Page 90 of When We Were Young

“And that’s the biggest oven I’ve ever seen in my life. You could fit a person in there,” Layla says.

Ruthie chuckles. “Let’s hope we never have to test that theory.”

“Ruthie,” Tillie warns.

“What? The kid watches movies.”

“Not those movies anymore,” Tillie mutters. “After the verbal beatdown those boys got? Trust me, they learned.”

“There’s a story there that we’re definitely going to need to hear, but that sounds like one best told with some wine and popcorn,” Delaney says. “What I want to know is, what do you think of it?”

They’re all watching me.

I take a few seconds and slowly turn, so I get a good look at the entire room and the doorway that opens up into the bakery.

“I kind of love it,” I say with a grin. “It’s exactly right. I’m so excited to start some classes in here. If you guys are interested, I’d like to do a couple of practice sessions so you could be my students, if you’re willing.”

“Well, shit damn, is this a little bar?” Ruthie asks.

She’s wandered over to the back corner, where the custom doors Holden had Henry make open to a bar that’s about five feet long. He helped me stock it with some of the best local wines and craft beers. There may have been a bit of taste-testing, too.

“It is, thanks to Harrison working his magic and finding that there was an old liquor license unclaimed.”

Ruthie steps back and digs through her bedazzled purse. She pulls out a five-dollar bill and hands it to Layla, who is standing next to her with her hand out.

“That’s two dollars for now and three for future swears.”

“Swear jar,” Tillie says to me. “It’s pretty much fully funded by Ruthie, Henry, and Harrison.”

“Oh my gosh, I might have to get married again and have my bridal shower here.”

“Mommy! You’re already married.” Layla puts a hand on her hip and pops it out to the side.

“Oh, honey, I’m just kidding. I’m gonna be married to your daddy forever.”

“Aunt Delaney’s gonna end up getting married next anyway, I think. So, she can use it then. When Lizzie gets married to Uncle Holden, it’ll be her turn.”

The room goes silent. My heart pounds in my chest, and I swear, sweat starts running down my back.

“That’s all I got to say,” Layla adds.

Delaney, always sweet and able to read a room, tries to save me.

“Layla, Holden and Lizzie aren’t dating. They’re just trying to be friends.”

“What do you mean trying?” Layla asks, because she’s too smart for her own good.

Ugh.

“It means they were friends when they were younger. It was a long time ago, but... um, they had a fight, and now they’re trying to be friends again.”

I almost forgot Georgie was here until she spoke.

In fairness to me, she’s perched in a chair at the front corner of the room, taking everything in. I’m suddenly consumed with panic that maybe she doesn’t like it.

“Georgie, you hate it, don’t you? The whole idea is stupid. No, wait. I know it’s not stupid. But the décor is off, right?” I’m not sure why I’m rambling.

“Lizzie.” She rises from her chair and walks over to me. She grabs me and pulls me into a hug. “It is absolutely amazing. I don’t know how you pulled it off in the timeframe you did.”