Chapter 44: What Those Years Did To Me

Morning doesn't bring much relief.

I wake with a knot in my stomach. I don't think I can face the bakery today - and frankly, I know it's unfair to ask Jilly or Mama Pat or Karen to, either. After taking several deep breaths, I turn on my phone. There are at least a dozen new messages waiting for me, but I ignore them. I call my employees and let them know that the shop will be closed today. That gives me a little bit of relief, at least.

Right after I've hung up with Karen, my phone rings. My stomach seizes, but then I see that it's only Dante. Relief floods me as I answer.

"Ash? Are you all right?" he says immediately. "My publicist told me the news broke."

"Oh, I - I'm fine," I say. Still a little stunned, but holding together. "Yeah, I guess it did."

"I tried calling you multiple times last night. They sent me to Vegas for a press thing, or I would have come over to make sure you were all right." There's a hint of darkness in his tone. "You are all right, aren't you?"

Just he