Winning the Baker's Heart

Chapter 6

When Kyle awoke Sunday afternoon, he had a feeling he'd done something stupid, but he wasn't sure what. He was still in his clothes he'd worn Saturday, and he reeked of booze. Naturally, he'd done something stupid.

He wasn't a mean drunk, but he didn't make the best decisions. Last time he was this hungover, he'd made an eight-tiered cake for fun. Then he'd had to give it away because it would have gone to waste had he not. It would have been an amazing cake, and it did get him more recognition since the grateful bride he'd gifted it to had gushed about it all over social media. He just didn't need to waste cake then or now.

He got up and checked his phone. He had two texts, one from Thomas and another from Hailie. She thanked him for making her sister's wedding remarkable with a grand cake. Thomas just let him know he'd be late Monday morning but that wasn't unusual. He had to take his mom to the hospital several days a week for treatments. She had a ride home with her sister, but Thomas insisted on taking her to the appointments before he went to work.

Replying to Thomas, Kyle went to shower. It was too late to get anything to eat from Mama's Diner so he'd have to cook for himself. He had a few things in his fridge but not much. He'd have to go shopping.

As he showered, he tried to figure out what he did. Everything after dropping the cake off was a blur. He remembered getting back and coming upstairs, but after that he remembered nothing. But... he had a sinking feeling in the bottom of his gut that head done something.

His mood already foul because he was drawing a blank, Kyle put on clean pajamas and poured a bowl of cereal. He'd go to the grocery store after closing tomorrow. Even though he was clean, he felt dirty. He'd let his emotions get the best of him, and he'd gotten drunk. Now he couldn't remember anything, and that made him feel worse. He knew he was a lightweight, but he'd wanted to forget. He succeeded in that a little too well.

Finishing his meager meal, Kyle washed the bowl and spoon then put them in the dish drainer. He cut the lights and crawled back in bed. Then he got back up again to clean the beer bottles off the table. Getting back in bed, he stared at the ceiling for a very long time, annoyed at himself for being so weak.

Soon he was drifting off to sleep again to ease his hangover. Sleep was the best thing for him because he wouldn't have a nasty headache in the morning. He would if he stayed up. But when he closed his eyes, he saw a pair of familiar green eyes staring back at him.

**********

The next morning, Kyle stepped into the kitchen to unlock the back door. He went to turn on the fryers. When he turned around, he saw Rey pulling open the door to the kitchen and shaking out his hair. It had started raining sometime in the night and hadn't let up. The forecast called for it all day.

When Rey turned around, he seemed shocked to see Kyle standing there. It was unusual. Thomas was usually the first one there, and he had all the fryers and ovens going before Kyle got downstairs. For the last week, Rey had only seen Thomas when he first came in.

The younger man disappeared into the hallway to put up his bag and grab his jacket. He went to the table and began to mix the chocolate, caramel, and white glaze for donuts. Thomas had taught him well so Kyle knew Rey could do it in his sleep.

They worked quickly and efficiently. By the time the first order came through, they had enough donuts to fill four orders. While Kyle boxed the orders, Rey dropped the new batch of donuts for the display case.

Katie and Lily came in right at six. Kyle was unlocking the front door when they greeted him. He liked having the two girls working with him. Lily was taking night classes at the community college, taking online courses over the summer. During the year, she worked the early morning shift. Katie was a junior in high school. She had been working for Kyle for six months, and she typically worked the closing shift. Only during holidays and breaks could she work days.