Page 100 of Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake
Lizzie’s mouth dropped to the floor. “You’rewhat?”
“I’m handing over the reins, dear. I’m old, and my wife and I are feeling called to travel. Explore and play. I want to learn to share some of the responsibilities that keep me here. And I know you are the perfect person to do that with. The finances are in good shape, our customer base strong, and I’ve watched your talent blossom. I’m ready to entrust more of the bakery into your incredibly capable, creative hands.”
Lizzie stared at Bernadette, trying to process this. “But… but what if I fail? What if I lose you money?” Lizzie said, fear snaking across her gut. “I don’t know how to run a business. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Don’t you?” Bernadette said, looking at her closely. “Because in the time you’ve worked here, you’ve gotten our website and ordering off the ground, created enough buzz to generate lines out the door, learned the bookkeeping, and are thriving with the increased responsibilities I’ve handed you.”
Lizzie opened her mouth, but Bernadette quieted her. “And I’m notdying, Lizzie,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not leaving you high and dry. We’ll be partners until maybe one day youwon’t need me at all. I’ll be around to troubleshoot. To help however you need.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Lizzie whispered. She loved this shop like it was a piece of her own heart, and the idea of co-owning it felt too delicious and terrifying to believe.
“Say ‘thank you,’ and then get back to work,” Bernadette said, cupping Lizzie’s cheek. “We have plenty of time and we’ll work out the details as we go.”
Lizzie launched herself at Bernadette, wrapping her in a giant hug. “Thank you,” Lizzie said, a small tremble of excitement vibrating through her body. “I can do this.”
Chapter 45
RAKE was absolutely miserable at work on Monday. He hadn’t slept in two days, and Lizzie had ignored all his texts and calls. He was a fool, and he wanted her back. He’d do anything to get her back.
He tried to focus on work, but his brain was stuck on Lizzie, wondering if she was okay. Wondering what he could do to fix this.
His office phone rang, the loud noise making him jump.
“Hello?” he answered, not bothering to check the number.
“Come to my office,” Dominic said by way of greeting. “We need to strategize.” Then hung up.
Rake sighed, slamming his phone down with more force than was necessary. He buried his face in his hands, wishing he had any excuse in the world not to go talk to Dominic. After a moment, he stood and headed to his office.
“Shut the door,” Dominic said without looking up from the file in front of him.
Rake did as he was told, taking a seat at the open chair in front of his desk.
“We need to hit Nicholás hard with the pitch tonight,” Dominic said, finally putting the file down and glancing at Rake. “Iwant you to figure out a way to make that market research shine and fluff up those return projections. I think that’s what’s given him cold feet.”
Rake nodded. There was only so much he could do to change the outlook of the numbers he’d already run without outright lying to the man.
“And we need to play up the refined sexiness of it. We need something young and fresh to really capture his attention and attract the millennial buyers.”
“I thought young and fresh violated the tried-and-true luxury of the brand,” Rake said dryly, repeating the sentiment Dominic had pounded into the team.
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “Onism will always be about refinement and class,” he said. “And I’ll make sure every campaign reflects that, but the point is to also grow brand awareness in our new market. Or have you forgotten?”
“Was just clarifying the approach,” Rake said, staring at him with a level of disinterest that seemed to pique Dominic’s annoyance.
Dominic leaned back in his chair, giving Rake a look of cool appraisal. “Is there something you’d like to say, Rake? Or would you prefer to keep staring daggers at me?”
Rake paused, torn between two extremes. Part of him wanted to grab Dominic by the throat and make him take back every foul word he’d said about Lizzie. The other part of him wanted to retreat to the safety of placating his boss, bending over backward and putting the company first, maintaining his job and the security it offered.
He tried to go for a happy medium.
“Actually, there is,” Rake said, mimicking Dominic’s reclined posture. “I have an issue with the way you spoke about Lizzie during our call this weekend.”
Dominic’s brows rose in surprise, then he rolled his eyes. “Youmust be joking. I can’t waste any more time on this. What you do in your personal life is your business, just don’t bring that messy thing around to client events and we’ll be fine.”
Rake jolted up, slamming his palms on Dominic’s desk and leaning forward. “Shut up,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Excuse me?” Dominic said, slowly standing, the lines of his face taut and trembling at Rake’s insubordination.