was just the opportunity I needed if I wanted to take the makeup line to the next level, but it was one I couldn’t take. Hayden didn’t know the damage it could cause to her magazine. Her brand.
“Baker.” A gentle hand touched my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
At the look of worry on her face, I pulled myself together and turned around. “Exposure like that wouldn’t be great for me.”
Understanding flashed across her features, though no one could truly comprehend how it felt. I was trying to move forward while being held back by the past.
Shoving down my disappointment, I tried to brighten. “Trish might be a better candidate.”
Hayden nodded, though her concern was evident. “Maybe so.” When she looked at me, I was so grateful to have her as a mentor and a friend. “Baker, don’t shut the door on everything. Right now may not be the time, but things could be different down the road.”
I doubted it, but appreciated her sentiment. “I’ll try.”
She gave me a satisfied look. “Let’s get ready for our guests.”
* * *
Halfway to her office, Tracey, the receptionist, caught up. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Hayden, but there’s a delivery here for Baker.”
Me? I hadn’t ordered anything.
“Meet me in my office,” Hayden said before she hustled off.
I was nauseous by the time we reached the front desk. A spray of wildflowers in a glass vase sat atop.
“Those are for you.”
“They are?”
I approached the flowers with caution, like they were a trick of some sort. A card was nestled in the bouquet. Tentatively, I reached for it.
We agreed to lunch, but I was hoping we could have dinner too.
Holt. When had he had time to do this?
Balancing the vase in one hand, I pressed my phone to my ear.
“Easy.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“Does that mean we’re on?”
“We’re on. But lunch might be off.”
“Oh?” His disappointment tugged on my heart.
“Hayden wants me to shadow her this morning, which means it could turn into all day.”
“We can do it tomorrow then.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I mean, I want to try today, but—”
“You’re a busy woman. Just let me know.”
“The flowers. They made my day.” I set them on my desk and admired the bright colors. Usually, I’d be in bed on this day, reliving the pain. Holt had made it easier to bear and didn’t even know it.
“I’m glad. I’ll either see you at lunch or see you at home.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Holt
Can you do 2?
The text turned around my sour mood in an instant. It was after noon. I’d already resigned myself to the fact we wouldn’t get to do lunch. Now that it was on, I whistled as I changed the battery on a Ford Taurus.
I’d spent the night with Baker—I spent every night with her. Shared coffee this morning, walked her to the train. It still wasn’t enough. I wanted lunch with her and had no logical reason why. Although if I was honest with myself, it did make sense. Baker had shown more loyalty and genuine concern for me than I’d ever experienced before outside my family. Even Celia hadn’t ever connected with me so instinctively. I never let her see the real me, but I’d loved her superficially. And she allowed that. Whereas Baker demanded more of me, and gave more to me as well.
Meet me at the new garage. I’ll bring the food.
That earned me a thumbs up emoji followed by a big smiley face. I checked the time again. Only three minutes had passed. Ninety more to go.
* * *
“Holt?”
Baker’s voice echoed through the empty space.
“Up here.” I leaned over the loft railing. “I’m coming down.”
I thundered down the stairs, hustling until I reached her.
“What were you doing?”
I lifted her onto the reception desk, placing her on my jacket.
“Forgot there are no chairs.” I offered her a taco.
She scooted over, and I perched beside her.
“What are we doing here?”
“It’s a quiet place to eat.” I popped a nacho in my mouth.
“And . . .”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
She set her half-eaten taco on the wrapper in her lap. “What? The garage?”
“Yeah. I bought this place on an impulse. Which was stupid. I don’t know if I can get any business, let alone run it.”
“I’m not sure it was an impulse.”
I offered her a nacho. “I can afford it. That’s not the problem.”
“Then what is?” She licked a string of cheese from her finger.
“I don’t know shit about running a business.”
“Lots of people don’t when they start one.” She