Chapter Twenty One
“Paul, I’m only one person. You’re bringing orders faster than I can fill them. The kids are only here part-time and since Donna had that family emergency we’re swamped. Do you think we can hire another full-time baker?” Noelle sat down at the table across from her business partner, coffee in hand. The shop was blissfully quiet for the first time that day.
Before they’d opened their bakery, Paul had told her things may be slow in the beginning until they built up their clientele so she hadn’t expected to be this busy. The designer cakes she’d made for Alyssa’s wedding and the art gallery had garnered them a lot of business, but the cupcakes Noelle baked daily had taken off as well.
Running the bakery was hectic and rewarding at the same time. Most nights she’d go home so bone tired she’d be out before her head hit the pillow, Noelle wouldn’t trade this feeling for the world. She was proud of herself to be doing something she enjoyed and making a living from it. She only wished her mom was alive to see her namesake, Dot’s Bakery.
“Relax, Noelle. I’m on it. I’ll send out an ad for another baker and hire another part-timer to help out in the front. Actually, I was thinking maybe we should have a full-time person to just handle the cash register.”
“We’re just starting out. Are you sure we should be taking on all these people so soon?”
“I think our budget can handle it. We’re already getting a lot of business in the shop but orders for specialty cakes are coming in much faster than I expected. You’re going to have to work around the clock in order to fill them unless we get you some help.”
“The baking part is easy, but the orders we’ve received lately have been for really detailed cakes. Not all bakers have a knack for that, and it will take more time for me to train someone to help than actually doing it by myself if we don’t find the right person. I think we should look for someone with an artistic background for the job. And as much as it pains me to say this, I think we’ll need to turn away some of these projects.”
“You’re right, Noelle. I guess I got a little overzealous. I just have this fear of falling flat on my face.”
Noelle was surprised to hear this. She’d never seen Paul uncertain in anything unless her cousin was involved. “Is it my turn to give you a pep talk?” she teased.
“I guess a little ego boost couldn’t hurt right now. I want to feel validated for walking away from a well-paying job to start my own business. I’m aware of how many businesses fail within the first year and I don’t want us to be one of them.”
“We’re doing well, Paul. Relax. So, what’s the new order you mentioned earlier?”
‘”I wrote down the details. The client wants you to call them back to discuss the order further. They said price was no object.”
“Okay, I’ll call at the end of the day. Since we have some down time, I think I’ll try out a new recipe I’ve been fiddling with.”
Paul held up his hand to stop her. “Hold on for a second, I wanted to talk to you about something. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. But I’m sure there’s a reason why you’re asking.”
“We haven’t really had a chance to talk since the gallery function.”
She stiffened. “Because I didn’t want to talk about it. So what? I saw James. Big deal.”
Paul gave her a long accessing stare. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t push. But I’m here if you need to.”
“Thanks, Paul. I think I’ll head back now.”
Just as Noelle walked to the kitchen the bell dinged, indicating a customer coming into the shop. She turned around with a smile and was surprised to see her old professor from art school.
“Miss Greene. You work here? This is a pleasant surprise?”
“Professor McGregor, this is a surprise, but I’m not sure if it’s a pleasant one,” she answered honestly.
The man who had made it his life’s mission to make Noelle miserable actually chuckled. Outside of the classroom setting he actually seemed human. “I know I’m not one of your favorite people, Miss Greene, but you were definitely one of my favorite students. I was sorry when you dropped my class.”
“Actually, I left school altogether.”
“Yes, I found that out. It’s a shame. You had a lot of potential.”
This was news to her. “Pardon my bluntness, but you only had criticism for my work.”
“Miss Greene, I’ve gained a reputation for being harsh but I think I’m fair. I was only coming down on you because you weren’t living up to your true potential. You were one of the most talented pupils I’ve had in a while. Technically your work was flawless but something was missing. The passion wasn’t there.”
“I didn’t know you felt that way. Why didn’t you just tell me instead of being so harsh?”
“Because I suspected and you probably figured out for yourself that the type of art I asked you to produce wasn’t your calling. So, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding this place. What do you recommend?”
“Everything is made fresh daily, but if you’re looking for an individual treat, I’d suggest a cupcake. Try the salted caramel, they’re our most popular.”
“I think I will. Box four of them and I’ll take one to go.”
Once she rung him up and handed him his purchases, he took a bite into one of the cupcakes. “Mmm. I can see why these are so popular.”
“It’s a spin on my mother’s recipe.”
He smiled. “Seems like you’ve found your passion after all.”
When he left, Noelle couldn’t help but smile. All that time in art school she’d doubted herself when all along the problems wasn’t the work but her lack of interest in it. She was still riding on the high of her former professor’s compliment when she heard the bell ring again. As she looked toward the door, her smile fell.
Noelle looked around the shop to see Paul had disappeared. He was probably in his office and couldn’t act as the buffer she so desperately needed. “What are you doing here?”
James strode over to the corner with a slow swagger. Noelle willed herself not to react to his handsome visage and his hypnotic gray gaze. “Is this the way you greet all your customers?”
“I’m surprised you’ve lowered yourself to visit this humble establishment. Felt like slumming today?”
“Don’t degrade yourself like that, Noelle.”
Was he for real? If she didn’t know him any better she’d think he was actually sincere. “Oh, so you’re the only one allowed to degrade me? I’m sure you have a reason for being here so why don’t you tell me and then leave. I have a business to run.”
He flinched. “I never meant to hurt you, Noelle.”
“Wow. For someone who didn’t mean it, you were pretty damn good at it. Look, I can’t do this now. Please leave.”
“All I need is just ten minutes of your time. Could you at least hear me out?”
She had a feeling he wouldn’t go away until she listened to what he had to say. “You’ve really got a lot of nerve. Do you know that?”
He smiled humorously. “Well I didn’t get to where I was by taking no for an answer.”
“How nice for you,” she muttered. “Let me get someone from the back to watch the register.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m not doing this for you. I just need you to say what you have to say to get you out of my life.”
Noelle went in back and asked Gabby to come out front. She bypassed Paul’s office not wanting him to know James was out here. Paul still held a lot of animosity toward James.
“Okay, let’s go outside. I don’t want this conversation to be overheard.”
James nodded and followed her outdoors.
Noelle put as much distance between them as possible and crossed her arms over her chest. “So?”
James stared at her as if he were committing each of her features to memory. If he continued to look at her like that, Noelle would crack. “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”
“I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful. I like your hair that way.”
Noelle self-consciously touched her short curly afro. She’d taken out the weave, and shaved her head close to the scalp, feeling a lot like a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis for the first time. She found wearing her hair in its natural state suited her, but it still felt weird to hear James compliment her on it when she’d altered herself so drastically for him. “I doubt you’re here to discuss my hairstyle.”
“I didn’t, but it’s the truth.” He cleared his throat looking uncomfortable and unsure of himself. She’d never seen him look anything other than the confident and mostly arrogant man he was. She hated seeing this humbled version of James; it robbed her of her anger. It saddened her that James couldn’t be this way when they were together.
Noelle sighed, feeling weary. “James, if you’re not going to say anything, I have to go back inside.”
“Wait.” He placed his hand on her shoulder.
She jerked away from his scalding touch. They hadn’t been lovers for months but her body hadn’t forgotten him.
James backed away, holding his hands up to show he meant no harm. “I’m sorry. I’m making a mess of this.” He racked his hands through his hair. “I’m not sure where to begin and five minutes won’t be enough time. Have dinner with me tonight.”
She held herself rigid against his invitation. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Because of Paul?”
“Paul? What does he have to do with this?”
“You two are seeing each other now, aren’t you?”
She wasn’t sure where he’d gotten the idea she and Paul were a couple, but she decided not to disabuse him of the idea. He’d put her through way too much for her honesty. “That’s none of your business. We’re nothing to each other anymore. We were never anything to each other, were we? Look, I appreciate your apology earlier. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you but I’m letting you off the hook. You don’t have to give me some long drawn-out explanation for why you were such an asshole. I’m just as much to blame because I allowed you to treat me that way, but I’m not going to be your doormat anymore.”
“Eleanor and I are no longer engaged,” he blurted out.
Months ago this information would have caused her to leap for the moon but now it was too little too late. Even if he was no longer engaged, it changed nothing. “Good for her.”
“You’re not ready to listen, are you?” James asked with a hint of defeat in his voice.
“What tipped you off?”
“What’s going on out here?” Paul stepped outside and glared at James.
James’s lips tightened and his fists clenched at his sides. “Nice to see you again too, Paul.”
“I didn’t come out here to exchange pleasantries with you, Rothschild.” He turned his attention to Noelle. “Is he bothering you, honey?”
Noelle raised a brow. Honey? Paul never used that endearment with her before. She wondered if Paul was only trying to rile James, not that she minded. “Er, uh, yes. I’m fine. James was just leaving.”
James looked as if he wanted say something else but decided against it. He left without another word.
Once James was out of sight, she turned to Paul. “Honey? Did you by any chance tell him you and I are an item?”
“No. But when I let him have it for the way he treated you, he put two and two together and came up with five. It’s not my fault if he thinks we’re more than friends. What was he doing here anyway?”
“He said he wanted to talk and that I deserved an explanation.”
“In that case, I shouldn’t have interrupted you two. When I saw him, I went into big brother mode. I’m sorry for breaking in on the conversation.”
“I’m glad you came out. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I’m still in love with him. After what he put me through, am I crazy for feeling this way?”
“No. Strong feelings like you had for James don’t simply disappear at the drop of a hat. If that were the case there wouldn’t be so many sappy love songs on the radio.”
“I probably should have heard him out, but on the other hand it felt so good to finally tell him what I didn’t have the courage to a year ago.”
“That’s called growth, my dear. You’re not that same meek little mouse I first met. You are a lioness.”
Noelle giggled at his analogy. “I don’t much feel like one now but thanks for being a good friend.”
Paul put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a kiss on the temple.
As they went back into the shop, Noelle couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last she’d see of James. Not by a long shot.
“What the hell are you doing here? I should fire the entire staff. Oh yeah, that’s right, I forgot. I don’t have any except that cantankerous, half-blind old man who refuses to leave out of some misguided sense of loyalty. More likely he has no place else to go.” David shook his head before taking a healthy swallow of the amber liquid in his glass.
James wasn’t expecting a warm reception but he wasn’t going to let his brother’s hostility ward him off. This talk was a long time coming.
“Mind if I have a seat?” James asked.
“I doubt I could stop you.”David took another gulp from his glass.
James took a seat on the couch adjacent to the chaise lounge David reclined on. His brother looked a complete mess. His hair was tussled, there was several days of unshaven beard on his face, and he looked as he had slept in his clothes. His eyes were bloodshot and red-rimmed. Gone was the spoiled heir of AlCore James had cast as villain in his own personal life drama. In his place was a man defeated.
David narrowed his eyes. “So what are you here for anyway? Wanna rub salt in the wound? Mother is in Europe with her third husband, Carlo. He’s some Italian count who’s my age and has a raging coke habit from what I hear. She couldn’t be bothered to listen to my pedestrian problems, as she put it. The old man is still alive unfortunately. And Gillian has decided she can’t live like this. She gave me some speech about needing some space to find herself but the truth is, she’s basically checked out of the marriage.” David chuckled humorlessly and finished the remainder of his drink.
“Last I heard, she was in the Hamptons with her latest lover. And you already know that AlCore is kaput. The house is in foreclosure and it’s only a matter of time before the repo man comes knocking. So there you have it. My life in a nutshell. And you’re still doing swimmingly I hear so I guess you win. Congratulations.” David stood up to walk across the room to the bar.
James had imagined this moment for as long as he could remember. The Alexanders were ruined while he came out on top. He’d always imagined he’d feel triumph, but the reality, however, was nowhere near the fantasy. He took no pleasure in this moment. He didn’t like seeing David so defeated and pathetic. All these years he’d spent hating his half-brother and the Alexanders, the truth was, he didn’t hate them.
He hated himself.
It was a bitter pill to swallow to finally acknowledge the only person who had been standing in his way of happiness was him. And because of his pigheadedness he’d lost the one good thing in his life. Noelle.
James sighed, trying to find the words to say to his brother. David probably wouldn’t be receptive toward them but he had to try. “David, you may not believe this, but I didn’t come here to gloat, and this isn’t about winners or losers.”
“You could have fooled me. Gillian’s favorite pastime is rubbing your success in my face. She never stopped loving you, you know. Throughout our entire marriage, she always founds ways to compare me to you. Too bad she’s so impatient, she’d be living it up right now.”
“I’d say I made a lucky escape.”
David pursed his lips. “Must be nice to be over her so easily. Fool that I am, I actually still care for her. The bitch.”
“The way she came storming into my office, blaming me for your accident, I’d say she cares for you too.”
“The only person Gillian cares for is Gillian. Don’t read more into than her actions other than those of a woman bent on creating her own little melodrama. She lives for that shit. So what the hell are you here for again?”
“To talk. It’s time we cleared the air.”
David huffed. “Now that’s a laugh. Tell me another one.”
“I’m serious, David. Don’t you think it’s time for us to hash things out? I’m not suggesting we become best buddies but we are brothers, whether either of us want to acknowledge it or not.”
“You sound like a goddamn woman. What are we supposed to do? Sit here and talk about our feelings? I’ve thought of you as many things but a damn pussy wasn’t one of them.”
James bit the inside of his lip to stop himself from retaliating in kind. James recognized David’s petulant façade for what it was: a cover for his pain. James had carried his own hurt around for so long he could see David was suffering too. James took a measured breath to calm down before replying. “If wanting to clear the air makes me a pussy then so be it. If you have nothing to say, I have plenty.”
David shrugged. “It’s not like I can stop you.” He moved from behind the bar and headed to a large bay window in the corner presenting his back to James.
“David, for a very long time I blamed you and anyone who bore the name Alexander for anything that went wrong in my life. I blamed our father for casting my mother aside and essentially turning her into a drug addict. I hated you for all the torture I suffered through in school, and I was jealous when Gillian dumped me for you. What really sent me over the edge was Grandpa Lou’s death. I held the old man personally responsible for that one. That changed me.”
“Well, I guess you’ll have the last laugh then,” David spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.
“No. I haven’t laughed in a long time, actually. I always imagined seeing the downfall of this family would make me happy but it hasn’t. Whether you believe it or not, I didn’t have a hand in AlCore’s failure.”
“Gillian said you bragged about ending the contract between AlCore and Rothschild Holdings.”
“I think we both know Gillian has trouble with the truth. I did say things I shouldn’t have to her but I don’t make my business decisions based on emotion. One of the hotels my group acquired already had a contract in place with AlCore, but the only reason we didn’t renew it was because I already had a vendor in place that was more cost effective and produced a higher quality product. That’s it.”
“So you’re basically saying you didn’t dance for joy when you heard of AlCore’s troubles. How noble of you.”
“David, I’m human, so of course my initial reaction was to gloat but when it was all said and done I wasn’t happy. My focus was to be accepted by the people who used to reject me. I turned into the people I used to despise and I ended up hurting someone important to me. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I just want you to know, if you need my help for anything, you have it. No strings attached.”
David without turning around, placed his now empty glass on a nearby end table and slow clapped. “Brava. All we need now is some sappy orchestra music as this scene fades to black.”
“David—”
His brother turned then with red-rimmed eyes. “What exactly did you expect me to say after that? Let’s be brothers? Let’s start over again and be chums? If you’ve come here to appease your guilty conscience then fuck you. Go to a priest because you’ll get no absolution from me.”
James stood with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’ll leave my card on the table for you to call me.”
As James headed to the door he was stopped when David called out. “Yeah, now you can go behind my back and laugh at what a pathetic state you found me in. I’m sure you’ll sleep better tonight because of that sanctimonious little speech. You act like your world was so terrible but you got a free education at one of the best schools and have women throwing themselves at your feet. Now you’re a billionaire. Boo freakin’ hoo, life was so hard, wasn’t it? Even now you sit on your high horse and tell me we treated you like shit, yet you forgive me? Who the fuck do you think you are?”
James silently counted to ten to keep himself from saying something equally crass but his temper got the best of him. He whirled around and answered, “I never asked for my education to be paid, but do you honestly think it was free? Do you have any idea what he wanted in exchange for that free education? No, you probably don’t because you’re the precious heir.”
“Are you kidding me? I know exactly what that bastard wanted. It’s the same thing he wanted from me and any other little boy who caught his eye.”
James stilled. “He did it to you too? I thought….”
“Of course he did. He’s been doing it for years. What? Did you think you were special? Why do you think dear old Dad took the easy way out?” David laughed almost maniacally.
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t think our father died of natural causes do you? The old man did the same thing to him as he did to me and you apparently. Why do you think this family is so fucked up?”
Shortly after the funeral, James had learned the old man who’d called him a bastard was his paternal grandfather, Sheldon Alexander, head of AlCore. The second time James had seen Sheldon was at the reading of the will. He remembered sitting outside of the lawyer’s office waiting for his mother to come out. When she finally stormed out of the room she had been furious.
“I can’t fucking believe he left me out of the will. And all you got was tuition to that snooty-ass school. Too bad you’re not going just so you can walk around the house thinking you’re better than me. Come on.” She grabbed his arm roughly.
Just then, the old man came out of the office. “I would think you’d want your child to have a proper education, although in my opinion, Stephen was foolish for leaving this little bastard anything. With you for a mother and that uneducated buffoon for a grandfather, I can already see he’ll end up exactly like you. A big fat zero. Just don’t come knocking on our door for any more handouts.”
James could see the distress on his mother’s face and though she was rarely nice to him, she was still his mother and he still loved her even if she didn’t reciprocate. “You shut up!” James shouted. “Don’t be mean to my mom. You’re a big jerk.”
“Jamie, be quiet,” his mother hissed and pinched his arm.
James rubbed the inflamed skin his mother injured as he glared up at the old man.
The old man chuckled. “Well, at least you have some spunk. Young man, nothing in the world is free and one day you’ll have to pay the piper.”
“Sheldon, can’t we get out of here? I’m getting dizzy by the smell of cheap perfume. Haven’t I suffered enough by being in the same room with my husband’s paramour?” said the blonde standing by the old man’s side.
“In a second, Cassandra.” He focused his attention back to James’s mother. “And just so you know, if you come begging for money again, that free ride your son is getting will cease. I don’t care what’s in my son’s will. I will contest it and have it tied up in court for years and for no other reason than because I can. Good day to you.” The way he said it made it clear he didn’t mean it.
His father had left James a modest trust specifically to pay for James’ elementary through high school education at the prestigious private academy all the Alexanders had attended. That so-called gift left by his father turned out to be a living nightmare and James found out the meaning of “nothing in life being for free”. It wasn’t the last time he’d have a run-in with the old man. But he wished to God it had been.
“It was only one time,” James whispered, almost shaking at a memory he’d desperately tried to suppress. “I thought he’d done it because…because he wanted to humiliate me. He denied my existence in public so what better way to show me I meant absolutely nothing to him. I just wanted…” Remembering how he’d felt as those cold hands fondled and violated him, and how Sheldon had pushed James against the wall. James had struggled all while that old bastard laughed and told him nothing in the world was free.
“Just once? You got off easy then. Try once a week. And get this; he said he was doing it to make me a man. To make me strong. I actually made the mistake of telling my mother once, but she smacked me across the face and told me not to say those things out loud. Not because she thought I was lying, you see. She just didn’t want to hear it. I’m sure my father might have mentioned something to her in his drunken ramblings, but my mother has a way of blocking out all things that aren’t about her.”
He hadn’t realized David had suffered too, and probably more than James had. “I had no idea. I wish I would have known or…well, we weren’t exactly friends in school were we? We hated each other. You went out of your way to make me miserable, but I guess if I would have known—”
“You would have done nothing. There wasn’t anything you could do and me for that matter. And I hated him and you. He may not have acknowledged you in public but he kept tabs on you. According to him you did everything right, from those stellar grades to how well you did at sports. He loved to point out how well my bastard brother was doing. Even when you became this great success he told me I wasn’t half the man you are. I could do no right in his eyes, and you know what he said to me?”
It made James’ skin crawl to know the old man had had him monitored. “What?”
“On more than one occasion he told me he wished I was the illegitimate one and you were the heir. At least then he’d have a grandson to be proud of. And when he wasn’t abusing me with his dick, he was doing it with his fists because I wasn’t you! So yes I hated you. I hated everything about you. You didn’t have to deal with that asshole and you still managed to outshine me in his eyes.” David picked up the glass off the table and hurled it across the room. It shattered against the wall into tiny pieces. James was speechless but David wasn’t with finished his tirade.
“That’s why I made things difficult for you. But somehow you kept coming out on top. Except with Gillian. She was the one thing I got over you but that was thanks to her greed. But the joke was still on me, wasn’t it? I actually ended up falling for the greedy bitch. And let’s get one thing straight here: it was Gillian’s idea to see you. I didn’t send her. She did that on her own accord thinking you’d bail us out. I only went to you in a last ditch effort to save my marriage. Gillian was on my case about seeing you so I caved in and made an appointment with you. I didn’t have a business proposal as you pointed out because I never intended for you to save AlCore. I only wanted to give the appearance to Gillian that I was fighting for the company’s life.”
“I’m not sure I follow. If you didn’t want to save the company you could have lied to her about meeting me.”
“I didn’t want to leave it to chance for Gillian to find out I didn’t.”
“Then why did you get so upset with me when I told you no. And why don’t you want to save AlCore?”
“Because I still resent the hell out of you and I got angry. As for AlCore, I want to see everything that old bastard work for crumble to the ground. After that boating accident that left him incapacitated he had no choice but to give me the reins. I could have done a great job running the company, but even from a wheelchair he tormented to me to the point where I just said fuck it. I didn’t want any of it anymore. I’ve systematically set out to destroy that company and since I have the controlling shares, no one has been able to stop me.”
“Why didn’t you just prove him wrong and make AlCore a success?”
“Like I said, nothing would have been good enough for him. The highlight of my life now is visiting the old man’s room to share with him how far our stock has plummeted. I’m surprised he hasn’t had a heart attack over that. If I had my way, I’d stick him in a substandard nursing home but Gillian said it wasn’t good for appearances. So there you have it. And I’m not telling you any of this because I want your goddamn pity. I actually don’t know why the hell I told you that.”
“So you’re letting the company go bankrupt. I understand you may resent your grandfather but what about all the workers who’ll lose their jobs?”
David shrugged. “Isn’t it a sign of the times? Big companies go under, people lose their jobs.”
James wanted to point out how unfair it was to punish innocent people in order to fulfill a vendetta but he stopped himself. Hadn’t he done exactly that? Besides, David wasn’t in the right frame of mind to listen. Maybe he’d look into purchasing AlCore to salvage as many jobs as he could but for now, he allowed David his vengeance.
“What will you do now?”
David shrugged. “Maybe I’ll bum around Europe for a while and then buy a little hut in the Caribbean and set up a harem of island girls. I have a nice little egg nest stashed away in the Caymans Gillian doesn’t know about. That should set me up comfortably for a while. Maybe I’ll even start my own little business, if for nothing else to prove to myself I’m not the piece of shit the old man thinks I am.”
“If you need my help—”
“I need to do this on my own. Receiving help from you would defeat the purpose.”
“Fair enough, but even I’ve needed help building my empire. At the very least I can offer you advice.”
David opened his mouth but closed it with a nod.
James wasn’t sure what else he could say, so he made a move to leave. “Well, I’m glad we had this talk. I don’t know if we can ever be friends but hopefully we won’t stay enemies. Take care of yourself.”
James was almost out the door when David said, “Our father…he wasn’t a bad man. He was just incredibly weak. I think he would have acknowledged you had it not been for the old man. That’s why he provided for your education. It was his way of saying sorry.”
“Thank you for that,” James said softly before walking out the door and finally letting go of a past he’d misinterpreted.
Once James got into his car it was as if his own inner GPS led him to Noelle’s bakery. He had no right to be there and knew she didn’t want to see him but his soul called out to her. If only he could see her face he’d feel better.
He found himself parking in front of the bakery and heading inside. Like the last time he’d visited, the shop was quiet, but judging from the near empty case in the front, they’d been busy earlier.
A teenage girl was at the register while another girl stood behind the counter. “Welcome to Dot’s Bakery. How can I help you?”
“Uh, I was wondering if Noelle was in.”
The blonde behind the counter smiled. “Sure. I’ll go get her.” She went to the back and returned with Noelle who had flour stains on her apron and a bit of the white dust on her cheek.
Her lips thinned to a disapproving line the second she saw him. “I thought I told you—”
“Please, Noelle. I need to speak with you. Please.”
She hesitated for a moment. Perhaps she heard the desperation in his voice but after giving him a long stare down, she finally nodded. “Fine. Come to my office.”
She led him to the back through the bakery area, to a small office where a desk took up most of the space. The table was full of sketches of cakes and cupcakes and what looked like recipes.
Noelle closed the door and then folded her arms across her chest. “Well?”
James was so overcome with emotion he didn’t know where to start. He walked until they were only inches apart and the floodgates suddenly opened. James fell to his knees, brought his hands to his face and cried.