Sugar, Spice & Secrets

23

"Here? In the bakery?" I managed to utter. The words felt foreign on my tongue as Helen's words sunk in.

Helen continued, unaware of the internal turmoil brewing within me. "Yes, dear! She said they wanted a cosy, quiet place, and she thought this would be perfect. Isn't that sweet?"

Sweet. That word echoed in my mind, mingling with the bittersweet reality of the situation. A pang of jealousy, mixed with confusion and hurt, settled in the pit of my stomach.

"I'm sure she's going to pop in later in the afternoon to tell you all about it," Helen added with a cheerful smile.

"Isn't that great?" I mumbled, more to myself than to Helen.

Helen's expression shifted. "What?"

I forced a smile. "Oh, nothing!"

"Oh, I'm so excited!" Helen chuckled, clapping her hands together. "And it's you that I have all of this to thank for. I can't wait to hear all the details."

"Yeah, me too," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of detachment.

"Anyway, I also came to get the cinnamon rolls you promised me," Helen requested, her excitement undeterred.

"Of course, Helen. Let me get them for you," I replied, a practiced smile masking the internal turmoil. As I moved to retrieve the cinnamon rolls, I couldn't shake the conflicting emotions that reverberated through every step.

"Here you go, Helen," I said, handing her the box of cinnamon rolls. My voice, though outwardly composed, carried a subtle undercurrent of distraction.

"Thank you, dear!" Helen beamed. "I'll enjoy these with the tea Peter brought for me. You truly make the best cinnamon rolls in the city!"

"Thank you, Helen," I replied, mustering a genuine smile for her sake.

As the hours passed, the bakery settled into a quiet lull as the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room. The prospect of Avery coming over to share the details of her date with Gabriele loomed, and I couldn't shake the sense of unease that accompanied it.

As the clock ticked closer to her anticipated visit, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. The bouquet, a silent witness to the unfolding drama, seemed to hold the weight of unspoken questions. I glanced at it, wondering if flowers could truly convey the complexity of human emotions as Gabriele had said this morning.

When the chime of the door signalled Avery's return, I braced myself for the inevitable. She entered with a beaming smile, the very picture of someone who was experiencing a delightful day.

"Hey, Julie!" Avery greeted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Hey," I replied, my tone carefully neutral. "Someone's excited."

"Of course, I am," she was practically beaming as she sat down on the stool. "You wouldn't believe what happened this morning,"

"Do tell,"

"Gabriele asked me out on a date," she squealed, squeezing her hands into a fist.

"He asked you out?" I echoed, forcing a smile that felt more like a fragile mask.

"Yes! Can you believe it?" Avery's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It was unexpected, but in a good way. He's such a charmer."

I nodded, my words measured. "That's great, Avery. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Julie!" Avery beamed, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of conflicting emotions. "I was actually coming here to tell you all about it because we want to have it here."