Let's Bake a Deal, page 11
“Oh,” he replied artlessly as he put his phone away. Remo didn’t know if she wanted him to prompt her with questions or just listen. His moment of quiet reflection sprang back like a rubber band, and he scooted to the edge of the bed to stare his sister down.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? It would have been nice to not feel so alone in this family!” Remo flung his hand out to encompass the rest of the family downstairs.
Quiet tears ran down Stephanie’s face. “Because for a very long time I wasn’t ready to accept that part of myself. At first, I wasn’t sure, but then I was in denial because the first girl I really liked despised me after I tried to tell her how I felt. We were best friends...”
“Elizabeth,” Remo said with a nod of understanding.
Though Stephanie was a few years older than him, he remembered when suddenly she and Elizabeth were no longer friends. She cried in her room for days and wouldn’t explain what had happened.
Stephanie hugged herself tightly and told him more of her story. “Then there was how Mom, and Dad, everyone but Nonna, treated you. I was too scared to tell them about me. I didn’t want to be the target of their judgment and misunderstanding, but I tried to stick up for you when I could. Even if I couldn’t be truthful about myself, I could be brave for you.”
She had been in her own way. His sister deflected most attention away from herself, except when she was singing or playing guitar, but she’d been a shield for him.
Remo tried to catch her eyes. “What made you tell me now?”
“Because it feels like a thousand cuts every day I hide who I really am, and I’m slowly dying in a cage I made for myself.” She put her fingers against her mouth and blinked through more tears. “I can’t do this anymore, Remo.”
He stood up from the bed and went to his sister to hug her. She held onto him for almost a full minute like he was a life preserver. Then she let him go and tried to make a joke.
“When I was a teenager, I used to wonder if me being bisexual is what made you asexual,” she said with a self-deprecating smile.
Remo blinked at her in confusion and then started laughing. “So you’re telling me you thought sexuality was portioned out like cups of flour? Stephanie got two cups, so there wasn’t any left over for Remo?”
Wincing, she said, “Yes? That sounds so child-like, doesn’t it?”
“A little. You were doing your best, and it’s confusing for all of us.” He sat back down on the bed and thought for a moment. “Maybe not all of us. Adam is bisexual.”
“Oh, I know!” Stephanie replied with more of her usual energy. “Let me tell you, bi-dar is real. Adam had me pegged at forty paces.”
“If he’s lucky, maybe one day you’ll have him pegged, too.”
Remo’s delivery was deadpan, and he struggled to keep his laughter in check as he waited for his sister’s reaction. Stephanie looked at him incredulously before throwing her hand over her eyes and giggling.
“DeAnna’s bi, too,” Remo told her. “I asked about the bi pride colors she was wearing, and now I feel dumb for not noticing you’ve been doing the same thing.”
Instead of growling at the other woman’s name, Stephanie’s mouth fell open for a few seconds. “She is?”
“Told me herself like I’m the bi whisperer.”
“I guess you are.” She sat down hard in his chair.
After a silent moment came and went, Stephanie asked, “What are you going to do about Eva?”
“Get my shit together and apologize. I don’t know if she’ll want anything to do with me afterwards,” Remo lamented, “but I have to take that chance.”
“Yeah, sharing your heart with the one you love—” He looked at her sharply enough that she changed her tune. “I’m sorry, the one you like really strongly—is always a gamble. But I think this might turn out okay.”
“And if it doesn’t, I can always run away in shame and never bake in this town again,” Remo said. “But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
CHAPTER TEN
On Monday afternoon, Eva sat in her office trying to put together an order. Since Adam’s creative talks had been gaining popularity, the toys and other aids he’d been discussing had a spike in sales. She was filling out an online order form when a knock sounded at her open door.
Eva looked up to see Teresa Belli looking smart in a classy outfit that might work in a garden club. Too many thoughts flashed through Eva’s mind at seeing the older woman, but embarrassment at having deceived her and curiosity about Remo were the two top notes.
She’d needed time to clear her head, so Eva hadn’t gone to the Sunday dinner. It felt weak not to go, but then again, their dating plot had been exposed as a sham.
“Please, come in,” Eva said as she stood and gestured to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Thank you, no,” Teresa said, sitting down and putting her small purse in her lap. “I came to talk to you, my dear.”
Eva winced, fearing the verbal lashing Teresa was about to unleash upon her. “I thought I’d be the last person you’d want to see.
“Maybe you are the last person I’m seeing,” she replied with a devilish twinkle in her eyes. “It has been a few days since you and Remo had your very revealing kiss.”
Eva ran her fingers through her hair, combing out the green-tinted tendrils that framed her face like vines. “How badly did it blow up in his face?”
“He and his father had a lot of words yesterday,” Teresa said. “Remo said he’d leave if he had to, and I believe him.”
It wasn’t a complete surprise because they had talked about what they’d do if their dreams didn’t work out. Eva would miss Remo deeply. Her eyes started to water, but she blinked quickly to get that particular emotion under control.
“You’re the one with the power to affect his decision since the bakery is yours,” Eva said. “Don’t let our lie make you think poorly of him. Remo would be an excellent bakery manager.”
“I know, and he will be one day. But not yet.”
She almost dared not to ask, but Eva had to know. “Is that because you want grandbabies?”
The older woman glanced away. “It seems you weren’t the only one with a ruse.”
“I see.”
Eva didn’t exactly, but her heart constricted for Remo. She blinked away tears that wanted to fall. He promised he’d leave if he had to, and she’d miss him much more than she thought possible.
“And how are things going for your business?” asked Nonna Teresa.
“Thankfully, things have been moving in a positive direction, and a lot of that is because of Remo,” Eva said. “I had a productive conversation with Mrs. Forsythe about bringing some topics and supplies for older women. She was also talking about getting more women she knows in the door, perhaps with ladies only shopping hours for those with a shyer constitution.”
“That’s good.” Nonna Teresa resettled herself in the seat. “I watched you when you came to town, and you’ve tried to do good here. You’ve worked hard. I thought you’d be a good match for my grandson if he ever came home, and I was right.”
They were nice words, but confusing ones too. The only Belli who had tried to get to know her before Remo was Fabian. When was Teresa observing her and making conclusions about her character? Eva wanted to ask her, but Nonna side-stepped to a different memorable moment.
“I know you and Remo were not dating when I walked in on you that morning. I am neither naive nor a fool. You two certainly weren’t having sex in my bakery.”
Eva made the obvious joke. “Unfortunately, now he and I must try to do exactly that. Just to defy expectations.”
Nonna Teresa leveled her with an amused and doubtful expression. “When Remo was a boy, he was happy and gregarious, but as social pressures with dating grew, he became withdrawn. I’d already seen it happen to one of my other grandchildren, so I shouldn’t have been surprised.”
She stopped herself with a wave. “But I digress, and that is not my secret to tell. The thing I want for both of them is friendship and belonging. Love if they can find it. You have feelings for my Remo. Good ones. You could pretend otherwise, but that would be your biggest lie.”
Eva saved the order she’d been working on so she could come back later. Then she closed the browser on her computer.
In the days since Remo had kissed her for his family’s benefit, she’d been thinking about the kiss too much. The thing that made her most upset about the whole deal was that she wanted him to care about her for real because her heart was quickly becoming his.
“He makes me boring flavors just because I like them,” she said softly. “Remo could make anything in any wild flavor, and I can tell he wants to stretch his abilities. But... he’ll make something for me even when I’m being basic and plain.”
Eva held her elbows as she continued her confession. “On Sundays, I look forward to sleeping with him. He’ll wrap me in his arms, and we’ll tell each other secrets and dreams. His voice is like warm maple syrup, and I have to stop myself from ravishing him. It’s not the relationship we agreed to have.”
She could feel her cheeks flaming, but the truth with Teresa was important if they were going to mend bridges. “He fills an emptiness inside me that I didn’t even know I had until it wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t have anyone close to me other than Adam, but Remo blew past those walls like they were nothing.”
Chuckling defensively, Eva continued, “I’m not going to call it love yet. If I did say it, I’d like Remo to be the one who hears it first. If that’s the direction we take.”
“Then maybe you should talk to him,” Teresa told her lightly with an encouraging smile. “The sooner, the better. When you come to dinner on Sunday, bring your brother with you. He’s a handsome devil.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate the invitation.”
“Now that we’ve cleared the air,” Nonna said with a twinkle in her eyes, “I want to lead my own discussion night. Your brother is a charming man, but there are things that I am better equipped to handle than he is.”
Eva leaned back in her chair. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”
Nonna Teresa did more than that. She pulled a paper from her handbag that outlined her discussion topic, the biggest points she would try to make, and what merchandise she would be able to move if people were interested in what she had to say. The plan was simple, but it worked enough for Eva to assess her again.
“I understand now why that bakery is still yours.” Eva paused because there was one important thing she needed to ask. “How much will Belli’s baked goods cost me now?”
“Oh, I think we can work out a deal,” Nonna Teresa said with a wicked smile.
AFTER REMO’S TALK WITH Stephanie Sunday afternoon, he had hoped to talk to Nonna, but she made herself scarce. Mrs. Forsythe had come to the house to get her, and then they stayed out the rest of the night. Well, maybe not all night, but because of his baker’s hours Remo was in bed long before Nonna came home.
On Monday, he had his normal workday, and upon returning home, Nonna was gone again. He might have to camp outside her bedroom door if he was going to talk to her. Before he could track her down, Remo went to the kitchen to make himself an afternoon coffee.
His mother sat at the kitchen table, looking out to the window with a dreamy look in her eyes. A travel magazine open to a picture of Lake Como sat on the table in front of her. Both Stephanie and Stella had gotten their looks from her, and in the afternoon light, Belinda Belli could be the subject of a Renaissance painting. Remo quickly snapped a photo of her profile before she moved.
“Hi, Mom,” he said after the sound effect got her attention. “Do you want me to fix you a coffee?”
“Sure,” she said, putting the magazine in her bag.
His mother had been longing for Italy for more than ten years. Remo had hoped that taking over the bakery would lead to her dream being fulfilled. Too bad his good intentions ended up being another in a long list of things that got on his father’s nerves.
He prepared both cups of coffee and set hers down before her.
Belinda was usually quiet, but this time she started talking first. “Your father isn’t a bad man, Remo. He’s tried his best.”
He sipped his coffee and counted to ten several times before saying, “If his best is verbal abuse and casual homophobia, I’d hate to see him at his worst.”
If his mother had a retort, it was drowned out by Nonna Teresa who hummed a jaunty tune as she walked toward the kitchen. Remo jumped up from his chair because he knew he needed to seek her forgiveness.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, Nonna,” he said before she could disappear on him like a disapproving Italian ghost. “About dating Eva.”
She laughed. “If you think for a moment I didn’t know what you were up to, you take me for a stupid woman. Is that what you think of me, Remo?”
“No... but you’ve said you wanted babies, and I might never give you that.”
Stepping closer to him, Nonna softly said, “I know. It was never really about that. I wanted you to have someone in your life, whether a friend or a romantic partner. Life is easier when you have someone to share your burdens. Now, I very much like Eva, and judging from the real dates you went on, I think you do, too.”
“I do.” He rubbed his hand on his neck in embarrassment and remembered how Eva had been intuitive and kind when they first met. “We were just supposed to pretend to like each other until I could prove to you I was worthy to take over the bakery.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “You got caught in the trap you thought you were setting for me. I think that’s rather fitting.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I want her to be my girlfriend for real, even if I no longer work for Belli’s Bakery.”
“The bakery will be yours one day if you still want it,” Nonna said with a hand to his cheek, “but not now, my dear. I know your father’s faults, but I also want you to explore your options.”
Remo usually trusted his nonna, but what she just said sounded like a complete contradiction to her long-standing stance on wanting more great-grandchildren. He wasn’t going to enter that mire. The one option he wanted to explore most was if he could have something real and official with Eva.
“In the meantime,” Nonna announced with the pomp of a diva, “I will be leading the next discussion topic at The Love Shack, so you’d better make your best treats yet. I will be inviting everyone I know.”
“You’re speaking at The Love Shack?” Belinda shared a confused expression with her son.
“Where do you two think I just came from? I had a nice chat with Miss Stephens about a few possibilities.” Nonna paused and leveled a hard look at Remo. “You had better make up with her, and do it the right way. She’s quite the catch.”
“Yes, Nonna,” he grumbled.
EVA WAS NOT PREPARED for Thursday evening to turn out the way it did. Nonna Teresa had promised to call her extensive network of friends and help spread the word that she was leading that week’s discussion. Though Eva was cautiously hopeful, one of her employees called in sick, which meant that Eva would be on the sales floor instead of supervising any shenanigans that Nonna might get up to. Adding to the stress of it all, the order wasn’t ready when Adam went over to the bakery that afternoon—at his assistance because Eva had not been avoiding Remo. They had absolutely nothing spread out for potential audience members to eat.
It might not have been so bad if that audience had been as skimpy as it had been during the first few talks. But no. Everyone that Nonna had ever talked to in her long life seemed to walk through the door until it was filled with a variety of people Eva hadn’t seen in her shop before. There were so many that she wondered if The Love Shack was in danger of violating the fire marshal’s capacity limits.
“How did you know about us?” Eva asked one of the customers who’d asked for a binder.
“Caleb Forsythe’s mom told me.”
Eva pressed her hand to her heart and felt misty-eyed. It wasn’t just Nonna who was spreading the word, but other women in the community too. She might not have treats for everyone, but she finally had people.
The front doors flew open, and Teresa, Remo, Stephanie, Stella, and Fabian walked in as if heralded by trumpets. The siblings were also carrying large boxes of baked goods. Eva was helping a customer, so she shot Adam a look to take care of it. He greeted Teresa with a kiss on her knuckles and then wedged himself between Remo and Stephanie with an arm around each of their waists. The siblings set up the refreshment table while Teresa networked with everyone in her potential audience.
“I don’t have enough chairs,” Eva mumbled to herself.
She looked over at the table again to admire Remo in his navy blue shirt and fitted jeans. He’d been telling his siblings to do something if his gestures pointing at boxes and table placement was anything to go by. He looked handsome and competent, which made Eva sigh. Remo looked up as if he heard her and smiled softly. Eva inclined her head to him and then turned her attention back to her customer.
At the start of the program, Adam quieted the audience and introduced Nonna Teresa, who walked on stage full of self-possessed dignity.
“I don’t play drums as Adam does, but I can be entertaining in my own way. I used to be quite the dancer.” She mimed a tap dance routine with an invisible cane. “When I was young, I wasn’t encouraged to ask questions about sex or learn about different sexualities. I was not told that I deserved pleasure. I’m older now, and it’s time to talk about enjoyable sex at any age, even mine, which I will not be telling you.”
Then Teresa was off with conversational bon mots flying at record speed. She captivated the room and held the audience in the palm of her hand. Unfortunately for Eva, she couldn’t sneak over and talk to Remo. He was obediently listening to his nonna’s presentation like it had been a requirement for attendance. She was still helping customers who had come in because of the lecture but hadn’t found a seat.
