Yvette reminded herself to tell Amelia that she’d been right about everything leading back to Teresa. No matter how many times Amelia told her to keep her nose in her own business, Yvette couldn’t deny just how good her friend was at getting to the bottom of things.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Max asked.
“It is but now I’ve lost everything. My boyfriend, multiple jobs, my dreams and even my home,” Gina admitted. “I lied to you Yvette, making you think Henry was a terrible manager, so she’d go back and tell Emma.” She looked to Henry. “You were so kind to me and I felt bad. I guess I thought it’d be better if you got fired rather than continuing to get scammed by Teresa. I know how that feels all too well.”
“I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with all of this and I’m sorry that you felt you needed to lie to me just to help her. You are more than good enough to get on the show all on your own. You never needed Teresa’s help.” Henry looked her in the eyes. “But, I think it’s time for you to go.”
Gina looked around the table at all the people she had hurt and brushed away the tears that had begun to fall. “Thanks for hearing me out. I’m sorry to all of you, for everything.”
Yvette, Max and Henry watched as Gina left the shop and all sat in silence for a few minutes.
“Well, it’s certainly been an interesting week. Max, thanks for everything. You’ve been wonderful to work for and if you’re ever in Heritage, come by the shop to see me. Henry, I’d love to keep in touch with you and offer you any help I can as far as Sundae Afternoon goes. I think you’ve learned a valuable lesson here and I’m sure Emma will be reasonable when you two talk. On that note, I’m heading home. I have Sunday dinner planned with my family.”
Yvette left Townsend and hoped that her next trip there would be much more uneventful.
17
Charlie and Abigail Lockhart sat around the wicker patio table on their screened-in porch. They’d just finished their dinner and were waiting on their daughter to serve them dessert. Yvette came out the door of the house with her hands full.
“Let me help you!” Abigail said, jumping from her seat to hold the door.
“Whatcha got there?” Charlie asked, popping his head up trying to see around his wife.
“I didn’t feel like ice cream tonight. After the week I’ve had, I thought we needed something a little different.” Yvette set the tray she’d been carrying on the table in front of them.
“Is that chocolate cake?” Abigail’s eyes widened.
“Yup! I know it’s a little odd for me to bring this but after Damien was killed and Teresa was arrested, the staff decided to sell the rest of the desserts they had in stock to help support Damien’s funeral expenses.”
“That’s a little morbid, Yvette,” her mother scolded.
“I was only trying to be nice. Damien might not have been a great guy, but he didn’t deserve to die. Teresa was awful, and she’ll never see any of the money that the dessert bar makes from this, so I figured I might as well. I tried the cake when Amelia and I were out there the first time and it was one of the best tasting things I’ve ever had. I wanted to share it with you. Trust me. Just try it and you’ll change your mind.”
Charlie was the first to grab a fork and dig in, avoiding the side eye he received from his wife. “You weren’t kidding. This is the best cake I’ve ever eaten.”
Abigail hesitated before taking a taste of her own. “Okay, you got me,” she said. “It’s fantastic.”
Yvette giggled as she watched her parents eat bite after bite barely stopping to do anything but rave over how much they were enjoying it.
“I feel like we have to say this to you every other week but Yvette, once again, we’re glad you’re safe.” Abigail set her fork down and locked eyes with her daughter.
“Me too. I’m still a little upset with myself that I was so trusting. Nearly everyone that I came in contact with when I was in Townsend was lying to me or someone else,” Yvette said.
“You went there to do a job for Emma, though. Do you feel like you made her proud, even through all that mess?” Charlie asked.
“Henry was lied to as well. He wasn’t trying to be spiteful or hurt Emma or the company. He made bad choices, but I trust that he’s learned from this and will do much better moving forward. I’ll also admit that Teresa was so good at what she’d been doing that even I may have fallen for it,” Yvette said. “Henry’s always been a good manager and I think Sundae Afternoon means just as much to him as it does to me. It’s our second home.”
Also by Gretchen Allen
Sundae Afternoon Series
Book 1: Triple Dipped Murder
Book 2: Melt Down Murder
A Twist of Murder Page 7