Chapter 25

 

“Who wants blueberries in their pancakes?” Mason twirls the spatula in his hand with enthusiasm, trying to show off his skills in the kitchen.

“Mmm…I do.” Alexa responds with a giggle after gulping down a few swallows of orange juice.

“Yeah,” I agree. “Count me in for blueberries.”

“Coming right up, girls.” Mason points the spatula at me and winks.

It’s been a few days and Alexa is up and mostly back to normal now. She’s feeling much better and hardly needs the assistance from her pain medications anymore. Being the free spirit that she is, Alexa is itching to get back behind the counter and start baking again. Mason and I have the dirty job of having to explain to her that although she will be able to bake again in the future, she will need quite some time to get back to the rock star level that she was before her accident. But it’s going to be okay because I’ve learned a lot since I started working there and as long as she tells me what to do, I can handle the baking for now.

“I am so excited for these pancakes,” I tell Alexa. I toss my new boyfriend a playful smile. “Alexa has told me your breakfast cooking skills are world renowned.”

Mason casts a little bow. “Thank you, ma’am,” he says in his best Texas southern drawl. “I like to think my craft is one for the record books.”

I smile, thoroughly enjoying the new playfulness in Mason’s personality. Ever since the night we made love, and several times since then, his zest for life is really starting to shine through. I’m incredibly happy that he’s no longer that broody silent guy, and it’s really infectious to see our relationship blossom. Having Alexa here with her regular bubbly personality just makes everything even better.

I grab a strawberry from one of the trays Mason has set on the table, and dunk it in the sugar bowl next to it. Right now, life is going wonderfully at the lake house and I want to pinch myself because I feel like I’m living in a dream.

It’s like coming full circle. Only a few months ago I was crying and panicking, thinking about having to live in my car. Now, I am with Mason, I have a steady job and friends who care about me and my wellbeing. Speaking of work, I know Alexa wasn’t going to be able to sit still at the lake house for many more days.

She’s just the kind of person that always has to be busy doing something. As if reading my mind, she brings it up again as we sit beside each other at Mason’s kitchen island.

“I can’t wait to get back to the bakery,” she says and pops a blueberry into her mouth. “I really miss it over there…and all my regular customers too.”

She looks pensive and sad for a brief moment and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. It was terrible luck for her to have that fall and break her wrist, especially because of the field she’s in. I know how important baking is to her, and I want to ensure I do everything I can to get her back to a regular routine as soon as possible. I’m her employee, after all, and I feel like it’s my duty to do everything I can for her.

“I know those cupcakes are calling your name,” I tell her over a mouthful of bacon. “Just don’t push yourself too hard yet. You don’t want to overdo it. I can handle things until you’re back.”

Alexa leans back, reclining against the barstool. “I’m so bored though.”

“Hey now,” Mason says and points the spatula directly at her. “I resent that. Are you saying my company isn’t good enough for you?”

Alexa and I laugh because we know Mason is only teasing her, all in good fun.

“No, of course you know I absolutely love it out here big cousin,” she retorts. “I just really miss my bakery. It’s like…I don’t know…my home away from home.”

I pat Alexa’s back affectionately because I understand where she’s coming from. She wants to be able to get back to what she knows, what’s familiar to her. She’s passionate about baking and I hate to see her stagnant and in limbo while her wrist heals.

“Just give it some time,” I say in an effort to persuade her to exercise the beauty of patience. “Those mixing bowls are calling your name. Just let your wrist heal and you won’t have to worry.”

Alexa gives me a smile as her eyes beam radiantly. “Thanks, Livi, you are such a great friend. I don’t know what I’d do without you…like…honestly.”

I’m humbled by her compliment and lean in to give her a hug. “You’ve been so kind to me, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help you heal faster.”

I sincerely mean it, because I consider Alexa to be a best friend to me. She came to my rescue when I needed a person to lean on the most, and I feel like I’ll forever be needing to return the favors for that reason.

Mason is finished sizzling the blueberry pancakes on the skillet. “Okay ladies,” he says and fancily flips the pancakes into the air and back down again like a true professional. “Hold out your plates if you want some of these delicious pancakes.”

Alexa and I both do as instructed. I point to Mason and the pancakes. “Hey…it might not be a bad idea to hire him at the bakery too,” I joke.

Alexa laughs. “I’m game for anyone who is willing to help a poor girl in distress.”

“Yeah…” Mason trails off with mock regret. “I’m afraid that my baking skills are pretty limited unless you count these famous pancakes.”

“Maybe we will have to start offering breakfast too,” Alexa teases.

I take a bite of the fluffy pancakes and immediately feel like a loser because I’ve never made pancakes this good. Cooking abilities must run in Mason and Alexa’s family.

“Wow,” I mumble with a mouthful. “I think the breakfast idea is worth the brainstorm.”

“These are pretty damn good,” Alexa agrees with a nod.

“Well anyway,” I say getting back to the pressing matter at hand. “We are here for you no matter what you need, and that includes keeping the Sweet’s Bakery doors open for business as usual.”

Alexa looks touched by the gesture. “Thanks, you guys, seriously. You are the best. I don’t know how I could get through this without you.”

I squeeze her hand. “Luckily, you don’t have to.”

I glance up at Mason and we exchange a flirty look. I blush and flick my eyes away, but the private moment makes my heart flip and do twirls of joy. Apparently, Alexa notices because she pauses mid bite with her fork hanging in the air with her free, uninjured hand.

I blush again. “What?” I ask in a high, squeaky voice but I get sweaty, knowing what is coming.

Mason clears his throat and scratches his temple. He’s wearing a mischievous smile as he leans against the kitchen island. Alexa’s eyes light up like a Christmas tree. She knows where this is heading. “Wait…” she trails off with a giddy smirk. “Is there something going on between you two that I failed to miss before?”

Mason and I grin at each other like lovestruck puppies. “Maybe…” Mason chuckles.

I’m bashful but excited. “We are kind of…um…dating. I mean, right?” I look at Mason for confirmation.

He grins. “Right.”

Alexa squeals and bounces up and down in her seat. “Are you kidding? This isn’t a joke, right?”

Mason takes my hand from across the island and gently squeezes. “We aren’t kidding.” The way he is gazing into my eyes makes me forget any problem I ever had and melts my soul into a puddle.

“I can’t believe it!” Alexa looks thrilled. She leans in and reaches for me. “Come here girl, bring it on in for a hug.”

I chuckle sheepishly and embrace my friend. “Thanks. It’s pretty new still, but, we are happy. I glance up at Mason. “Right?”

“Absolutely. I know I am.” A twinkle of desire flames through his eyes.

Alexa looks smug and self-satisfied. “I knew it.”

I burst into laughter. “Knew what?”

She grins at me. “That you two would be perfect for each other,” she exclaims. “What did I tell you?”

I shrug and glance at Mason. “She’s not wrong.”

“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust the universe,” Alexa reveals. “Life is funny like that. It puts you where you need to be, to achieve the highest level of happiness you could ever imagine.” She turns to give me a look of instilled wisdom. “Even if at first you have no idea what direction you are running toward and don’t see the finish line yet.”

I smile because I agree one-hundred percent with my friend’s advice. I might have come here originally for my grandma, but now that I have so much love around me, I know that in the end, I’m on the right path.

Mason approaches me and wraps his arms around me, resting his chin on top of my head. In this moment, all is right with the world. I am right where I’m supposed to be, right where the universe wants me, and I’m finally content.

 

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