“I’m so sorry,” Charlie said, her voice full of anguish even as she was relieved that she was finally, actually speaking to her sister. “I can’t believe I screwed up so badly. I forgot to send the recipes. I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Are you okay? Is everything okay?”
“Charlie, calm down,” Cass replied, sounding perfectly okay. “Everything is fine. I’ve been managing without the recipes. No need to panic.”
Charlie remained distraught. “I couldn’t find my phone, and then it was dead . . . and I’m just so angry with myself. You’re sure you’re doing okay? I tried to watch the show earlier but—” But I was preoccupied with the drama of my own life. And I let you down.
“Actually, I am!” Cass sounded it, too. “Yes, things were a bit dicey at first, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’ve actually liked developing my own recipes. And Sasha has given me a lot of compliments, so that’s good, right?”
“Really? That’s great, Cass.” Charlie let out a relieved sigh. “What about Austin? Is he making your life miserable?”
“I’m handling Austin. Charlie, you don’t need to worry about me,” Cass said reassuringly. “But what about you? How’s the bakery? And how’s your head? Are you okay?”
“The bakery is good. Walter’s been a huge help, and these recipes are sort of like riding a bike, you know? A lot of it is coming back to me, being home.” Charlie paused but decided not to mention being slightly off pace with the daily quota of Starlight loaves.
“I actually have some really good news. My sense of taste and smell are back. Which means . . . you can come home, and I’ll go back to L.A. to finish the show.” It was hard to ignore how this proposal made Charlie feel—deeply nostalgic for a hometown she hadn’t left yet. Plus, what would be like to say goodbye to Jake? All of it made her feel like her insides were being twisted up. “But thank you, Cass. I really do owe you one.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. “Are you still there?” Charlie asked.
“Sorry, yes! First of all, I’m so glad about your sense of taste and smell. That’s the best news.” Cass paused again. “But—how about Brett? Do you think you got through to him yet?”
Oh right. Brett. “Honestly? Not quite. He still doesn’t seem to understand your split is permanent.” Charlie cringed, thinking of Brett walking in on her and Jake. “I’m sorry, Cass. I know I said I’d deal with it for you, but he’s being incredibly obtuse.”
Cass was silent for a moment. “I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but I don’t feel ready to see Brett. And, as I said, I’m okay with Sweet and Salty! I’d love to finish what I’ve started, if you trust me enough?”
Charlie was about to object, but she stopped herself. She did trust Cass. Entirely. And as she stared out the window at her snowy and familiar hometown she felt a warmth bloom inside her at the idea of staying a bit longer. There were loose ends she needed to tie up here as well. “I mean, if you’re sure you’ve got everything under control I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad to just stay here. For now,” Charlie replied.
“Okay, so we agree. Let’s stick to the original plan. I’ll handle Sweet and Salty and Austin, you handle Brett and the bakery, and we’ll see each other on Christmas Eve, just like we agreed in the first place.”
11
Cass
Saturday: 7 Days Until Christmas . . .
Los Angeles
Cass was dressed in a deep red waterfall skirt and a silky cream-colored off-the-shoulder top. Wardrobe had also added gold-hued heels that shimmered with glitter, and Priya had chosen a chunky gold bracelet to finish the outfit—and to hide her lack of a wrist tattoo. On the outside Cass knew she looked flawless. And yet, she was still uncomfortable in her “costume.” She was becoming more accustomed to life on the Sweet & Salty set, but these outfits irritated her for their impracticality while also making her feel like the imposter she was.
It was Saturday, and this week they were only getting one day off so they could stay on schedule. At least bakery life had prepared her for working every day of the week. But even Priya was having trouble fully concealing the ravages of not enough sleep all week, along with a bit too much wine with dinner the night before.
“I’m sorry, but these dark, puffy circles are an emergency, level ten,” Priya said. “I’m going to have to break out the big guns.”