hands and knees. Jane grinned down at Kit before coming to stand by Layla.

  “Hi there Rob,” Layla said with a nod and a smile.

  Rob smiled and motioned to the woman beside him. “Hi Layla, Jane. This is my mom, Anne. Anne, these ladies are the new owners of Belinda’s. They’ll be making the bread for my restaurant from now on,” he added, glancing around as if he were looking for someone.

  The woman smiled and nodded he
r head. “My son can’t stop talking about your bread. He says it’s the best he’s ever had.”

  Kit popped up at that and put her rag down as she smiled winningly at Anne. “I’m the bread maker here at Belinda’s. We still have some French bread I made this morning if you’d like to try some yourself?”

  Layla grinned at Kit and stepped aside. Kit was not one for letting someone else take credit for her work. Layla walked to the far end of the counter as Jane helped Rob select the chocolate cake. She watched them for a while as she took a sip from her water bottle. Jane was right. Rob did glance at Kit constantly. But if he liked her sister, why wouldn’t he just ask her out?”

  “So are you married dear?” Anne asked Kit, looking openly at her left hand.

  Kit shook her head and laughed. “Me? No thanks. It would take a pretty special man to get me to agree to marriage,” she said lightly, pulling out a loaf of French bread from the case and placing it in a wax paper sack.

  Anne made a tsking sound and shook her head. “You sound just like Robby. He’s almost twenty seven and I can’t get him to settle down with anyone. I say enough is enough,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes as she looked over at her son who smiled back at her stoically. He’d obviously heard this before.

  “I agree Anne,” Jane said grinning at Rob. “And just think of the grandkids,” she said helpfully.

  Anne nodded her head energetically. “Exactly what I was thinking!” she crowed, her face lighting up.

  Rob sighed and pulled out his wallet and handed his card to Jane. “Please ignore my mother. She just got back from visiting my older brother who has three kids. She’s still on a grandkid high.”

  Anne laughed good-naturedly and shrugged. “I can dream. Besides, look at this face,” she said grabbing Rob’s chin. “Isn’t he gorgeous? Now which one of you ladies would turn that face down? I ask you?” she said, making Rob groan in mortification as the three sisters giggled at his expense.

  “Sorry, but I already have a date lined up,” Jane said, grinning at Rob’s expression.

  Layla slipped a coupon into the bag and smiled at Anne. “I’m in a complicated situation myself. I could date Rob, but I’d just be using him as a re-bound and who wants that? If it makes you feel any better, rebound grandkids usually aren’t that cute,” she added at Anne’s sad expression.

  Anne laughed and shook her finger at Layla. “You just made that up missy. Now you Red. What’s your story? You think you’re too good for my son? Look at him, he’s beautiful.”

  Kit laughed and glanced at Rob who was now looking silently at his feet, totally and completely embarrassed by his mother. Kit grinned at Anne and sighed. “If only I could. I’ve sworn off beautiful men,” she said leaning over the counter. “They tend to cheat since so many women are constantly throwing themselves at them. That, and they’re not very good at being gentlemen. Since women come too easily to gorgeous men like Rob, he probably doesn’t even know what it’s like to pursue a woman since he’s never had to. The next man I fall for will be average looking but sexy, smart and funny and a man who knows how to open doors, send flowers and write poetry that makes my toes curl,” she said closing her eyes at the image in her mind.

  Anne frowned at Kit and put her hands on her hips. “Well crap Rob, there goes my dreams of grandkids,” she said, turning to look her son accusingly.

  Rob raised his head and stared at Kit for a moment before looking at his mom. “Looks like. Come on Mom, we better get going. I’ve got Freddie making you lemon shrimp and linguine. Thanks Ladies, it’s been fun,” he said picking up his cake and taking his credit card from Jane.

  The sisters watched Rob walk out the door with his mom and then turned and looked at Kit as soon as the door had shut.

  “Poetry?” Layla asked with a grin.

  “Average, but sexy?” Jane asked with a laugh. “I’ve never seen you with a man that could be described as average.”

  Kit smiled mysteriously and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m growing up girls. That’s what I want.”

  Layla leaned on the counter and studied her sister. “You threw that in Rob’s face as a challenge and you know it. He’s a former professional athlete who can’t keep his eyes off you. He could probably handle the flowers and chocolates and poetry, but that man will never be average.”

  Kit frowned at the doorway and pursed her mouth. “I might be able to compromise on that. But I will never compromise on total and complete fidelity. He knows my requirements now. If he’s up to the challenge, then he’ll try. If he knows he can’t give me what I want, then he can walk away before we even get started. It’s my new life plan. I came up with it last week. I let men know my expectations up front. That way I don’t have to assume they know what I want. And it gives them a chance to bow out before my heart gets broken. It’s called a win win.”

  Jane nodded her head. “I’m impressed.”

  Layla walked over and hugged Kit, kissing her head. “By the way, I like your future mother in law. She’s going to be a handful though.”

  Kit and Jane laughed as she walked back to the kitchen to grab the mop. She hadn’t been joking.

  Chapter 16 – The Parade

  After counting the receipts that night, the three women sat around their small kitchen table upstairs and looked at each other in surprise. “We made a profit,” Jane breathed out.

  Layla felt a small burst of joy explode in her chest. “Imagine what would have happened if we’d actually been charging full price.”

  Jane shook her head. “It was opening day, so our numbers will fall off, but still, . . .” she said, letting her sentence dangle as she stared off into space.

  Kit grinned. “Still nothing! We’re a success!” she yelled throwing a few dollars in the air.

  Jane frowned and grabbed the money, putting it back into a neat pile. “Not yet, but I’m starting to think we will be. I’m going to advertise in the local paper next week. I’m going to promote my cupcakes. A new flavor every week. I’ll talk up Kit’s wedding cakes and of course our famous bread, but I need something else.”

  Layla smiled. “Starting next week, we’re going to start doing lunch food. Croissant sandwiches and soup I think. I’ll order a soda machine and we’ll get the lunch crowd, who will want to order a treat to take home for later I’m hoping,” she said resting her head in her hands.

  Jane shrugged and glanced at Kit. Kit nodded with a smile. “Okay, let’s do it then.”

  The sisters stayed up another hour talking and planning but had to get to bed so they could be up early the next morning. It was weird to have the grand opening one day and be closed the next, but everyone in town would be at Fircrest Days anyways. They had decided to just sell cupcakes and cookies in order to keep things simple. Jane insisted they offer three different flavors of cupcakes and two different kinds of cookies.

  The parade would be at eleven, which gave them time to set up their booth, decorate with a sign Jane had ordered off the internet and get all the food in the coolers. They wouldn’t be able to bring it all at once, but the bakery was so close to the park, they could run back and forth easily. Kit put chairs outside the bakery on the sidewalk so they could watch the parade go by. She was a sucker for old fashioned traditions. Layla and Jane went along with it just to keep Kit happy but they’d both rather be finalizing the details instead.

  “Come on you two! Stop being so prissy and come watch the parade with me!” Kit called through the front door. “You can pack the car right after the last float. You don’t want all that frosting melting anyways,” she added in a sing song voice that was annoying.

  Jane laughed at her expression. “She’s right. Let’s just go enjoy ourselves and stop worrying. We’re going to do great. Our booth is right by the greased pole contest. We’ll be crazy busy, I promise.”

  Layla gave in and called for Bubba to come down the stairs. He hurried as fast as his little Basset Hound legs could go and she snapped his leash on. With Bubba panting in exc
itement, they walked out onto the front porch and down the stairs. Kit had two camp chairs set up on either side of her. Within the last hour, hordes of families had filled in the sidewalks, butting right up against their chairs.

  She sat down next to Kit and grinned at the happy look on her sister’s face. She hated it when Kit was bitter and cynical. Kit during the last seven days had reminded her of the little sister she’d had growing up, fearless, free and fun. The sound of a cannon signaled the beginning of the parade and Layla sat back and enjoyed. Bubba barked and howled but then settled down to enjoy the show with her.

  “If Jane doesn’t get her rear out her right now, I’m going to kill her,” Kit said under her breath as she smiled and waved at a group of kids doing karate moves to advertise a local business. One teenager was pretty good and obviously had a gymnastics back ground.

  “Oh wow,” Jane said coming to sit down by Kit. “I would love to do that,” she said, smiling at Kit and Layla.

  Kit nodded and took a sip of her water bottle. “I know. I’m not even sure I can do a rollover anymore.”

  They laughed and talked and clapped as they watched old fashioned cowboys and Indians erupt in a very loud gun fight, followed by the high school marching band and then a smiling, frantically waving Miss Fircrest. A few floats threw candy into the crowds but she always handed hers over to the children looking so hopeful standing beside her. She caught a hard taffy right before it smacked into her nose and handed it over to her new friend Gracie.

  “Um, Layla. You might like this next float,” Jane said under breath, sounding strange.

  Layla looked up curiously and immediately saw why Kit was gripping her hand now. She stared at the boat being hauled by Michael’s truck. There was a huge banner on the boat’s side, saying, Bender Real Estate and the phone number. There, standing in the boat waving and throwing candy was Michael, holding Stella in his arms. And right behind them stood Ashley, waving her heart out and smiling just as big as Miss Fircrest.