You can put a trash can outside for them to throw items away. Keep it simple to start.”
She lifts her brows. “I suppose it could work. It wouldn’t cost too much to set up.”
I decide to leave it at that. I don’t want to push too hard. I place my order, including Strawberry Delight and Hot Lips cupcakes. Bolt will get a kick out of that name. “I’ll collect everything on my way out,” I tell my mom.
“How’s that gorgeous boss of yours?” she asks, her cheeks going a bright red.
“He’s good.” I try hard not to smile. I don’t want to say anything just yet. Not until I’m sure of where this is going.
“This is an awful lot of food for one person.” She gives me a quizzical look.
“I did promise Bolt baked goods when I got the job, and it’s Monday tomorrow.” I’m not technically lying.
She smiles and nods as she packs my stuff up. “See you in a few.” I think she knows something.
I head into the kitchen.
“Hey.” Simon waves. He cocks his head. “You look happy…damn.” He chuckles.
I laugh as well. “I’m not here to work. I love the Hot Lips idea.”
He looks a little sheepish. “I might have taken the credit for those. In my defense, your version was not sellable. I toned down the chili, added choc chips, and they sell really well. I need to come up with something new for next week.”
“I was going to try salted caramel,” I say. “Before I resigned, that is.”
His eyes brighten. “Sounds good. Tell me more?”
“Use a vanilla sponge with buttercream frosting.”
He frowns. “Where does the salted caramel come in?”
“Make your salted caramel and then add popcorn. I would bake the salted caramel popcorn inside the cupcake and then pile them up on top of the frosting as well as a final touch.”
His eyes widen, and his mouth opens in an ‘O’. “That sounds awesome. I’m not sure about the popcorn in the batter. It might burn.”
“You’ll need to do a few tester batches. See what works best and go with that.”
“I love it. You’re a genius at coming up with new ideas.”
“You seem pretty good at turning an idea into something sellable.” I wink at him. “Hot Lips…” I shake my head and laugh. I head down the hall, dreading this meeting.
“Oh,” my dad says when he sees me, “hi.” He’s standoffish, which makes me sad.
“Hi, Dad.” I pretend not to notice. I go over and kiss him on the cheek.
“What brings you here?” I can see he’s skeptical.
“A couple of things. Firstly, I needed some cupcakes and pastries…I miss the perks of the job. Then, I need my spare set of keys. I managed to drop mine down the drain.”
His eyes widen. “How did you get that right?” Then he chuckles. “Okay…this is you we’re talking about. Forget I asked.”
“Very funny, Dad.” We both laugh, and it feels good.
He digs around in one of the drawers and hands me my spare set. It has a cute Troll Doll keychain attached. I remember doing that so the key wouldn’t get lost. I make a mental note to have a new spare made.
I take a seat in the squeaky chair. “Have you had a chance to think on what we talked about?”
His whole stance tightens. “We’ve done perfectly well for years, Ashley. I don’t want you to keep on about this.”
“We never had competition before. We do now.”
“Why are you saying we? You no longer work here. You abandoned ship, remember?” His tone gets hard.
“I left because you couldn’t afford two pastry chefs, Dad.” I see him age as I say it. I almost regret it. Almost. Sometimes hearing the truth is difficult. Sometimes it’s impossible. I know deep down that if I don’t tell him these hard truths, he will keep burying his head, and Buns will die. Within the next few months – maybe sooner – there will be nothing left to save. “I didn’t want to leave, and yes, I will keep saying ‘we’ because I’m a Shaw. That’s my name on the sign too. I love this place. I grew up here. I studied to be a pastry chef because I love baking. I love you and Mom very much. I’m trying to help you. I’m not trying to criticize.”
“Doesn’t sound that way,” he mutters, but that harsh tone is gone.
“Well, I’m not. I know it’s hard to hear, and I know that change can be tough, but it has to happen,