Sugar, Spice & Secrets

41

As the clock struck closing time, the last customers trickled out of the bakery, leaving behind a quiet stillness that settled over the empty storefront. Zoe and Laura had already bid their farewells and headed home for the evening, leaving me alone to wait, the minutes ticking by with agonizing slowness.

I glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time, my heart sinking with each passing minute. Gabriele had promised to come over to see Avery, but as the hours stretched on, there was still no sign of him.

A part of me, a big part, hoped that Gabriele wouldn't show up to whisk Avery away like he usually did with me. It was selfish, I knew, but I couldn't help the pang of jealousy that twisted in my chest at the thought of him prioritizing her over me.

Yet, despite my own desires, a tiny part of me couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for Avery. She deserved happiness just as much as anyone else, and if Gabriele's attention brought her joy, who was I to stand in the way of that?

Who was I?

Who?

Still, the uncertainty gnawed at me, casting a shadow over the quiet solitude of the bakery as we waited in vain for Gabriele's arrival.

Against my prayers, we see Gabriele's car pull up in front of the bakery and he stepped out of the car. I wanted to flee, to hide away from seeing him after the blunder I made in his office. But another part, the stubborn part that refused to admit that I wanted him all to myself, urged me to stand my ground.

I squared my shoulders and forced myself to meet him as he stepped out of the car. His expression was unreadable, his features cloaked in shadows cast by the dimming light of the evening.

Avery's eyes lit up at the sight of him, a radiant smile spreading across her face as she hurried to greet him as he walked into the bakery. The sight twisted something inside me, a knot of envy and resignation tightening in my chest. It was like being a bystander, witnessing a scene from someone else's life, a life I once thought could be mine.

As Gabriele's gaze met mine, a flicker of something indefinable passed between us. In that moment, I felt like a mistress watching her lover and his wife, an outsider looking in on a love that was never meant for me. But despite the ache in my heart, I couldn't tear my eyes away.

"Good evening, Julie," he greeted but my attention diverted to how his hand settled easily around Avery's waist.

Did he touch every woman like this, with such ease and familiarity?

"Good evening, Gabriele," I managed to reply, forcing a smile that felt brittle and insincere.

"Why'd you come so late?" Avery asked, placing her hand over his. My attention shifted, curiosity piqued by his response.

"I was working on the baking competition for Julie," he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement. The realization that he had been focused on something he had shared with me only a few days ago stirred a strange mixture of emotions within me.

Oh, he still cares, a small voice whispered in the depths of my mind, but I quickly pushed the thought aside. It was too easy to fall back into the trap of wishful thinking, to read more into his actions than was warranted.

Would you look at that, I thought wryly. I managed a tight-lipped smile, the bitter taste of envy lingering on my tongue. "Thanks," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, the words feeling hollow and meaningless.

"Julie is so modest," Avery remarked, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. She playfully slapped Gabriele's shoulder, her touch light and affectionate. My eyes followed her movement, coming to rest on Gabriele's face.