Page 16 of Falling for Her
He knows full well that I’m not seeing anyone right now, haven’t even dated since Mark, and I narrow my eyes at him because the ass has just opened a can of worms by how my father has just paused mid-bite.
My whole focus has been on the bakery and helping Daddy with Aiden. Night feeds, doctor appointments, vaccines, housework, business classes, and culinary school, nothing else is on my radar right now, much to my father's and Cody’s dismay. They want me to live a little, and I do just for my family instead, and that ass has opened his mouth on purpose.
Dad looks at me with a raised brow, and I glare at Cody, knowing I now won’t hear the end of my lack of dating life from Dad. He grins wide before taking a large bite of his cookie, and I snap, “And when are you popping the question to Haley?” as he’s mid swallow and he chokes and coughs, scattering crumbs everywhere. I grin widely as Dad laughs. Meanwhile, Aiden continues devouring his cake, carelessly smearing icing all over his chubby face.
Damn, that boy is a cutie.
“Proposing, are you insane?!” Cody croaks as he bangs on his chest, and I shrug and admit, “She questioned me the other day when I thought you’d ask her.”
His eyes widen as his face pales and he stutters, “B-but it-it, it’s only been a year, I-I, I’m doing an apprenticeship… I still live with my mother!”
I smirk as he sits back in his seat, blinking several times and I can’t help my little evil chuckle as I turn and go to the counter to grab some wipes before heading back to my brother, all while my dad’s face reddens as he tries to hold in his laugh.
Chuckling, I take Aiden’s right hand, clean his fingers, and then do the same with his left. He giggles, and I smile softly as I wipe his face before I hand him his juice, making him grin.
“You’re really good with him, sweetheart,” my dad says while Cody stays in shock.
“He makes it easy, Daddy, for both of us,” I reply and pick up his plate. Dad hums and then asks, “Are you finally ready?”
I flinch and look around the lightly lilac-painted walls. The name Jacobs Bakery on the back wall catching my attention as it flashes.
I know what he wants, and I know he believes I’ve got this, but the shoes that need filling are extremely big.
I don’t know if I can do mom proud.
“I haven’t finished my business degree,” I try, and he chuckles, making me look his way.
Dad sits forward, seriousness surrounding him as he reminds me, “You can run this place in your sleep. My law practice is bringing in a lot of money, so I don’t need this place now, and we both know your mother wanted you to have it. Let me sign it over to you, Mer.”
I soften at his little nickname for me, something only he and Mom and now Aiden call me, and Cody snaps out of his shocked state hearing what my dad is saying, and he softens a little and chimes in, “He’s right, Ess. Besides you’ve been basically running this place for years anyhow even before losing Trish.”
I twitch my nose and look at Aiden who’s busy coloring his pirate picture, and pain hits me hard.
Mom was supposed to be here, handing the reins over to me with Daddy, but she’s not.
“Can we wait another year?” I whisper, not able to let go of the past just yet.
Dad sighs and reluctantly amends, “I’ll give you six months instead, and then I’m signing the deed over to you.”
I snort as the bell above the door chimes. “Okay,” I say, and he smiles however, his smile turns into a frown when a loud, angry voice demands, “Is there any service around here?”
The voice goes through me, sending goosebumps up my arms, shocking me. I blink a few times as I turn, only to be half-bumped into, making me jump as the man snaps, “Coffee once you’ve finished yapping!”
I narrow my eyes, turn around quickly, and see the guy slumping down on the back table, all while my heart rate picks up and my body tingles.
What the….
“I’ll serve him, sweetheart,” dad sighs but I quickly stop him from standing and growl, “No, I have this,” as I spin and go to the counter, my dad’s chuckle following me as Cody mutters, “Ah fuck, I hope she doesn’t tip the cup over his head.”
Hmm, not a bad idea.
I hate nothing more than customers who believe they can talk down to me and my staff and act like they are superior. I’m all for the customer is always right moto, but not when they act like a dick.
Taking a deep breath, I quickly pour coffee into a mug and place it on the tray with a small jug of milk and some sugar. Then, I grab one of the mini cupcakes and a plate and put them on the tray as well.
What was it that mom used to say? “Kill them with kindness, and if that doesn’t work, food poisons them.”
I chuckle lightly as I walk around the counter and to the back of the bakery, feeling my family's eyes on me.
