Page 40 of Working For Her Sweet Treats

“What happened?”

“We need to talk.”

“I’m turning around.”

She ends the call without answering. Sweet Treats is dark except for the lights above the counter when I return. Ava stands behind it with both hands braced against the wood. The pink apron I wore earlier lies folded beside the register.

Her phone rests in front of her with the screen facing up. I see the email subject line before I reach her.

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION CONFIRMATION.

“You scheduled it,” she says.

There is no point pretending I don’t understand.

“Yes.”

“I told you after the event.”

“The inspection is Monday. That is after the event.”

Technically, I am right. The way Ava looks at me makes it clear that technical accuracy will not help.

“You asked whether I wanted you to look into the lights,” she says. “I said not yet.”

“I didn’t inspect anything.”

“You arranged for someone else to do it.”

“I reserved an appointment.”

“For my bakery.”

“The electrician is busy for the next two weeks. Monday was an opening.”

“You called an electrician about my building without asking me.”

“I wanted you to have the option.”

“I already had an option. I chose to wait.”

I take a breath and try to keep my voice calm. “The lights dimmed twice while the mixer was running. You have two ovens, refrigeration, commercial equipment, and an old panel. That isn’t something I’m willing to ignore.”

Her eyes flash. “You are not willing?”

“That came out wrong.”

“No, I think it came out exactly the way you meant it.”

I move closer to the counter, but Ava immediately straightens. The distance between us feels much greater than the few feet separating us.

“I didn’t authorize any work,” I say. “It’s only an inspection. If you don’t want it, I’ll cancel it.”

“The point is that you asked me what I wanted, and then you did what you wanted anyway.”

I look toward the ceiling lights. They are steady now, but that does not erase what I saw.

“I’m trying to keep you safe.”