Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Lyla

I barely slept last night because I couldn't stop thinking about going back to work with Linc, and here I am, sitting in the parking lot, waiting for him to show up. I can't believe I made it before he did, but I've always been a stickler about being early for things like this. I'm still not convinced I've made a good decision. There's a part of me that's severely questioning if I'm crazy or a glutton for punishment. Either way, I'm here because I need to pay the bills.

If this were a year ago, I'd walk in with my own key and alarm code. So much has changed since then, though. Since I quit, I haven't even walked back into Sugar and Spice. I walked by here a few times, but I refused to look inside. Although I'd gone out on my own, it hurt to no longer be there, because I'd given so much of myself to it.

How long am I going to have to wait for someone to let me in? My question is answered when I see the headlights of another vehicle pull in beside mine. I'd know Lincoln's truck anywhere. My stomach flutters as I think about what all of this means. "It's not failure, Lyla, it's surviving."

Getting out, we greet one another. "It's good to have you back," he says, averting his eyes down to his feet.

"Believe it or not, I'm excited to be back. It was stressful every single day. I worried about being able to meet rent and payroll. I loved doing exactly what I wanted to, but in the end, I was too stressed to enjoy it," I admit. He's the only person I will admit this to. Since he's a fellow small business owner, he understands better than anyone else.

"It's rough." He twirls his keys in his fingers, flipping them back and forth. "It's not for the weak, not saying that you are, but it's harder than anyone can ever imagine."

While I appreciate him being sympathetic, I can't talk about this any longer. "I'm ready to get started as long as you are."

"Sure."

I follow him in as he unlocks the back door and turns off the alarm. "Before you leave today, we'll get you a key and a code. That way, you can come in whenever you want. I know you enjoy working by yourself first thing in the morning."

He remembers. "Thank you, I appreciate that."

Licking his lips, he rocks back on his heels. "I'm willing to let you work when you want. As long as you get what's needed to be done by the time it's due, you can set your own schedule. I wanted to tell you, too. I'm sorry for the way I treated you before. I shouldn't have made your last name a spectacle, and used it as a marketing tactic. That was wrong of me, especially when you told me you were uncomfortable with it. I'm sorry."

My heart is thudding wildly in my chest because I never expected him to apologize. He's never been the type of man he is, but perhaps he's changed. "I never expected you to give me an apology. We all do things that sound good. It's why I have a tramp stamp on my back. I get it. You were trying to make this place a success. I get it more than I did before."

Tucking his hands into his pockets, he raises his brows. "If we could start at zero, and figure out how to work together like we used to..."

I think about what he's saying, and since things have been so shitty for me the last year, I decide to not hold any grudges. "We can. Let's get busy. What is it you need me to do?"

He walks through the prep area, flipping on lights, and checking on his already-made cookies and donuts in the cooler. With a grunt, he pulls out trays and placing them on the counter. "I have a personal favor to ask..."

This is something he's never asked me before. "Okay..."

"Actually, it's for my brother. He's seeing a new woman who has a little girl. They're having a Christmas party at school, and he's signed her up to bring cookies."

"Ohhhh," I grin, rubbing my hands together. "That's my favorite thing to do."

"I know. You're the perfect person to help him."

My brain is already working, thinking about what I can do. "Do we have a theme?"

"The glittering lights of Christmas. I know it's a lot to ask for, but I think you're going to do amazing with it. I bought some new edible glitter, and sparkles for it." He gestures to a bag sitting on the counter.

I grab the bag and pour it out on the table in front of me. "Oh, you went big ballin' with these. You want her to be the belle of the elementary school class, huh?"

"My brother called himself a bonus dad, and that's never happened before. He's serious about this chick, which he's never been before. For the most part, he fucks things up on his own, but he really seems as if he wants this to go well. I'm gonna do my part." He shrugs. "He's my little brother, and I want nothing but good things for him. If I can help make that happen, I will."

"How many cookies do we need?"

"Three dozen."

"They need to be done before the end of the day?" I confirm.

"Yeah, he's going to come and get them before we close. I can't wait to see what you come up with." He turns on the ovens so that they're warming. "Do you mind if I go get started on some paperwork and the schedule for next week? My morning crew will come in within the next thirty minutes. They'll get the cases ready, and you'll be able to devote your time to that." He points to the cookies.

"Do whatever you need. I'll be here."

He leaves the prep area before heading into his office. Left alone, I look around and close my eyes. Although he pissed me off when I worked here before, it's obvious that we've both grown up. I was cocky, and he was an ass. However, we both now know what happens when we don't work together.

This feels a little like coming home, and as I go about getting a station set up for the cookies, I can't help but be excited. For the first time in a long time, I'm willing to let my creativity take over. There aren't worries in the back of my mind, and all that's there is my imagination.

I'm gonna let it fly.