Wrong Number

by Laura Brown

  She pushed herself to a standing position.

  “But I live here.” Until I found a new place.

  Mom made a noncommittal noise and left me alone. Once the muffins were done, I headed back to my room, hoping now I could finally catch a few hours of sleep.

  No such luck. I stared at the ceiling, unable to even keep my eyes closed. There was one thing left to try, something I had been fighting and couldn’t fight any longer.

  I rolled to my side and unplugged my phone. In my text message app, I opened Jake’s dormant thread. My heart warmed at his words. I scrolled through, all the way back to when he was Dick Guy and I was Wrong Number. How even then we were…us. The initial connection had only grown and strengthened over time. From text to in person, to bringing fresh baked goods out to the front and stealing a kiss. I missed him.

  I missed the bakery.

  The thought of going through everything to establish my own place had once filled me with excitement. Erik’s binders, the plan, the decorations, the paint chips. It held intrigue and promise. It didn’t anymore. When I closed my eyes and envisioned my dream bakery, I saw Nell’s kitchen, the pink aprons, her awards on the walls. I wanted my rugelach next to hers, I wanted the people back home to order from Nell’s and taste my food. I had found my place, if they allowed me back.

  I had found my person, if he allowed me back.

  I needed to go home.

  A sense of peace finally washed over me and my eyelids grew heavy. I fell asleep, clutching my phone, dreaming of being wrapped back up in Jake’s arms.

  *

  When my eyes opened again, the sun shone through the curtain, warming up the room. I rubbed my eyes, amazed I missed a sunrise finally. I remembered the night before, remembered my thoughts before falling asleep, and my heart squeezed. In the morning light, my answer remained the same.

  Home had been decided. And it wasn’t in New York. It wasn’t necessarily in Massachusetts either. Home was with Jake, and I’d been a fool to risk losing him.

  I threw the covers off and tossed my belongings into my bag. After a quick shower, I headed downstairs, finding my parents eating breakfast—muffins, of course. I put down my bag and got some coffee.

  “Did you finally listen to your heart?” my mother asked far too confidentially.

  I sat and snagged a muffin, tearing off a small piece to pop in my mouth. “Yes.”

  Dad laughed into his coffee.

  “And?”

  Both my parents smiled and any lingering doubt over my decision, any worry over disappointing them, vanished. “Shouldn’t you be less happy to have your daughter move out of state?”

  “When we needed you, you got here in only a few hours. It’s not so bad,” Dad said.

  “You’re happy, Avery; happier than I have ever seen you. Yes, that makes us happy.” Mom poured some cream into my coffee without me having to ask.

  “The boy or the job?” Dad asked.

  “Both, but if I had to choose one? Jake.” I got a thrill out of saying that, out of somehow claiming him. “If he’ll take me back.”

  “One fight only damages a weak relationship.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Once food and coffee were finished, I got behind the wheel. But I had to do one more thing first. I drove twenty minutes out of my way, to the cemetery I should have visited more often. My shoes crunched over the frozen grass as I made my way to Erik’s gravestone. I hadn’t been here since it was unveiled.

  Hands deep in my pockets, I looked down at his final resting place.

  “Hey, Erik.” I shuffled my foot and glanced at the sky, at the pretty shades of orange the rising sun created. “I know we had our plans set. I know we were growing apart as lovers but were going to remain business partners. Your death changed everything. It made me realize this was my dream because of you, because we would be a team.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek and I studied the etching of his name on the plaque.

  “I can’t do this alone. And I don’t want to. I found my home, my bakery, and…my heart. You knew things weren’t great between us. I was moving out. There’s someone new in my life that I love with all my heart. I’m sorry. I can’t carry on your dream anymore. But your dream, the rugelach, led me to mine. Thank you. Not for dying, never for dying, but for paving the way for me.”

  I sucked in some air, waiting to feel like crap. It didn’t happen. My shoulders felt lighter, and the sun cast a glow on the area. “Your recipes will live again. If I can fix my abrupt departure, I’ll share them with Nell. You won’t be forgotten.”

  I bent and ran my hand along the marble, before turning and heading back to my car. Nerves shook me but the good kind. I felt strong, like I’d finally found my future, where I belonged.

  And I had almost four hours to think of all the things that could go wrong. I pushed those thoughts aside, turned on the radio in hopes of drowning them out, and headed for the highway.

  Time to go home.

  *

  Hours later, I parked across the street from the bakery, needing to confirm I was doing the right thing. The lighted overhead sign broke up the darkening sky, interior lights inviting passersby in, with a dwindling selection but still goods to be had. My guilt over leaving eased at seeing things looking normal, no large gaps in production due to my absence. I let out a breath and leaned against the headrest, beyond happy to see things appeared well.

  With any luck, I hadn’t screwed myself over. Because I wanted to get back into that kitchen and bake more cupcakes and anything they needed. I wanted to pour myself into the business and help in any way I could. I needed to talk with Jake, but first, I needed to fix my mistakes. I picked up my phone and sent a text.

  Me: I’m back. Can I visit?

  I shifted, realizing I hadn’t even stretched my legs since I left the cemetery. I was about to walk around the bakery when I got my response.

  Hannah: Mom’s back. I’m with her.

  An unsettled nerve twitched through me. Music time, and I had to face it with both of them.

  Me: Is it okay for me to come by?

  Hannah: Yes.

  Five minutes later, I pulled over to the side of the road after being so nervous I nearly missed the house. I got out of the car and shook out my legs, glancing at the dark clouds covering the stars. They shifted and I could stand there for hours, waiting for the stars to appear. Or I could put on my big girl panties and get this over with. I forced my legs into action.

  Hannah opened the door before I could knock and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, accepting the comfort. Bonus, it had to be a good sign. She said something, but with the pounding in my head, I couldn’t make it out. I pulled back. “What?”

  Hannah smiled. “I said it’s so good to see you. How’s your mom?”

  “She’s good, complaining I baked too much.”

  “Spoken like a true baker.” Nell appeared behind her daughter. She looked lighter and happier than before.

  “You had a good vacation?” I asked as Hannah closed the door.

  “I did, but funny thing. I came home to find two of my bakers missing.”

  Some of my hope faltered. “I’m so sorry about that. Not for leaving, my mother was in the emergency room, but for not communicating afterward.”

  “We inferred a bit from Jake,” Hannah said.

  “I know and that’s wrong. I just…” I mentally kicked myself. An almost four-hour drive and I couldn’t have come up with something better to say?

  “Love makes us all do uncharacteristic things and freak out, yes?” Nell gave me a mother’s glare.

  I steadied my shoulders. “Yes, it does.”

  The two women exchanged a meaningful smile.

  “Are you back or do I need to advertise for a new cupcake baker?”

  “I’m back. If you’ll have me.”

  “We never wanted to lose you. And not for nothing, but not many see my rugelach recipe, and fewer are able to use i
t. Although Hannah did save an apple pie one of yours and you must share it with us.”

  She smiled.

  I matched it. “Of course, but, if you don’t mind, I’d really like to see Jake. Our last conversation didn’t exactly go well.”

  “You haven’t seen him?” Hannah asked.

  I looked back and forth between them. “No, I haven’t.”

  “Oh dear, he left to get you,” Nell said.

  Hannah picked up her phone and made a call. She moved off so I couldn’t make out what she said, but I bet she had called Jake. Before I could decipher anything, Nell captured my attention.

  “Can I switch from boss to mother for a minute?”

  I nodded, afraid to speak.

  “My son has been through a lot. I know you care. I see it so clearly in your actions, but I still need to make sure of his happiness.”

  Hannah got off the phone and waited for my answer.

  I knew this family. They protected each other, supported one another, and were fierce in their love. Which also meant I knew what they wanted to hear.

  “I would do anything for him. I would have taken his place in that fire if I could.” So help me, it was the truth.

  “That’ll do.”

  “Want something to eat?” Hannah asked. “I told Jake to come back here and then pretended I couldn’t hear him.”

  She grinned.

  I laughed, my shoulders feeling lighter. “That’s awful.”

  She shrugged. “You could always call him.”

  I thought about it, but Nell grabbed my hand. “Don’t even think about it. If he has a problem, you can blame me.”

  Calling was never our game. Texting was. I turned to Hannah. “Did he mention how far away he was?”

  “About an hour, why?”

  An hour. If I moved fast, I could make this idea work.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Jake

  The drive to New York was fucking long. Just trees and road and car, so many cars I was ready to lose my mind. The only things that kept me heading forward were thoughts of Avery. I had to get to her. I had to make things right.

  I arrived in a suburban area. Trees and greenery, houses more spaced out than where I lived. It was nice. Homey. A perfect place for a pastry shop. I certainly could see the appeal.

  I turned down a cul-de-sac filled with Colonials and more trees and stopped at the address Avery had on file. No sign of her car, but that could mean anything. For all I knew, it was in the garage.

  I parked and then swung my legs over the side, stretching them. I wasn’t used to long rides and the short shifting I did wouldn’t be enough. As it was, my knee didn’t want to elongate all the way. I worked it just enough so I could move, even if I’d be limping more than usual.

  When my leg no longer buckled, I made my way up the steps, leaning heavily on the railing, and rang the doorbell. And waited. The cold wind brushed against my cheeks and hands, and I continued to shift back and forth on my legs.

  The door finally opened, revealing a woman around Mom’s age with brown shoulder-length hair. An older version of Avery. “Umm, Mrs. Bloom?”

  Curiosity morphed into suspicion. “Yes?”

  “I’m Jake Ruben. Is Avery here?”

  A man roughly the same age laughed from inside. “Come in.”

  Avery’s mom eyed me up and down as I limped in.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “I have a bad leg.”

  “Oh dear, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  I waved her off. “Not a problem.”

  We reached the kitchen and sat. I noticed baked goods. A lot of baked goods. Muffins, cupcakes, and cookies.

  “Avery’s been busy.” I chuckled. Just being around her food filled that primal need to be near her.

  “That she has been. Why are you here?”

  I cleared my throat and remembered my manners. “I was sorry to hear you were in the hospital. I hope things are better, Mrs. Bloom.”

  “Lois. And thank you. Now answer my question.”

  “I’m here to see Avery.”

  “Why?” Mr. Bloom asked.

  A million potential answers rolled to mind, but in the end, only one mattered. “Because I love her.”

  Lois clapped and leaned toward her husband. “I knew it. They’ll make lovely grandchildren, won’t they?”

  I did my best not to react, remembering things Avery had said about her mother. “Can I see her?”

  “I’m sorry. She already left.”

  Panic made my leg twitch. “Where?”

  Lois smiled. “To see you. Can’t blame a mother for wanting to investigate her future son-in-law.”

  “Lois, give the boy a break.” Mr. Bloom held out his hand. “Marvin.”

  I shook his hand. “How long ago did she leave? Maybe I can catch her.”

  “She’s got a few hours head start. You’ll have to head home to see her. But first, let me get you some food for the road. I certainly have enough. That girl doesn’t sleep.” She paused and eyed me. “Help her with that. Too much going on up here.” She tapped her head.

  I tried not to grin. “I know. She needs to relax at night in order to sleep.”

  Lois said, “Good,” the same time Marvin mumbled, “Did we really need to know that?”

  Ten minutes later, I made it out the door, with more food than I could eat on the ride home and a bottle of water. I also had to promise to visit with Avery sometime soon.

  *

  Thanks to Hannah’s call, I went straight to Mom’s place, when all I wanted to do was hunt down Avery. I parked and rubbed my leg, reaching for my phone as I worked a few of the kinks out. I had a text message from an unknown number waiting for me. I figured it was spam but had to check it anyway.

  Unknown: I’m new to this area. You wouldn’t happen to know where to meet people?

  I looked around at the cars on the street, but the only one I recognized was Hannah’s. The words were too familiar to be coincidence and I decided to see what I could figure out.

  Me: Depends on who you’re hoping to meet.

  Unknown: Well, this might sound strange, but I have a fantasy of a guy who can cut hair really well.

  I relaxed for possibly the first time in a week.

  Me: Where are you?

  Unknown: That’s a little forward now, isn’t it?

  Me: Don’t fantasies usually come with being forward?

  Unknown: That’s true, I guess. The night sure is beautiful. No buildings around, just trees and the best view of the night sky. But cold. Think you could warm me up?

  Night. Cold. She was outside? No buildings… I glanced around, trying to figure out where she could be. Then I remembered. The path. That walk we took while Hannah sat in the car. Where I asked her out on that first date. I started my car.

  Me: I think I know the place. What do you like?

  I got back on the road, ignoring my phone when it signaled a new text message. And as long as that three-hour drive back from New York had been, this five-minute trip felt like a million, even as I crossed the last few miles between us.

  I barely had the car stopped before I grabbed my phone.

  Unknown: Oh, so many things. Where should I start?

  Only one other car was parked in the little area. Avery’s. I hit the trail, finding a shadow sitting on a bench, illuminated by a cell phone. Moonlight danced across her short hair, disheveled in a “it’s been a long day” kind of way and sexier than it ever had been.

  Me: Turn around.

  She did, a sheepish smile on her face. “Dumb idea, huh?”

  I shook my head and crossed the dirt toward her. “Not dumb at all. I went all the way to New York, and you weren’t there.”

  “Well, I came all the way back here, and you weren’t here.”

  “Why?” I had to know. Our last conversation I said a lot. She said very little.

  Avery rubbed her hands together. “Because this is home.”

 
; “The woods?”

  She stepped into me, eyes shining. “No. This town. The bakery. You.”

  I captured her lips, bringing her body flush to keep her warm, and because I could never get enough of her. Her hands went to my hair and she wiggled against me, pressing those breasts I knew so well against my chest.

  I broke the kiss. “I love you.”

  I didn’t know if she would run or downplay it. She was right on the phone. It hadn’t been that long, but I didn’t care. I knew what I felt.

  She brushed a lock of hair off my forehead. “I thought I knew what I wanted when I came here. I didn’t. You were what I wanted. Here I was, ignoring my mother’s pleas to find someone, and I did exactly that. I love you, Jake.”

  The last broken part of my heart fused together. I kissed her again, wanting to wrap her inside my jacket and keep her warm, but more than happy to stand out here with her.

  “What about your bakery?”

  “Turns out, that was Erik’s dream, not mine. What I really wanted was to be part of a family-run place that cares about baking as much as I do.”

  “So you’re staying?”

  She nodded. “Is that okay?”

  I pressed my forehead against hers. “That’s the best thing, the only thing I need to complete my life.”

  Her hand stroked down my cheek. “Thank you for that inappropriate text message.”

  I laughed and tugged her hips to mine. “Ever think it would lead to this?”

  Her eyes shined as she looked up at me, and in their depths, I saw my future. “Not even in my wildest fantasies.”

  “Speaking of fantasies, you’re coming home with me.”

  The End

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