Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Lincoln

I 've missed Lyla. We were a great team, even when we were at each other's throats. There was magic in what we did. I've never worked with anyone the way I've worked with her. From where I'm sitting at my desk, I can see her.

I've never known anyone who can work the way she does, with creativity and talent. I've missed watching her. The way she's looking at the cookies in front of her is like someone who is looking at a canvas they're about to paint. She's one of the best artists I've ever seen, and I know she'll make these amazing for Landon.

I'm hoping she stays. Giving her carte blanche was something she'd asked for before, and I'd refused.

"Lincoln. If you'd let me do what I want, I could do amazing things that would bring people in from surrounding areas. Once you put it on social media, it would blow up," Lyla says, hooking her thumb in the belt loop of her jeans.

"Social media is something that could be here today, gone tomorrow. We can't put all of our eggs in one basket, Lyla. I told you I'm purchasing the bakery. I have to think about what we're doing as the owner, and the one responsible for the livelihood of every single employee here. I'm going to do what I see fit, and right now I can't let you do whatever you want," I tell her. It's not what she wants to hear. The way her mouth firms into a straight line lets me know everything I need to.

"Fine," she shrugs. "You're the boss."

And I know that's when she'd decided she was going to leave. It was six weeks after this that she walked out. Since then, I've been thinking about how I could've done things differently. Offering her what I know she wanted is my first step in doing that.

The back door opens and the morning crew walks in. I told them she would be here this morning, and over half of them worked with her the first time she was here. They call out greetings, and when I don't hear any arguing, I put my head down and get to work.

W hen I look up, it's three hours later. The worst part about owning this place is the amount of paperwork and busy shit I have to do. I wish I could spend more time out on the floor, and be creative, but unfortunately, this is what I do now.

Getting up, I stretch, reaching toward the sky and rotate to the left, then to the right. Being stuck in this chair is going to make me gain weight if I don't get out of it every once in a while. Heading out to the prep area, I wave at everyone before going over to where Lyla is. "Can I see what you've come up with?"

She steps back from the prep table, showing me her handiwork. These cookies glitter like a pop star's boots in the spotlight on a big stage. "What do you think?"

"Those are amazing. They're so bright you can see the damn things from space. They're almost too nice looking to eat."

The smile that spread across her face is worth every compliment I've given her. "You really think so? I have a dozen cupcakes over here, too. I know you only said cookies, but I thought a few cupcakes would go over well too. I mean, kids love anything that's sweet."

"Thank you. I'm sure they're going to love it all. How many more do you have to finish?"

She looks around, lifting from the prep table, groaning as she does. "Nobody realizes how physical this job is. I'm getting too old not to stretch."

"I thought the same thing when I got up from my chair. It sucks getting older."

"Doesn't it? To answer your question, I'll be done in about an hour. Then I'd love to make some for the case, if that's okay with you?"

This is new. Back in the day, she wouldn't have asked for permission, she would've asked for forgiveness. "Whatever you decide to do, I'm okay with. If it negatively affects the bakery, then we'll discuss it."

"You're much more laid back this time, Lincoln. It's kind of disconcerting."

"I'm different than I was." I blow out a breath, wondering if I want to go deeper into this now. In the end, I decide if we're going to work together, we'll need to be honest with one another. "When you left, I knew you were going to be a runaway success, Lyla. When you did good for a few months, and then I could see it dying down for you, I realized how easy it is for things that are going great to turn around. You gave me my mortality in this business." I roll my lips together. "I hated to see what happened, and I know how fucking talented you are. There's no reason this community shouldn't have your art in it, and I want to make that happen." What I don't say is I fucking missed her.

"Lincoln, I didn't realize you cared." Before, that would've been said as a smartass, but this time, it sounds like she's actually surprised.

I didn't either. "I've grown up since you stopped working here. Things have changed, and I'm a more empathetic person than I was. I'm sorry I was a dick back then."

She looks like she wants to apologize, too, but she gives me a grin. "You were. I'm glad you grew up."

And with those words, she turns on her heel and goes to get the boxes for the cookies.