Nora pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Sophia covered the distance between them and stopped on the other side of the desk. “I won’t be upset if you take back the offer and re-hire Valerie. Maybe she is a better fit. She’s got a lot of ideas already.”
“So do you.”
Sophia shook her head. “Mine aren’t really ideas so much as rough drafts. To be honest, I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with the bakery, but I want you to know that if you still want me as manager, I’ll take care of Nora’s.”
Nora studied her face. “Yes, I know you will. I’ve seen how much thought and effort you put into things, Sophia. I don’t doubt that Nora’s will be in good hands.”
Silence stretched between them.
“I trust that you’ll make the right decision for Nora’s Delights,” Nora continued in a clearer voice. “In light of that, I’d like us to change the terms of our arrangement. You can rent out Nora’s on the condition that you make sure you find a good manager if you decide to leave, and you accept thirty percent of the profits to be used in case you want to open up your own bakery someday.”
Sophia’s eyes filled with tears, and her stomach gave an odd little dip. “That’s…really generous. I don’t know if I can accept that.”
Nora stood up and smiled. “You can and you will because this deal is beneficial for both of us.”
Sophia blinked back the tears. “You’re right.”
Nora held her hand out, and her smile grew wider. “I’ll have my lawyer draft up the contract and have it for you within a few days.”
Sophia stepped forward and took Nora’s hand in hers. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
Nora gave her a firm shake. “I know you’re not going to disappoint me, and I look forward to seeing what you do with the place.”
Sophia paused. “You’re not upset about any of the changes I’m thinking of making?”
Nora released Sophia’s hand and shook her head. “I’d like to be included in major decisions, but I like the idea of a bakery truck on the beach. Or an on-the-go truck of sorts. It could move around every few days to keep people guessing and keep interest in the bakery at an all-time high.”
“Are you sure you want to retire?”
Nora chuckled. “I’ll leave the day-to-day operations to you. I want to spend more time with my kids and grandkids.”
Sophia nodded and didn’t respond.
With a smile, Nora waved her away, and Sophia stepped back outside. On her way back into the kitchen, she brushed past Valerie, who went out of her way to block Sophia’s path and give her a withering look. Sophia ignored her and went into the locker room, where she studied her reflection in the mirror, a smile hovering on the edge of her lips.
At the end of her shift, when Sophia stepped outside for some fresh air, Zoe was crossing the street and making a beeline for her. Sophia adjusted the purse on her shoulders and squinted at her daughter, a vision with her dark hair, silver-gray eyes, and jean jumpsuit that made her look like she came straight out of the nineties.
“Sweetheart, I didn’t know you were passing by today.” Sophia kissed both of her daughter’s cheeks and stepped back to look at her. “I like this look on you.”
“I’m experimenting with my style,” Zoe replied with a smile. “Also, you know how fast word spreads.”
“Don’t tell me you heard about Nora’s offer already.”
Zoe draped her arm over Sophia’s shoulders and grinned. “The whole town is talking about it already. Everyone’s so relieved it’s going to be you, not Valerie.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Valerie is qualified, though, and she’s been around longer.”
“Some people aren’t meant to be managers.” Zoe stopped and scanned the empty parking lot in the back alley behind the pastry shop. “Where’s your car?”
“I wanted to walk today. Don’t tell your Aunt Lily, but I think walking is starting to rub off on me.”
Together, the two of them began to walk in the direction of Stu’s house, silence settling between them. Zoe matched her pace to her mom’s, a thoughtful expression on her face. When they came to a stop outside Stu’s house, Zoe leaned against the fence and smiled.
“So, I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks, and I think I know what I want to do next.”
Sophia stopped searching for her keys and looked up. “Oh?”
