Page 22 of Win a Date with a Baker

The older gentleman removes his baseball cap and scrubs a hand over his silver hair.

The man notices me for the first time.

“Oh.” He points awkwardly between us. “I didn’t realize...”

“It’s okay,” Tyler says. “What’s going on?”

Frank lets out a long breath. “I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

“That bad?”

“My daughter’s getting married next Saturday.”

Tyler nods slowly. “I know.”

“She asked me to order a cake months ago, and… I forgot.”

Silence.

Frank winces. “I know.”

Tyler blinks once. “...Frank.”

“I know. But I’ve had the flowers handled for six months.”

“You own a flower shop.”

“I know.”

“The one three doors down.”

“I know.”

“And somehow...”

“I know!”

I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing.

Frank throws both hands into the air. “I’ve been so busy helping everyone else’s weddings that I completely forgot my own daughter’s.”

His face crumples just enough to make my heart ache.

“I’ve called every bakery in town.”

It’s impossible to miss Tyler’s frown. “And?”

“They can do it. For triple the price.”

Tyler let’s out a low whistle. “Ouch.”

“They all say it’s because it’s last minute.”

“They’re not wrong.”

“I can’t afford it.” The words come out quietly. “I’ve already stretched the budget everything else.”

Tyler rubs the back of his neck. “I wish I could help.”