Chapter Text
“Ok, so that’s one 6-inch butterscotch, one 6-inch vanilla and raspberry, one 6-inch chocolate? Perfect. They will be ready for collection on the 24 th and I've emailed you the deposit link. Thank you so much. Bye.”
Lizzy ended the call and scribbled the order into her calendar. A mother of triples, each demanding their own flavour for their 5 th birthday. With that, her month was officially full. She loved full months.
After five years of owning her own bakery – Bloom Bakery, specialising in delicate and whimsical style cakes for all occasions – Lizzy still couldn’t quite believe that people wanted to buy her cakes. What started in her parents’ kitchen while she studied at the Institute of Culinary Education had become a busting little shop.
Not many people could say they got to do what they loved for a living. Though somedays if felt like her entire life was the shop.
The bell over the door jingled and her sister Mabel strutted in
“All work and no play makes Lizzy a boring girl.” she teased as she against the countertop.
Lizzy smirked, “I am having plenty of fun back here thank you...”
“You have missed two girls' lunches in a row. Everyone was asking where you were today.”
Lizzy turned to the back counter and busied herself with... well nothing. There was nothing to tidy. Her back counter was spotless. She also knew that Mabel knew that, so she couldn’t hide.
But she also couldn’t tell her the truth as to why she’d missed those lunches. Not without blowing up their entire friend group.
She and Mabel had been friends with Nan, Jinny and Conchita since they were little girls. College had scattered them, but New York brought them all back, as if no time had passed between them.
Mabel had returned from Chicago with a Fine Arts degree, a keen eye for interior design and a girlfriend, Honoria. Lizzy’s home was a little sanctuary following Mabel’s expert guidance.
Conchita had found her husband Richard – Honoria's brother – on one of her visits to Chicago from California. They had a little girl, Minnie, and Conchita put her business degree to good use by starting a dating app. Lizzy was becoming very skilled at dodging their regular suggestions she sign up for it...
Jinny had gone into social work, wanting to help those who had been in abusive relationships like the one she broke free from.
Nan had gone the furthest of them all. She went to Cambridge, became a journalist and found Theo...
Theo.
Lizzy forced herself to look at Mabel, who was giving her the ‘i’m not letting this go ’ look.
“I’m sorry, my calendar has been as full as it’s ever been with orders. I won’t miss the next one.”
Mabel rounded the counter and leaned her hip against it, “When was the last time you had sex?”
Lizzy almost choked. “ What ?”
“I’m worried about you. Your life is this bakery – which is so special - but you don’t date. You deserve to date and relax and have fun and have sex. Lots of it .”
Lizzy laughed, “It hasn't been that long.”
Mabel folded her arms, clearly not believing her sister.
"A month.” she relented.
Mabel’s eyes bugged out of her head, “a month ? I thought you were going to say like a year! With who? ”
“We definitely do not need to get into that.” she said with an awkward laugh. “How about I let you take me out tonight for a drink?” she asked, hoping to distract her sister.
Mabel narrowed her eyes, “I see what you’re trying to do, but I accept your offer. I won’t forget about this conversation though.”
“Just pick me up at 6 when I close this place up.”
“Deal. I’ll call the girls.” she blew her sister a kiss and walked round the counter again and out the door.
Lizzy let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. There was no way she was going to admit who was in her bed a month ago. Not even to her own sister.
Theo had always thought Cornwall was the only place he’d settle down in. Its beaches, its quiet, it’s calm. Their home had become his sanctuary, just how he liked it.
But here he was in New York, and he still wasn’t quite sure why .
Well, he knew what brought him here in the first place – Nan. They’d met at university, and he was immediately swept up by her vibrant personality. She was unlike anyone he had met before. She seemed to love him for him and not just because of his heritage.
Being the son of a Duke came with its perks – a beautiful castle in the most beautiful place on Earth, more privilege than he knew what to do with – but also its drawbacks, in that people seemed only interested in Lord Theodore Ushant. It was if they had forgotten any real power his family had was swept away a long time ago.
But Nan made him forget about it all. She made him feel like just Theo . Maybe it was that she was American, and the titles meant little to her. She encouraged his love of art and photography, so much so that he made his living from his pictures. He even helped her snap photographs for her articles.
They dated for three years before he proposed, and she accepted. They got married, moved to New York... and then it all went to shit. It turned out he wasn’t the only one who was swept up in her vibrant personality, and Nan cared more for his family’s title than she let on.
The divorce was relatively painless. Nan didn’t fight him, at least having some shame for what she had done.
But now he was in New York, still taking photographs, but still feeling... lost. His family was scattered – his sister Charlotte running the family estate with their father Henry. His brother Kit was trotting around the globe leaving a steady stream of heartbroken women in his wake. His mother was in New York though, choosing to settle here after rekindling things with a old flame, Reede Robinson.
He liked Reede well enough. Reede’s son Hector less so.
He opened the door to his mother’s brownstone, calling for her and receiving a response that she was in the kitchen. He followed the narrow hallways to the back of the house, finding her standing by the island making a list.
“Good, I’m glad you’re here. I need some help with this party.” she said as she tapped the pen against her chin.
“What party?”
She sighed and looked at him, “Reede’s surprise birthday party. We discussed it last month, you said you would help with whatever I needed?” she prompted.
Theo stiffened. He vaguely remembered the conversation. It was the same night as...
Never mind. He couldn’t let his brain go there anymore.
“Sorry, yes, I remember. What do you need?”
“I was hoping you could sort the cake. I would love to put an order in with Lizzy, her cakes are divine .”
“... Lizzy?” he awkwardly cleared his throat. “I’m sure Lizzy has a full calendar, her cakes are very popular, mother.”
“I know. And I want one. You’re friends, can you not ask her to squeeze you in?”
“How about donuts instead?” he suggested. “They’re all the trend at the moment. Or so I’m told. Social media isn’t really my thing... Kit will know, I’ll ask him.” he said, pulling out his phone, desperate for an idea that wouldn’t bring him face to face with Lizzy.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Lizzy... it was that he did want to see Lizzy. And he couldn’t want that. Society dictated that it was wrong to want that... No matter how right it felt.
His mother reached out and pushed his hand down, “No donuts, Theo. I really want to do a cake. Maybe chocolate with fudge icing? Reede would love that. Would you please go and see her and ask if she’d have the time? I would really appreciate your help with this.”
He exhaled out his frustration.
“Sure. If that’s what you want.”
She clapped her hands, “Thank you, Reede will be thrilled! And uh... maybe while you’re there you could ask her out on a date.”
“Mother ...”
She held up her hands, “Just a suggestion. Anyone with two eyes and a bit of sense would notice how you look at her.”
“Goodbye mother.” he said as he kissed her cheek and left the room.
“I could send Hector instead--”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Ok... then just you think about it...”
He had thought about it. Far too often.
A short while later, Theo approached the doors of Bloom Bakery, spotting her through the window. Hair plaited, floral dress beneath her apron, lost in concentration as she iced cupcakes. His fingers itched for his camera. These were his favourite shots – when the person was lost in a world they clearly loved.
He gave himself a quiet, don’t be an idiot, pep talk before he sucked in a breath and opened the door. Lizzy’s head shot up and surprise flickered across her face. “Theo.”
He awkwardly stuffed his hands in his pocket, “Hi Lizzy.” He couldn’t help but scan every inch of her. “You’ve got some...” he said gesturing to her cheek.
She quickly reached up and rubbed away the icing and chuckled. “Occupational hazard. What brings you by?”
“I know your calendar is probably full for the next little while, I mean, how could it not be, your cakes are sensational.” He complimented, noticing the blush that crept up Lizzy’s cheeks. “Would you have space for a last minute order? It’s for next Saturday. A chocolate fudge cake for Reede’s 60 th birthday.”
“Uh... sure, let me check.” she said as she wiped her hands and scrolled through her computer. “I could squeeze it in.”
Theo let out a breath, “You are a life saver, thank you. My mother wouldn’t have settled for anything less than one of your creations.”
She smiled, “I always liked your mom. New York seems to suit her.”
“Surprisingly, I think you might be right. Do I pay for it now?”
She shook her head, “I normally take a deposit and then payment on collection but I know you’re good for it, no need for a deposit.”
“You're very trusting.” he replied.
Her gaze caught his and held it for just a second too long. “You look like someone who keeps his promises.”
He couldn’t help but just... stare at her. God, she was beautiful. Achingly so. If he stared long enough he could believe he was back at the bar, both of their gazes making promises of signs to come.
Before he could fumble any further or stare any longer, the door to the shop opened and Mabel appeared behind them.
“Oh Theo, good, you can come too.” Mabel said as she impatiently tapped her watch in Lizzy’s direction.
“Where?” he asked.
“We’re going for a drink. Conchita’s bringing Richard, I called Kit earlier and he’s coming – shocking that he’s actually in the country and not causing chaos on a yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean.” she said with an eyeroll. “Nan isn’t so don’t panic--”
“I wasn’t panicking--”
“So, you’ll come?” Lizzy asked and if he wasn’t a little bit delirious when it came to her, he would have said she sounded... hopeful .
He couldn’t say no to her.
“Sure. I’ll come.”
She smiled at him before brushing past him. Mabel hooked her arm through his and pulled him out onto the street as Lizzy locked up.
“I’m glad you’re coming, you haven’t been out with us in a while.” Mabel said with a nudge.
He shrugged, “I didn’t want to cause difficulties for Nan. You were all her friends first.”
“Dicky was one of your best friends growing up, you know you’re welcome out with us anytime. Nan’s a big girl, if she’s going to do what she did, then she needs to accept the consequences--”
“Mabel...” Lizzy said warningly.
She shook her head, “Sorry, you’re right, no Debbie Downer tonight. Let’s get drunk!” she exclaimed as she pulled Theo along and started to ask him about his photography.
Lizzy sighed, watching Theo and her sister walk ahead of her.
Theodore Ushant.
A gifted photographer.
A quiet introvert.
Former husband of her best friend.
The only man who had ever truly gotten under her skin in a good way...
... and the only man she’d ever had a one-night stand with.
This was going to be an interesting night.