28. Elodie

ELODIE

M y new normal consists of spending time with Mom and Nina and baking nonstop, trying to come up with a concept for my nonexistent bakery. They’ve tried each of my desserts, and they’re all good, but I want something different. Something that stands out from the typical shop.

Stella and Aria proposed that I could debut my bakery at a charity event they’re organizing. It’s a fantastic idea, especially with the publicity that will follow, but that also has put me under time pressure to work something out. I don’t even know if I want to make an online-only store or have a shop in Skyrise, to be close to Hunter.

“What do you have this time?” Nina says, breezing into my mom’s house. “Oh wow, what smells so good?”

“Chai-spiced donuts.”

Nina makes some grabby hands. “Give me. ”

I laugh and put one on a plate, passing it to her.

She takes a big bite and sighs. “This slaps. You definitely need to have something donut related in your bakery.”

“But I want to have a new take on donuts. Right now, the favorites are cookies and donuts and—” I break off, an idea striking me. “Wait, what if I make a donut-stuffed cookie?”

“I have no idea what that entails, but my mouth just watered.”

I laugh and grab a muffin tin. “Maybe I can use a donut hole instead. Make them thick and gorgeous and a perfect balance between the two desserts.” I glance at the time and do a double take at Nina. “Wait, what are you doing here so early?”

“Have you been online recently?”

I shake my head. I did, when I first got home, but I was checking for updates obsessively. From Hunter, from Stella, from the media and it all became too much, too unhealthy for me to continue like that. So, I deleted all my social media and only answer my phone if it rings with a call, most of the time from Hunter. Stella’s been on lockdown, so we haven’t been able to talk much.

“Stella released a statement, a plea for people to back off on this stupid competition and she publicly broke up with Hunter. But that’s not the issue. Jax responded by questioning the original video I posted of you singing at the bar in Nashville. He said Stella would never do that and asked for people to head there to investigate that night.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure if people are going to follow the trail after Stella’s video, but if they do…”

I nod, picking up what she’s putting down. “I got you. I’ll be careful.” I haven’t left the house since arriving here. My town is too small, too gossip filled to debut my new look without speculation. “Let’s move you, my mom, and me to Skyrise, or a city nearby. No one will know us there. We can move around more freely.”

“I’d love to leave here for good, but that’ll take weeks to close on a house. Maybe we should go on a vacation for a couple weeks first. Let this all blow over and get you out of possible danger.”

It’s a good idea, especially if someone starts poking around here. I’d also love to treat Nina to a fancy vacation, to take care of her like she’s taken care of me. Much to her dismay, I’ve been sending her money regularly, to get her out of the trailer home she shares with her mom, but she refuses to use the money and insists on staying there.

I start in on making the cookie dough and ask, “Where would you want to go on vacation?”

“A beach resort in the Caribbean.”

I laugh. “Been thinking about that for some time, huh?”

“Mayyyybe. ”

“Let’s do it. Some time away would be beneficial. Maybe I can rent a house somewhere else for Mom for a while, get her away too.”

“Good idea. Rose has always wanted to go to Florida…”

I grin. “I think a house on the beach would do her some good.”

I try my donut-hole-cookie idea while we chat about our upcoming trip. When she tries the finished product, in the shape of a flat muffin, her eyes widen. “This is it. This is what you need to sell.”

I try one myself and groan. “Holy shit. Did I make this?”

Nina snorts. “Don’t be surprised. You’re fucking talented.”

“Hey,” I say in my daily video call to Hunter. “How are you?”

“Good, Stella’s video worked. There are still five people who consistently follow me, but no one has tried to break in again, so that’s a win.”

“I’m worried about you…”

“Don’t be. I’ve got a team of people keeping me safe. I’m more worried about you.”

“I’m okay. Nina and I are going to go on a beach vacation for a week.”

“That’ll be fun. What spurred this on? ”

“Well…people have been poking around that bar in Nashville I sang at. The one that went viral and caught Stella’s attention.”

“Shit. So, you’re leaving in case anyone comes to your town?”

I nod. “It’s just a safety precaution. I’m also moving my mom to a beach house in Florida for the week since she doesn’t want to go to the Caribbean.”

“You should take a bodyguard with you.”

“That’ll be too obvious. I plan to wear a prosthetic nose and overexaggerate my lip liner and lipstick to make my lips bigger. So, if I am photographed, it won’t be obvious I look like Stella.” Nina had the idea about the lips and nose, and I’ve rented a villa on the beach for us. No one will be around, except a chef to make our meals for the day. Nina plans to be the only one interacting with them, and with our private plane, it should be safe. Well, safer than here. “I wish you could come.”

“Me too,” he says sadly. “But I’m being followed too closely. Tell me more about what’s new with you.”

I launch into the details of my cookie-and-donut-hole idea, and he listens intently as I talk about my passion. He demands I send some to Jake and that he’ll try them at his house. I grin, loving how supportive he is.

He yawns multiple times and I say, “Are you sleeping okay?”

“Yeah, just had a grueling practice. I’ll be fine. ”

I squint at the screen, trying to determine if he’s lying or not. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’m good. I’ve got to run, but don’t forget to send me those desserts.”

“I promise,” I say. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

When we hang up, I can’t help the worry that nags me. There’s something off about Hunter, and I can’t put my finger on it. Is it the stress of being followed nonstop? Something else?

I wish I could fix it for him, or at least take away some of the burden he’s dealing with. I feel guilty for going on vacation and enjoying myself while he and Stella are still suffering.

Sighing, I pack for my trip, not feeling as excited about it as I originally was.