After a brief pause, Darren took her into his arms and stroked her back. “I know this is all hard, but it’s going to be okay. I’ve got you, Soph. You don’t have to face any of this alone.”
Sophia buried her face in the crook of his neck and squeezed her eyes shut.
Whenever Darren held her like that, she could almost believe everything really was going to be okay, even if a small part of her still felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“What’s going on? Is everyone okay?” Sophia’s hands fell to her sides, and she glanced around the half-empty kitchen.
Without the usual sound of pots and pans banging, it was unusually quiet, with half of the kitchen staff standing near the double doors that led out into the main part of the bakery, arms folded over their chests and wearing identical determined expressions.
The crowd parted, and Valerie stepped out, sleek hair falling down her shoulders and a cruel glint in her eyes. “This is all your fault.”
Sophia blinked. “My fault? How? I don’t even know what you’re doing.”
“We’re staging a walkout,” Valerie announced with a quick look around the kitchen. “These are all the people who agree that I should’ve been chosen as Nora’s successor, and they’re willing to walk out of here with me.”
Sophia glanced between Valerie and the other employees who wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Have you spoken to Nora? What are your demands?”
Valerie’s expression turned triumphant. “Turn down the manager position, submit your resignation, effectively immediately, and we’ll consider staying.”
Sophia frowned and ignored the tight knots in her stomach. “That doesn’t sound like a fair deal. I can’t do all of that in the hopes that you’llmaybechange your mind. Going to need some kind of guarantee that you’re not going to screw Nora’s over.”
Because even if Sophia doubted her own worth and her leadership skills, it didn’t mean she was going to leave Nora’s without a fight—and in Valerie’s hands, of all people. Already, Valerie was proving that her own needs and wants came before the bakery’s, and Sophia knew enough to realize that didn’t make her a good manager.
Valerie scowled. “You’reone to talk. You’re the reason we’re in this mess. If you hadn’t swooped in and stolen the promotion out from under me—”
“I didn’t sweep in and steal anything, Valerie,” Sophia interrupted with a pointed look. “I might not have worked here as long as you, but I’ve been in the business a lot longer, and at the end of the day, Nora wanted me. That’s all that matters. You need to respect that.”
“And you need to get on board.” Nora materialized by Sophia’s side, an eerily calm expression on her face. “If you don’t like the changes I’m making, you’re welcome to leave. ButIam the owner of Nora’s Delights, and this is my decision.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
Nora stepped forward, and her eyes swept over the room. “If anyone has any kind of problems, now is your chance to talk. Let’s see if we can come to a satisfying compromise together.”
A few of the employees coughed, but no one said a thing.
“Don’t be unreasonable, Valerie.” Nora twisted to face her and gave her a tight smile. “It’s not too late to do the mature thing.”
Valerie sputtered, and her face turned bright red. “You’rethe one who did the wrong thing. I’m the best thing that ever happened to this bakery. You’ll regret not choosing me.”
With that, Valerie spun on her heels and stomped off.
After a brief hesitation, a few of the people who’d rallied around her followed, earning a few curious looks from the regulars. The rest of the employees scurried back behind the counter and busied themselves around the kitchen.
Nora and Sophia were in her office, discussing the next plan, when Emily came in, a slew of her employees behind her.
Wordlessly, she gestured to the kitchen, and they went to work.
“What’s going on?”
“I heard about what happened, and I wanted to help.” Emily stepped forward and held her hand out. “Hi, I’m Emily Mason, Sophia’s cousin and owner of Decadent Treats. I know we haven’t officially met, and we’re supposed to be rivals, but I’m a big fan of your work.”
In a daze, Nora rose to her feet and gave Emily’s hand a quick shake. “I see no need for us to compete. There’s plenty of room for both of us.”
Emily nodded. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. I’ve already spoken to some of my staff, and a few of them agreed to help out here until you can find replacements. They’ll be splitting their time between both bakeries if that’s okay with you.”
Nora sank back against her chair, her lips lifting into a half smile. “Yes, of course, that’s okay with me. Thank you. That’s very nice of you.”
