Shelby held up her hand. “You don’t even have to ask. I’ll work more hours and take on anything you want me to. Pretend you don’t even own a bakery.”
“Thanks. I was hoping you’d be okay with me taking it easy. There’s a lot to worry about and at the same time, I’m not supposed to worry.” She touched her tummy. “I’m so happy.”
“I’m happy for you.”
Amber stood. “We’ll talk soon, okay? Oh, and if you could not say anything for a few days. I’m telling close friends and family first. My dad is beyond excited, of course. Threatening to buy one of every children’s book ever published.”
Shelby smiled, imagining Morgan’s happiness at finally being a grandfather. “I won’t mention it until I hear it from another source.”
Amber grinned. “Of course you can tell Aidan.” She covered her mouth. “Oh, no. I can’t believe it. I’m sorry. Here I was going on and on about the baby, when you have other things on your mind. Congratulations on the marriage. That’s so great.”
Shelby thought about pounding her head against the desk. “We’re not married.”
“What? You’re divorced already?”
“No. We were never married. The ad was a joke because we...” She waved her hand. “It’s not important. Pretend you never saw that announcement.”
“Okay. Well, for what it’s worth, I think you two make a cute couple.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
THE RETRACTION IN the paper got about as much reaction as the ad. Aidan watched Shelby pace the length of his office before she turned around and went the other way.
“It’s just so strange,” she said as she walked back and forth. “Everything is changing. With Amber pregnant, I’ll have more responsibility at the bakery, which I like. But she won’t be around as much, which will make it harder to change things.” She looked at him. “I’m not comfortable just doing what I want without talking to her first and if she’s not there, she won’t be available to discuss anything.”
“Right. She also might feel so stressed about the baby that she doesn’t want to take on one more thing.”
“I know.” Shelby turned and walked back the other way. “I’m happy for her. Really happy, but the timing. I wish we’d been able to do more. Plus, after the baby’s born she’s going to be busy, so talking to her then will be hard.”
“Are you that unhappy with how things are?”
“No. It’s good. I love my work. But we could be bigger. The building next to us won’t be available forever.” She grimaced. “Not that it matters. Amber would never agree to the expansion now. She’s got the baby to deal with. There would be expenses and construction and stress. It’s just that I had all these plans.”
He stood and moved toward her. “It’s okay.”
She came to a stop in front of him. “It’s kind of not.”
“Okay—then how about me saying you’ll get through this. We’ll talk about it and you’ll come up with some solutions.”
She looked at him. Her bangs were too long. They were practically in her eyes. The look was adorable.
One corner of her mouth turned up. “What you really want is to tell me exactly what to do. I appreciate that you’re not.”
“I’m here to listen.”
She leaned against him. Her forehead rested on his chest and her hands settled at his waist. “Why does life always have to have a sense of humor?” she asked, her voice muffled against her chest. “I’m such a bad person.”