Nicole’s gaze shot to Macy. “You didn’t think to mention this?”
She waved away Nicole’s question. “Because I knew you’d make fantastic partners, but you two needed to meet first. Aunt Lulu’s protective of her niche, but trust me, this is a match made in heaven.” She nudged her aunt again. “Tell her you’re not threatening her.”
Aunt Lulu let out a loud laugh. “Of course not. I had to make sure she could handle me,” she said, an apology in her voice. “I am sweet, I am sarcastic, I am woman.”
Nicole shook her head in confusion.
Aunt Lulu patted her hand. “I was testing you, doll. You passed. You didn’t hit me, you didn’t shriek like a banshee, and you didn’t run. We’ll get along just fine.” The other woman braced her arms back on the table. “Now, ready to talk turkey? Or cakes, pastries, and pies, as the case may be?”
Nicole glanced at Macy. “Are you sure she’s not insane?”
Macy shrugged. “No more than anyone else in my family.”
Nicole couldn’t say she felt any better about that. She thought she’d left true insanity behind.
A few minutes later, she reevaluated her feelings on the woman and her mental state. Aunt Lulu had pulled a fully thought-out proposal from her oversized purse. Not only did she have a location for a bake shop in mind, but she also had a business plan. Apparently, she’d been working on the idea ever since she received a settlement from an acc
ident of sorts at a local supermarket. But at her age, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go into business alone, so she’d been debating on what to do.
Nicole, she’d decided, was fate, or she would be once Macy tasted Nicole’s baked goods. She’d promised to bring some items by as well.
They brainstormed for more than an hour. Nicole added her thoughts, and Aunt Lulu—she insisted Nicole call her that too—promised she’d incorporate everything they’d discussed into a more thorough plan. She’d already been scoping out the old bakery Sam had mentioned to her the other day. She suggested that they each put in the same amount of money and approach the bank for a startup loan to cover other costs, and get started.
Everything about Aunt Lulu’s plan was professional, and since the Donovan family had been in business for years, Nicole had even more confidence in Aunt Lulu and her abilities. Still, Nicole would ask around town about her reputation . . . just in case.
During their talk, Nicole’s cell phone rang twice. Tyler’s name showed up both times. She winced, knowing she’d have to call him later today and make it clear she wasn’t going to change her mind about ending their engagement. She was not looking forward to the conversation.
After wrapping things up with Aunt Lulu, Nicole headed to the grocery store for a major food shopping excursion. Once she arrived back at the apartment and started to put away all her staples and other items, Nicole stepped back and eyed the place in dismay. The cabinets were full and she’d had to stack things on the counters, cutting into her working space, what little there’d been to start with.
As much as she liked her apartment over Joe’s, loved that it was in the center of town and had a month-to-month lease, the tiny space was slowly driving her insane. And she hadn’t been there long. Her old apartment in Manhattan hadn’t been huge, but it did provide room when she dove into baking. Here she hadn’t even been able to unpack her beloved mixer and other countertop appliances.
She’d thought she could make do until she came to a decision about whether she’d get a job or attempt to open her own bake shop, but she was wrong.
She’d need to make another move, and soon. She needed the newspaper to see what was available. Grabbing her bag, she opened the door—and came face-to-face with a vase full of flowers. “What the . . . ?”
“Umm . . . Surprise?” Sam moved the vase away from his face. “You didn’t give me a chance to knock.”
She looked him over, taking in his weekend appearance. A worn pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, and stubble gave him a scruffy, appealing look, and pleasure rushed through her at the sight of him.
“Hi.” She smiled, and he grinned at her in return.
“I obviously caught you leaving.”
She nodded. “I was going to pick up a newspaper and see what houses or condos are available to rent. I thought this place was cute when I first found it, but it’s too small. I can’t bake anything substantial here and I’m feeling claustrophobic.”
“I can understand.”
She glanced at his full hands, realizing how rude she was being, and stepped aside. “I’m sorry. Come on in.”
He held out the flowers, and she felt herself blush as she accepted them. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
His gaze met hers.
He didn’t say so are you, but the way he looked at her, devouring her with his eyes, as if he could see her inside and out, made her feel all kinds of special.
She set the bouquet down on her counter, where she’d have a good view of them from wherever she sat in the apartment, looked at him, and grinned.
“What’s that smile for?” he asked.