Page 84 of Frosted Fakes

"What look?"

"The look of someone who's found something worth keeping." Milly reached across the table and took Elliott's hand. "I'm happy for you, love. Really. You deserve this."

Elliott's throat went tight. "Milly…"

"No, let me say this." Milly squeezed her hand. "You've spent so long building walls. Keeping everyone out. Telling yourself you're better off alone." Her voice softened. "But humans aren't meant to be islands, Elliott. I told you. We're meant to connect. To love. To let ourselves be loved in return."

"I know." Elliott's voice came out rough. "I'm trying."

"I can see that." Milly smiled. "Don't let fear get in the way. Don't let pride convince you that needing someone makes you weak."

"I won't," Elliott said quietly, her heart beating in her throat, feeling warm and cold all at the same time.

"Promise me."

She took a breath. "I promise."

Milly nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, tell me about the cookbook. When do I get to see the finished article?"

The conversation shifted to easier topics, but Elliott's mind kept circling back to Milly's words. Don't let fear get in the way.

She was afraid. Terrified, actually, of how much she'd come to feel for Julia. Of needing someone this much. Of having something to lose.

She saw a flash of Julia through the open door to the shop.

But… maybe that was okay. Maybe fear was just the price of admission for something worth having.

After Milly left, promising to visit again soon, Elliott found herself alone in the kitchen while Julia handled the afternoon customers. She was supposed to be working on bread dough, or perhaps another set of photos for the yuzu cake, the first ones weren’t quite yellow enough, but mostly she was staring at her hands and thinking too hard.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Jamie leaned in the doorway, wearing his usual easy grin.

"They're worth more than a penny," Elliott scoffed.

"Fine. Fifty pence. Final offer." He came in and leaned against the table. "You look suspiciously like someone who's having an existential crisis. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Elliott picked up her whisk, set it down again. "Milly came by."

"I heard. How is she?"

"Good. Better." Elliott paused. "She gave me advice. About Julia."

"Advice is Milly's specialty." Jamie studied her. "What kind of advice?"

"The kind where she tells me not to sabotage my own happiness."

"Solid advice." Jamie grinned. "You have a habit of that, you know."

"So I've been told." Elliott crossed her arms, she really didn’t want to talk about it. "Speaking of sabotage, how’re things with Gabby?"

Jamie's grin faded. "She's been texting me. Constantly. I think she wants to have dinner again."

"Do you want to have dinner with her?"

"I want to hide under my restaurant until she forgets I exist." Jamie ran a hand through his hair. "She's terrifying, Elliott. Gorgeous, yes, but terrifying."

"Then tell her you're not interested."