"I mean it in the way of you needing sleep."
"I'm fine." I make my way over to Noah's cake.
"You're not fine. I can tell you're exhausted. It's even in your voice,” she points out. "Not to mention I've only gotten one laugh from you and no smiles. You're off."
“I'm not off, but I do need a good night's sleep. It's getting harder to keep up."
"Then why are you?" Tilly rests her hips against the counter next to me.
"What do you mean? I keep selling out, so I need more product." I also need more space in my kitchen if I want to start producing more treats each day. My ovens are already in full use every second that I’m here.
"Why?" she asks again, and I stop what I'm doing to stare at her.
"I just told you why."
"If you sell out, you sell out.” She shrugs. “Flip the sign to closed. Is it worth running yourself ragged to try and keep up?"
Holy Christmas balls. That’s not something I’ve considered because it’s never been an option in my mind. I’m not sure why, but I suppose I just keep pushing forward.
"I don't know." I take in a deep breath and let it back out.
"I think you should really think it over. Also, you don't have to be open seven days a week, and if you are, it doesn't mean you need to be here. Mia and Lucy will have your back. You need to learn to delegate." I know she's right, but that's easier said than done.
“Okay, I’ll think on it,” I tell her, hoping she’ll back off the subject.
“Molly, I know you. You’re going to push this conversation to the back of your mind, and the next time I show up over here, you’re going to put pep in your step and hit me with a bullshit smile.”
“Hey, my smiles aren’t bullshit,” I huff. Okay, they might be. Also, once again she’s right.
“Not all of them. I mean, we can talk about it if you want.”
“Talk about what?” I’m not sure what she is getting at.
“How you stay extra busy and never slow down because if you do, you might have to process how you’re really feeling. All those built-up emotions.”
I stare at her, unblinking. “When did you become a therapist?”
“I think I could be a life coach.” She nods her head adamantly.
“That’s a scary thought.”
“Is this his?” Tilly nods down to the cake.
“Yep,” I say, and Tilly scoots closer. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m not.” She holds her hands up. “You’d just kill yourself making another one after I left.” She’s not wrong. I’ve never not completed an order before, and I’m not going to start today. Even if the guy is a jackass.
Wait, not a jackass. Cheerful already has one of those with Dominick. He’s adorable and sweet, so it’s an insult to him if I call Noah one. I’ll stick with asshole.
I start decorating the cake, and Tilly keeps on watching me. After a moment, I look at her out of the corner of my eye. "Are you done?"
"Done? I don't think I've ever been done in my life,” she says, and I snort a laugh. "But I'll leave you to it. I’ve got a man to get back to."
That does make me smile for real. Tilly and Paxton are so cute together.
"All right," I say and lift my head so she can kiss my cheek.
"You know, Lankenstein isn't hard on the eyes." I’m shocked by Tilly’s comment. I thought we hated him.
