The Baker

Chapter 37

Ben's heart was breaking. It was shattering into a million pieces and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He was currently staring at his girlfriend who was curled up in his bed, with tissues around her, ZzzQuill on the nightstand so she can actually sleep, and of course, a broken heart. Jess left that night, but Ben still made Cassie pack a bag and bring it over to his place since the restaurant (that Cassie insisted they still go to as to not ruin their anniversary) was closer to his place. 

That was last week and she was still here. Not that he minded, he loved having her here. He just wishes she were happier. She lost her best friend of nearly twenty years. And if things couldn't get any worse, Ben leaves for L.A. to film Star Trek tomorrow. He's going to be gone for six months. 

He sat down on the bed, in the crook of her legs. She didn't look at him, just stared blankly at the wall. "Baby, I wish you would come with me," Ben cooned as he smoothed back her hair. "I'm sure Alice could take over for a while." She sniffled a bit, before saying, "No. It's fine." She averted her eyes to the clock and saw it was almost ten o'clock. She started to get up, but Ben placed his hands on her shoulders and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Going to work," she said as if it were obvious. "I've been gone for a week, what does that say?" He was a little curious about her sudden change in attitude. First, she wasn't talking, only crying; then, she refused to get out of bed; and now she wants to go to work. 

"Alright, Cass, I know you do this thing where you bury yourself in work to block everything out, but...honey that's not good. Come with me to Los Angeles for a little bit. You can even drive up to Ojai to visit your family if you want. It's only a couple hours there, yes?" She nodded. 

He could tell she was thinking about it because she was doing that thing where she bites her lip, as if she's debating with herself. "What if I come up in a couple weeks?" She asked. "That way I can get things settled at the bakery if Jess decided to leave. If she did, then I'll have to promote Alice, get in interviews for another worker, all while training Alice, and then I can finally have some me time." 

Ben placed a kiss on her forehead and told her, "If that's what you have to do, then do it. But you will be visiting me at least a week every month. I'll pay for every trip and I don't want you complaining about it." He pointed a stern finger at her as she was just about to complain. He knows her so well. 

***

"I love you," kiss, "I love you," kiss, "I love you," kiss. "And I'll see you in a couple weeks," kiss. Cassie was entranced in the long, loving kiss Ben was giving her outside of work. He insisted that he drop her off in his way to the airport and it was proving hard for both of them to say goodbye. 

"I love you too, Ben," she breathed. "I'm going to miss you." He stroked her cheek and smiled. "I know, baby. But I'll call you tonight, okay? And remember, if you ever need to talk, you just call me. I don't care how late or early, you just do. Do you still have Karon's number?" She nodded. "Okay, call her if you can't reach me. I'll drop whatever I'm doing. Yes?" 

"Yes," she told him with a small smile. He chuckled, "That's my girl." He gave her one more lingering kiss before saying, "I have to go. I'll call you later." And just like that...he was gone. 

Cassie took a deep breath and straightened up. It was work time now. She had to focus. When she walked into the bakery, all employee eyes were on her. She was a bit curious about that, but continued to walk into her office. 

There, she saw Jess packing up her things at her desk. She stopped for a moment to look at Cassie, then continued without saying a word. Cassie just sat at her desk and pretended to do something important. A few minutes later, Jess walked up to her desk and handed her a piece of paper. "My resignation," she simply told her. 

Cassie took it and set it on her desk. Jess started to walk out, but then stopped and turned back to Cassie. "You know...it used to just be us. You and me against the world." Cassie didn't look at her and tried not to even listen to her. Still, Jess continued, "Have fun fucking Britian's hottest man. He won't be around for long, especially if he's in L.A. for six months." 

Cassie snapped her head up to Jess to retort, but she was gone. She sat there for moment, not willing to let any emotions come into play like they have for the past week. She tapped her pen against the desk, as the air tensed around her more and more. 

Finally, she slapped down the pen, shot Ben a quick text, and then walked out into the bakery. Alice was just walking to a table when she called her. Alice turned and saw Cassie gesturing to come into the office. She quickly served the table she was waiting at, then rushed over to the office. 

Alice nervously wiped her hands on her uniform, as Cassie looked over the paper on her desk. 
Alice...I need you to take that apron off." She paused before continuing, "You've been premoted to General Manager."