Matt carried his to-go bag from the Happy Apple and made his way to Sweet Dreams Bakery for his coffee. He couldn’t give up Terry’s pancakes or bacon if he tried, so he struck a balance. Grabbing breakfast at the Happy Apple like he had been doing for the past ten years and having it with coffee—in his own mug, of course—at Shay’s place.
He gave a nod to Drake Stevens, the local doctor who owned his own practice, before he stepped into Shay’s shop.
“Morning,” he said to a bright-eyed Louise who stood behind the counter with a smile.
“Shay, your boyfriend is here,” she called to the back with a singsong voice.
Shay walked out of the kitchen and into the front, her hair thrown up in a messy bun, revealing her beautiful face.
“Hey boyfriend,” she said, leaning across the counter to give him a kiss.
“Boyfriend? That sounds juvenile.”
“Says the old man,” Louise said from where she was standing.
“Old man?”
“Louise thinks anyone over the age of twenty-five is old. Don’t take offense.” Shay turned and narrowed her eyes at Louise who stuck her tongue out at her. “Let me get your coffee.”
Matt handed Shay his mug, and she turned toward the coffee pot.
“There’s only one way to fix that, you know,” Louise said, resting her hands on the counter behind her. “The whole being called her boyfriend.”
“Yeah, and what’s that?”
“Marry her.”
Shay spun around with horror on her face. “Louise.”
Louise held her hands up. “I’m just saying. There was a problem, and I’m offering a solution.”
Louise’s words weren’t lost on Matt. He and Shay had only been together for a short time, but when he thought about their past, it felt like they had been together much longer. When he closed his eyes and thought about getting married, standing at the altar and waiting for his bride to approach, the girl he pictured beneath the veil had always been Shay. He knew what he wanted, and he was tired of waiting. Tired of being the coward who’d let her walk away without a fight. She was finally back in his life, and he wasn’t letting go. He would marry her and she would be his forever.
“Don’t listen to her,” Shay said, waving her hand at Louise. “Louise, don’t you have some cupcakes to make?”
“I thought you were making the cupcakes.”
“I changed my mind. Go.”
Louise laughed, clearly entertained as she placed an apron over her head and disappeared into the kitchen.
Shay slid Matt’s coffee across the counter, and when she went to pull her hand away, he grabbed it. “It’s not a bad idea,” he said, looking in her eyes and trying to gauge her reaction.
Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parted, and just when she was about to say something, her cell phone rang. She let out a loud sigh and took her phone out of her apron pocket. She ended the call and shoved it back in place.
“Your Mom?” Matt asked.
“Perfect timing as always.”
“Do you…?” Shay’s words were cut off by her phone ringing again. “She doesn’t get a hint.” Shay ended the call again and walked out from behind the counter, her big hazel eyes looking up at him. “About what you said…” Her phone rang again, and she snatched it out of her pocket. “What, Mother? What can possibly be so important that you feel the need to call me three times… What? No. When? Is he okay?” Shay slumped down into a chair, a tear falling from her eye and sliding down her cheek. “I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What’s the matter?” Matt asked, getting down on his knees in front of her.
Shay shook her head, tears pouring out faster than she could wipe them away. Her lips trembled as she tried to talk, and it nearly broke Matt’s heart to see her pain. He took her hand, holding it to his lips, giving her comfort in the only way he knew how.
“My dad had a heart attack.”
Matt took her into his arms, holding her tight as she sobbed against his shoulder. While Shay was always at odds with her mother, her father always held a soft spot in her heart. If it wasn’t for Shay’s mother, Matt imagined he and Mr. Michaels would have gotten along rather well.
“I need to go home.”
Matt hated that Shay still called New York home. He wanted her to think of Red Maple Falls as her home. Her only home. But this wasn’t the time for his own insecurities to take over. She needed him, and he’d be damned if he wasn’t there for her.
Shay got up from her chair and grabbed her bag. She turned around a few times like a lost child who didn’t know her way. Matt went to her, taking her hand. “Wait here.”
“I have to go. I have to go now.”
Matt took her face in her hands. “If you think I’m letting you drive all the way to New York in this condition, you’re out of your mind. Give me a minute to talk to Louise.”
Shay nodded, and Matt kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back. He went to the kitchen to find Louise dancing with a bowl in her arms and singing into a wooden spoon.
“Louise,” he said, and she jumped.
“Holy crap, you scared the ever living…What’s the matter?”
“Shay’s father had a heart attack. She has to go to New York. I’m going to take her. Will you be able to handle things here while she’s gone?”
“Of course. Absolutely. She’s trained me, I know how to make everything. I can open and close. No problem.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Please let me know if she needs anything else.”
“I will.”
Matt turned to go back to Shay when Louise called out to him. He looked back at her.
“I’m happy she has you.”
Matt nodded, happy Shay had him too, and ran back to the front to take her back to the one place he swore he would never return.
***
Shay went home while Matt made a run to the station. She needed to pack a bag anyway, but she had no idea how long she would be in New York. She stood in front of her closet, her eyes fixated on the black dress that hung in the corner. A black dress was a staple for every female, but when the thought of a funeral popped into her head, her legs wobbled and she fell against the wall.
Tears built in her eyes until she couldn’t hold them off anymore. One by one they poured out, until it was a steady stream of despair flowing down her cheeks.
What happened if she drove all the way to New York only to find out it was too late? That she was too late. She would never see her Dad’s smile again that was so rare, but a beautiful gem when he showed it. She’d never hear his voice as he spoke to her about what stocks she should be investing in. Never smell the musky spice of his aftershave and how it lingered in a room long after he left.
Her relationship with her parents wasn’t always the best, but her father was the voice of reason against her mother, taking Shay’s side even when the battle was useless. He would stop working every time Shay walked into his office, long enough to see how she was and ask about her day. He was in no way father of the year, but he was hers and she loved him, flaws and all.
She took a deep breath, forcing the tears to stop and urging herself to get a grip.
“He’ll be okay,” she said over and over as she finished packing her bag, leaving the black dress exactly where it belonged—in her closet.
Matt showed up half an hour later, coming into the house without a knock. She loved how comfortable he was to do so.
His eyes went right to her duffle bag on the couch and without a word he picked it up, flinging it over his shoulder. “You ready?”
“I just have to get my keys.”
“I have my truck.”
“Between the amount of gas that truck will need to get us to New York and how much it’ll be to park it, my Mini is a far better option.”
Matt’s lip curled as he let out a loud sigh. “Fine, where are your keys?”
“In my bag,” she said, walking over to the small kitchen table and grabbing her bag off of the back of the chair. She reached in and pulled them out. “You don’t have to come,” she said, hoping like hell he’d ignore her because she couldn’t imagine facing any of this—not her dad, not her mom—without him by her side.
He swiped the keys out of her hand. “Try to stop me,” he growled, and on the inside, she sighed with relief. “Now come on. If we leave now, we might be able to beat rush hour.”
She hurried out the door and got in her Mini as Matt got in beside her, mumbling something about a clown car.
They didn’t beat rush hour traffic. Thanks to an accident on I-95 they were stuck in the dead middle of it. Shay was ready to jump out of the car and walk the rest of the way. It would probably take her a day, but at this rate it would be faster. Besides, at least she’d be moving. She’d feel like she was getting somewhere instead of just sitting, surrounded by cars, unable to get to her dad who needed her.
Matt must have sensed her frustration because he rested his hand on her knee—a simple touch from him, cooling the growing emotions building inside her.
“He’s going to be okay,” Matt assured her.
“I know. He’s tough.”
“He has to be, being married to your mother for all those years.”
Anybody else might have been mad at Matt for saying that, but Shay couldn’t deny what was true. She recognized it better than anyone, and his words made her laugh.
“Come here,” he said, motioning to her with his hand. She cuddled up into his side, and he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. He kissed the top of her head, and she held on a little tighter just as the traffic started to move again.
Nine long hours later, they were finally pulling onto the block she grew up on. She pointed out the parking garage next to her parents building, and Matt pulled in. “You sure you don’t want to go straight to the hospital?”
“My mom’s text said to meet her here.”
Matt got a ticket from the parking attendant, and they made their way to the building. She waved to Frederick, the doorman, and for the first time in her life she didn’t stop to ask him how his family was.
She got in the elevator and hit the button for the twenty-sixth floor. Matt stood beside her and when the doors opened, he slipped his hand into hers. “You ready?”
“Do I have a choice?” With a deep breath, she stepped out of the elevator and went right to her parents’ door. She knocked, not sure if Frederick would have called up to her mother to announce her arrival since she hadn’t stopped.
The door swung open, and her mother greeted her with a huge smile. “Darling! You’re here,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her. Shay didn’t move, staying stiff and holding onto Matt. “Much later than I expected.”
“How’s Dad?” Shay asked, pulling away.
Her mother’s eyes landed on her hand still attached to Matt’s. Her eyebrow lifted—surprising since it seemed she had gotten more Botox since the last time she had seen her.
“What is he doing here?”
“He’s here for me.”
“Mrs. Michaels,” Matt said and Shay knew it was because he had been raised to respect his elders.
“Are you going to let us in?” Shay asked, and her mother shrugged, pushing the door open and revealing Robert sitting on the couch in his blue Armani suit. His lips held their usual pompous smirk, and his blond hair was combed back.
Every muscle in Shay’s body tightened. Her blood boiled. “What is he doing here?” she growled, unable to control the anger inside her.
“I told you dear, he made a mistake and wants to make things right.”
Robert stood up, smoothing his pant legs down. “Shay, just hear me out.”
Suddenly, it all became clear. “Dad didn’t have a heart attack, did he? That was all a ruse to get me here, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it?” Shay yelled.
“What is going on? And who the hell is this?” Matt asked, and somehow Shay managed to forget he was there. She closed her eyes, trying to think of the best way to explain.
“Robert Prescott, Shay’s fiancé,” Robert said before she could get thoughts to form into words.
“Fiancé?” Matt repeated, and Shay could hear the anger and hurt in his voice.
Desperate to make this right Shay blurted, “He’s not my fiancé.”
“You still have the ring.”
“Because I bought it! Not to mention it would have been kind of hard to give it back to you in jail.”
“Jail?” Matt said as if he was trying to process everything that was happening.
“Total misunderstanding. I was only in for a couple weeks before they straightened everything out,” Robert offered. “Shay here took off before we could discuss things. She does that, though. When things get tough, she runs.” Matt’s jaw tightened as Robert spoke of her like someone who knew her. He didn’t know her. Not at all. Not like Matt did. Matt needed to understand that. Realize that Robert was a product of her mother.
“Baby, why don’t we have a little chat while your friend—”
“You stole from me! Everything I ever saved you took. So, stop talking,” Shay yelled at Robert, holding her hand up at him when he tried to speak. She stepped in front of Matt. She could see Matt’s heart breaking all over again, but this time he didn’t wear it on his sleeve. He hid behind pain and anger.
“I can explain.”
She took his hand but he stepped away letting her hand fall. “You said you were waiting for me.”
“I was.”
Matt tossed his arms out in front of him. “You were engaged!”
“I didn’t marry him!”
His eyes narrowed into two angry slivers. “Only because he screwed you over.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No, you know what’s not fair? The fact that you were engaged and never thought to tell me.”
“It was my past and you’re my future. Why would I? The past doesn’t matter. It’s behind us.”
“I was your past too, you know. Do you just want to forget about all that time we spent together that summer?”
“You’re twisting my words; I didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t you?” His tone was harsh, each word like a dagger. “The past doesn’t matter, right? It’s behind us.”
“This is ridiculous. You’re mad at me because I was engaged to someone else. Big deal. We broke up over seventeen years ago, what the hell did you expect me to do? I was trying to live my life. It might not have been my first choice, but it was the only choice I had. You let me go, and you never came after me. You never even called. Kate would have given you my number. She would’ve told you where I was, yet you never asked.”
Matt’s jaw tightened. “Maybe I did.”
“What?”
Matt’s eyes drifted away from hers and landed on her mother. He stared at her with hatred and disgust before he shook his head. “Forget it.”
“No, what are you saying?”
She grabbed his arm, but he shook her off. He looked up, staring into her eyes, slaying her with that intense stare. She froze, waiting for him to continue, to tell her that he had come for her, but something happened. Something kept them apart.
She waited, but he didn’t say anything. Instead he walked away, slamming the door behind him.
Shay stared at the door, wishing this was all a bad dream she would wake up from. But this wasn’t a dream; it was her reality, and the mess she was in was all her doing.
Actually, not entirely her doing.
“Now that the trash has been taken out,” her mother said, and Shay spun around furious with rage.
“You manipulative, lying bitch. How dare you!”
“I am your mother and refuse to stand here while you speak to me like that.”
“You told me my father had a heart attack. Do you have any idea what I went through?”
“You wouldn’t listen to me. I was just trying to get you here, so you and Robert could work things out.”
“Robert and I will never work things out. Ever. Do you understand me? Both of you.”
“Baby, let’s talk about this.”
“Don’t!” Shay pointed her finger at him with all the anger coursing through her. “Don’t ever call me that. I’m not your damn baby.”
“You’re overreacting, like you always do.”
She laughed at the absurdity. He was just like her mother—a manipulative, lying, horrible human being who only cared about his image. How did it take him stealing from her to notice it, when all along he treated her like a puppet he could mold to his liking? She was an idiot. She’d made so many damn mistakes because she was too scared to stand up for herself. Not anymore. Starting today she was done.
“Get out of my way,” she said to Robert.
He tilted his head and went to reach for her. The last thing she wanted was his lying fingers anywhere near her. Every part of him made her sick.
“Baby.”
She cut her eyes to him and he held his hands up. “I mean Shay.”
“Move!” she screamed, and with a roll of his eyes he backed away.
“Fine, be a little bitch. Don’t come crawling back to me when you’re done slumming it.”
“Going back to you would be slumming it, and I have higher standards than that.”
Robert was such a jerk. She couldn’t believe that she ever thought about marrying him. He was everything she didn’t want in a man.
The man that she did want, the man that she could imagine her life with, had also walked out that door, but she wasn’t going to let him go. Not again. She needed to find him. Needed to make things right.
She went for the door when her mother grabbed her hand. “Where are you going? We have things to discuss.”
Shay ripped her hand out of her mother’s grip. Shay stared at her, she didn’t just tell lies, she lived behind one, the fine lines around her mouth might’ve been gone from all the plastic surgery, but she couldn’t hide her age from her hands and her neck.
Shay’s whole life, she was scared of her mother. Scared of what she would think and how she would react. Now, as Shay stared into her hazel eyes, dim, the life fading out of them from too many nights of drinking herself to sleep, Shay wasn’t scared of her at all. If anything, Shay felt sorry for her.
“There’s nothing left to discuss. I need to go find the only man who has ever loved me for me and try to fix what you broke.”
“I didn’t break anything. You’re the one who lied to him.”
Shay went to walk away, and her mother jumped in front of her. “Why don’t you calm down, and we can talk like reasonable adults?”
“You lost that right the minute you lied to me about my father.”
She waved Shay off like she was being absurd. “It was a tiny white lie.”
“The fact that you think that, shows me who you really are.”
“And who is that?”
“No one. You’re dead to me.”
Her mother’s hand landed on her chest, eyes full of arrogance and shock. “I beg your pardon.”
Shay stepped closer, staring her mother down, refusing to break eye contact for even a second. “You. Are. Dead. To. Me. Don’t call me. Don’t email me. Don’t come see me. As far as I know, you don’t exist.”
Her mother’s eyes widened, her lips parted, but no words came out. “Dead,” Shay repeated for emphasis “And by the way, if I catch either of you anywhere near my bakery, I will have you arrested,” she said, leaving her mother behind like she should have done years ago.