The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic(48)

“Right.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll just go.”

“Jake,” she said just as he reached for the doors, “thank you. I just—I need to do this. It clears my head.”

He nodded.

“I’ll be at the station if you need anything, okay?”

“Take the guys a box of the pomegranate éclairs too. On the house.”

Sadie spent the next few hours getting lost in the rhythm of rolling, cutting, and stirring. The slide of baking trays going into the oven and the clatter of mixing bowls echoed around the kitchen like children playing tag. Every so often she’d go out and refill coffees or ring someone up while Gail restocked the pastry case. Juliana Daunton came in, and despite herself, Sadie felt her mouth pull into a smile.

“Sadie, honey,” she said, striding toward the counter like a woman on a mission, “this is my second time in here today. Those mini lime–poppy seed Bundt cakes are better than sex,” she said, lowering her tenor voice to a whisper. “And trust me, I’ve had some good sex.” She winked, and Sadie couldn’t help the blush that stained her cheeks like cherry juice.

“Oh well, that’s …” Probably more info than I needed, Sadie thought. “… good,” she finished lamely.

“I mean it. The card said they’d give you a kick of energy, but my God, I feel like I could dance a dozen rumbas.” Juliana moved her feet in a little dance. “I’ve got more oomph than the kids today.” Ms. Daunton ran the town’s gymnastic program, and Sadie immediately felt responsible for whatever chaos went on in her classes today. “Now, you’re going to share the recipe with us, aren’t you, honey? It’s simply not fair to deprive us of this goodness.”

Sadie thought of the cookbook. Of Gigi telling her to find her fulfillment.

“I might,” Sadie said, “but you know—”

“Sadie,” a stern voice cut her off as the bell chimed over the front door, and Sara Watanabe steamrolled into the shop.

“I am out of bells. I have called and called, and you do not answer. I need bells, and I also need more jars of the infused honey.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Watanabe,” Sadie said, sighing internally. “Things have been a little crazy.”

“That is no excuse, young lady. You run a business? This is part of business. Now, tell me how your grandmother is doing.” Mrs. Watanabe’s voice was stern but Sadie took no offense, it was just the woman’s nature.

“Yes, how is that darling woman?” Ms. Daunton added.

Mrs. Watanabe glared at Ms. Daunton like she’d stolen her question at gunpoint.

“She’s doing well,” Sadie said, and even though it tasted like a lie, it sounded like the truth.

“Fine, fine,” Ms. Watanabe said. “I will take a pomegranate éclair to go.”

“Oh honey, you should try the lime–poppy seed Bundt cake. It’s like an orgasm in your mouth.”

Mrs. Watanabe’s mouth gaped like a fish’s, and Sadie had to stifle a laugh.

“I’m telling you,” Ms. Daunton went on. “It’s a shame Sadie won’t share the recipe.”

“Yes, I—I have often thought Sadie should offer a baking class,” Mrs. Watanabe said, trying to gather herself after the orgasm comment.

“You have?” Sadie asked in astonishment.

“It would be good for business.”

“What would be good for business?” Jimmy Wharton asked, coming up to the counter for a refill on his coffee. Sadie took it on autopilot and poured the specialty coffee she ordered for the shop. It had notes of blueberry and honey that gave it a clean, creamy flavor profile, and it also happened to be highly addictive.

“It is not good to butt in on other people’s conversations,” Mrs. Watanabe said with a frown.

“Oh, honey,” Ms. Daunton said, “nobody can have a private conversation in this town. We were saying how Sadie should offer cooking classes. Or at the very least, share her recipes,” she added to Jimmy.

“Sherry would love that,” Jimmy said, speaking of his wife. “You could do couples classes. Like for date night.”

“I’ll think about it,” Sadie said. The excitement bubbling in her chest felt like champagne bubbles, light and airy and making her float just a little.

“Don’t forget. Bells and honey.”

“Yes, Mrs. Watanabe,” Sadie said, handing her a container with a pomegranate éclair and a Bundt cake for good measure. Not that the woman needed any extra energy. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Sadie went back to the kitchen, humming to herself and working on projects until she felt something calling her home. It wasn’t an urgent pull, but there was a pleasant sort of siren song that resonated in her bones. She checked in with Gail, who shooed her out with a kiss on the cheek, and then started a slow walk back home.

The sky darkened, and the wind whipped through her jacket, but the warmth of the pull kept her from shivering. She was back near the house when the soles of her feet grew warm, and she laughed, the anxious thoughts finally ebbing away. There, in the middle of the empty street, with her arms outstretched and mouth open, stood her Aunt Tava, barely over five feet tall, with wide hips and short arms. With a squeal of delight, Sadie rushed over to her.