The One Night(6)

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Then it’s settled.”

“You know, honey, I hate to hear you sound so annoyed. I remember when the bakery used to run your dad’s life. He was miserable, never took days off, and he wound up almost working himself into an early grave. I know how much the family business means to you, but I don’t want you stressed out like your father. You can ask for help.”

“You’re retired,” I say. “I’m not going to ask you guys to help me when I should be able to handle it.”

“You are quite a phenomenal lady, Nora. We raised you to be a strong, independent, and confident woman. But I will tell you right now: your dad never ran the bakery on his own—I was by his side helping him. I love you, but I know you can’t do it on your own either. You need assistance. Let us help you.”

“You’re not coming back to work, Mom. You have your cruise.”

“We can help you find someone qualified to assist you,” Mom says in an exasperated tone.

“Oh,” I say. “Well, I could actually use that kind of help.”

Mom chuckles on the other end of the phone. “Well, I’m glad you can admit that. How about this: when we get back from our cruise, Dad and I will help put out inquiries for bakers. Dad knows some recruiters that might be able to help. We can find someone we all trust. Does that work?”

“Yeah, it does. Thanks, Mom.”

It actually helps a lot. I know my parents said they would step in whenever I needed the help, but I’m stubborn, and a small part of me wants to prove I can succeed completely on my own. Besides, I’ve never wanted to bother them. But with the influx of business, I’m very grateful for the offered help. Not sure I would have asked for it, but I can’t ignore the relief flooding through me now that my mom has offered to step in.

“No need to thank me, sweetie. That’s what family’s for—to annoy you with cruise outfit questions and then come swooping in with all the help.”

“I’m glad I answered the phone this time.”

“Oooh, I knew you were ignoring my phone calls.”

I chuckle. “Not on purpose. It really was a busy day. The brides are gearing up for their summer weddings next year. Word of mouth is spreading, and we’re becoming a hot commodity, which means we are booking up fast—”

“Which means more tastings.”

“Exactly. I don’t mind working with the nice brides, the ones who are just happy to get married, but the other brides—”

“I believe society has deemed them bridezillas.”

“Yes, that type of bride—they are the absolute pits.”

Mom laughs. “I can only imagine how they’ve transformed over the years since I worked hand in hand with them. Well, have no fear. We’ll make sure you get some help when we get back—until then try to loosen up, have some fun. What are you doing tonight? Hanging out with Dealia, possibly?”

“No, she’s still acting a little weird. I’m at a bar . . . drinking a beer.”

“Sounds . . . earthy.”

“Earthy?” I ask with a laugh.

“Not sure that’s the right term, but it’s the only thing that I could think of. Are you by yourself?”

“Yes, but I prefer it that way. I’m decompressing.”

“You know, it might not hurt you to go talk to someone, you know, maybe—”

“Don’t say it, Mom.”

“Someone of the opposite sex.”

I groan. “I love you, but I’m not getting into this with you.”

“It never hurts to put yourself out there. Marge was telling me her daughter found a lovely man on a dating app. They’ve been on a few dates and things are looking promising. That could be you, Nora.”

“I don’t have time for a dating app. Nor do I want to be having this conversation with you . . . again.”

“I just don’t want to see you so alone all the time.”

I sigh heavily.

I swear, like clockwork, once a month, my mom gets into it about needing to find someone to spend my time with. First of all, what time? Second of all, why do I need someone in my life to spend time with? Why isn’t my company good enough? Why can’t I just enjoy being with myself? And why does the mere mention of a relationship throw me down a pit of rhetorical questions?

“What is it with your generation that thinks since we’re alone, we’re miserable? I don’t need a man in my life to be happy.”

“No, you don’t, but it might not hurt to have a companion. Just think about it. If perhaps some gentleman walks up to you tonight, before you turn him down, at least give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Fine,” I lie, knowing I will do nothing of the sort.

“Thank you, sweetie. Now I’ll let you go, so you look free and available to talk to. Love you.”

“Love you, Mom.”

I hang up the phone and then pick up my beer so I can take a nice, long swig.

The last thing I need right now in life is a complication like a “companion.”





Chapter Three


COOPER


“Well, it’s rather cozy in here, isn’t it?” Mom looks around while she sets her purse down on the table.