Page 9 of Daddies' Holiday Toy

Heat rushes to my cheeks. “I know and I’m sorry about that. I was wondering if there would be any way to negotiate another extension. Or maybe a payment plan?”

A single silver eyebrow is raised. “A payment plan?”

“Yes. Business has been slow these past few weeks, unfortunately. The holidays are coming up so I should be getting more orders in soon to fill up my books, but until then?—”

“You need leeway,” he finishes.

I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “Yes.”

He leans back in his chair, his eyes fixed on my face.

For a long moment, neither of us speak—only the small ticking of a clock from somewhere behind me breaks up the silence.

I’m tempted to open my mouth to fill the void but second guess myself.

With him, it’s usually better not to dig the hole deeper.

I’ve learned that the hard way over the years.

His fingers lace together, the dull gleam of a wedding band flashing under the light above.

“Miss Callahan, I run a business too. I can’t afford to let tenants fall behind indefinitely.”

“It wouldn’t be indefinite,” I say quickly. “Just for a few weeks. I’ve been a good tenant with no late payments up until recently. You know I’ll get you the money the second it clears in my business account.”

He sighs. “While I sympathize, I already have inquiries from other business owners potentially interested in that space. If you can’t fulfill your contract, then unfortunately some choices are going to have to be made. I need businesses that can pay on time.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

My eyes sting suddenly, tears prickling at the corners.

“Please. This bakery…it’s everything to me. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am. A few bad weeks shouldn’t be what closes my doors. I swear I’m good for it. If you take it away now…I’ll…”

I choke on the words, my throat growing tight with the lump forming in it.

I can’t even finish the thought because it’s too devastating to entertain, let alone admit out loud.

While Mr. Larkin is a straight-forward person, he can’t bethatheartless.

He exhales slowly, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair.

“Half the payment next week, and the rest by the end of the month,” he says finally. “I’ll give you until then to make up what you owe, but that’s it. I can’t give you any further extensions. Ifthe balance isn’t paid in full by then, the lease will need to be terminated.”

Oh. My. God!

Relief floods me so fast my knees nearly give out.

“Thank you. I’ll get that half payment to you ASAP.”

He nods once. “Good. I’ll look forward to hearing from you in a few days.”

Leaving his office is a blur and so is running back to my bakery to open for the day to get started on the few orders Idostill have on standby that I booked out months ago.

Maybe the universe is starting to turn in my favor.

I shrug off my coat and toss it and grab my apron from its hook, tying it around my waist with shaking fingers.

My mind is already sprinting ahead, making mental lists of ingredients I need for my upcoming order and walking through the prep times and pricing I’ll need to send out once I start.