Amelia
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me, Amy,” Stella grumbles jokingly as she lifts a chair and flips it over to set the seat on top of the table. “You’re the best pastry chef I’ve ever had.”
I giggle as I push the mop under the table to clean the last section of the café. “It’s not like you’ll never see me again. I’ll only be an hour away. Besides, you can come visit me. Blossom Ridge is gorgeous. You’ll never want to leave.”
Stella scrunches up her face. “I can’t see myself fitting in at Blossom Ridge.”
I wink. “Never say never.”
Stella rolls her eyes as she chuckles. “How long have we known each other?”
I grin and proceed to answer the question unnecessarily. “Well, let’s see… We met at Surrender five years ago, and I’ve been working for you three years.”
Stella narrows her gaze, though she’s also smiling. “And in all that time, have I ever shown a tendency toward being a Little?”
I shrug. “I’m not exactly a Little myself.”
“You’ve at least dabbled.”
“Alone. In my apartment. Not at the club. Not in public. Not at work. A handful of times.” I shudder. “I’m not intending to pursue a new kink just because I took the job as head chef at Blossom Ridge.”
“I know. I know. I hate losing you. And I’m going to miss you like crazy. But it’s a great career move for you. You’re also perfect for the job because you’ve at least spent enough time in the kink community to not be judgmental. Leah and Craig are lucky to have you.”
Stella moves in and gives me a huge hug.
I hug her back. “I’m going to miss you and this café,” I mumble.
She holds my shoulders and meets my gaze. “Try to…live a little, will you? You’ve been alone for too long. Let someone into your heart. You’re such a kind soul. I hate that you’ve been single for so long. Time to start over.”
I shudder at the thought. “We’ll see.”
Stella lifts a brow. “I know that asshole Brock did a number on you, but it’s been a long time and he’s gone now. He’s not even in the state anymore. Not everyone is a shithole like him. There’s a man out there for you. Maybe you’ll meet him at Blossom Ridge.”
I giggle and roll my eyes. “Doubt it. It’s a relatively small staff. Slim pickings. But I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “I like being single. It suits me. No one to boss me around,” I joke. I’m not kidding though. It’s not funny. I’ll never let a man boss me around again. Never.