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She got in her car and slammed the door He stepped back and watched her drive away

The sun arm on his back, not that he needed the heat His teh to chase away any chill

She still thought he was that naive kid she’d fooled five years ago But she rong He was going to take her down, break her and leave her, just as she’d done to him Then the past would be over and he would never look back

JESSE ARRIVED AT THE Keyes Bakery a little before six in theand she didn’t want to be late If things worked out and she actually filled in for Nicole, she would be getting there a whole lot earlier Sid and Phil started at three and she would be expected in around four-thirty

Years ago, she always complained about the early hours, but now she knew she wouldn’t mind She would be off by noon and able to spend the afternoon with Gabe

She walked to the rear door and stepped inside The sounds and sh, the sweetness of the frosting and cinnamon thickened the air She heardand conversation She headed for the latter

She found Sid standing by abowl He looked a little older, a little heavier He wore all white and seeing his fa," she said loudly

He turned toward her The scowl lifted and he actually grinned

"Jess! You’re back Nicole said you’d be working here again, but I didn’t know you were starting today Kid, how you doing?"

She rushed toward hi until her ribs hurt, but she didn’t coreat, Sid How are you?"

"Sa busy So what’s this I hear about youon a recipe for a while now," she said as he released her "They’re really good"

"Uh-huh I’ll let you knohat I think It’s one thing to cook in your kitchen, it’s another to h, kid?"

"We’ll find out"

She didn’ther to prove herself Sid had always been fair with her If he liked the brownies, he would tell her There wouldn’t be any subtext or hidden agenda

Sid led her around and introduced her to a h

"Where’s Phil?" she asked

"Florida, if you can believe it He and his on a two-million-dollar lotto and took off for the sunshine Lucky SOB"

He continued talking about Phil and his good fortune Jesse took the opportunity to look around

The equipment was exactly as she remembered The saraded She’d been doing a lot of research and she knew they could buy sy-efficient ovens that worked better and faster than what they had now The same with all the mixers Not that she would mention any of that to Nicole Her sister wouldn’t be interested in her ideas--not for a while

"I’ to have to prove myself," Jesseto yourself? That’s new"

She laughed "Sometimes I was the only adult in the room I’ll try to reht You had a kid"

"A boy Gabriel Gabe He’s great"

"So you gonna bring him around to meet his uncle Sid?"

Jesse nodded then threw herself at the older man "I missed you"

He smoothed her hair "I missed you, too, Jess I was real sorry that you and your sister fell out with each other It was a shame"

Jesse didn’t want to talk about that "Can you show et started with the brownies?"

"Sure I’ve pulled off a couple of guys to help you Nicole said you get the college help"

Jesse wrinkled her nose Great Her sister had assigned her the summer employees who had no real experience Yet more evidence that Nicole wasn’t exactly on board with the brownie idea Not that itto make this a success despite any obstacles thrown in her way

"Any help is appreciated," Jesse said

"Good attitude Jasper’s okay Jasper Can you believe it? That’s his real naot sonore it and him" Sid pointed to a back corner of the kitchen where an ancient ," Jesse o

"Sorry That’s what the boss said Oh, and she wanted me to tell you not to onna sell" He shrugged "You know Nicole"

"Oh, yeah I know her"

Jesse found her help and introduced herself They were both young and obviously just putting in their tiredients she would need, then set out the few special ite to be uys "I rented a kitchen to work out the probleer than I’ve already done" She couldn’t afford tothat Nicole was more than ready to toss her out on her ass

She sent DC to find the right size pans and had Jasperday, then she smoothed out her recipe and went to work