She inspected the pies, attention entirely on the baked goods and decidedly not on him.
Whatever.
Frustration ticked through him. He shoved away from the pies and strode to the opposite end of the station.
Microphone in hand, Everson sent him an apologetic shrug and entered the area. "Ashley?"
In the corner of his vision, she squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose, then turned to face his teammate, her bright smile at odds with her wounded eyes. "Yes?"
"Can you tell us about your pies?"
"We each picked a recipe. I chose my mother's apple pie. We made it so many times together over the years. One of the first things she let me help with was layering the apples for this pie." A real smile creased her cheeks. "I was a little kid, and made such a mess. You saw the filling, right? Sugar and cinnamon. I got it everywhere. But Mom didn't get angry. She complimented my efforts. And when my little sister got old enough to help us bake, well, it was double the mess. But by that point, Mom was letting me measure out the ingredients and even help roll out the crust. She didn't care about how I got flour on the floor or spilled sugar on the table."
Her wistful tone tugged on Xavier's heart. He regretted the way everything had transpired that evening. Joining Ashley at the counter, he discretely laid his hand over hers and lightly squeezed. "I'll bet it rivaled the kitchen messes my brothers and I got into when we baked with our mom."
She turned and offered him a careful smile. "Sometimes, I get too caught up in things to remember to keep baking fun, and memories like the one I just shared are good reminders. Anyway, baking this pie is special to me because it was my mom's favorite, and I miss her every day. The other pie we made has a special story too. Xavier should tell you about that one."
Xavier couldn't force back his emotions when Ashley laced their fingers together. "The ricotta pie recipe has been in my family for years, passed down from my great-grandmother to my grandmother, to my mom, and then to us kids. I'll be honest, coming into this competition, I didn't have any real idea about what I was doing. Even as a kid, I was more interested in football than anything else. But when my mom got sick, spending time with her was all that mattered. My brothers and I did anything we could to lift her spirits. And one day, we decided that we should cook for her. By that point, she was spending most of her time in bed. Keep in mind that the oldest brother was ten at the time. I was only five. We made a mess. Flour was everywhere. Then my brothers Leo and Shane got into a competition to see who could toss pieces of dough the highest. As we learned that day, it can stick to the ceiling."
While the audience laughed, Xavier smiled at the memory. "My parents came in while we were wondering how to get the stuff off the ceiling. Instead of yelling at us, they laughed. Then my mom hugged us for trying to make the pie for her. And my dad helped us clean up and then make it for real. We didn't have her for long after that."
He swallowed against a thickening throat. No one was smiling now.
Tears shimmered in Ashley's eyes. She squeezed his hand, and he bit the inside of his cheek hard until he regained control.
Then he continued with his story. "But I wanted to make the pie because of the memory of how she smiled that day. If she could see it now, I think she'd be impressed by the way it turned out. Especially because I had Ashley to make sure I didn't mess up this time."
Ashley spoke softly. "Don't sell yourself short. You did a great job, Xavier. Your mom would be proud of you."
The sounds from the audience seemed so far away. He shifted closer to her. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"Me too."
A soft aww came from the audience, followed by the host's voice announcing the round's final minute.
As soon as the buzzer rang, Tyson invaded their station. He returned the rolling pin to Ashley and then he grabbed Xavier and lowered his voice. "Dude. I'm gonna kill him, or he's gonna kill me. He's so smug, I'm tempted to sabotage my own team."
"You can't do that."
"I know, I know. But it's a nice visualization."
He didn't mind being there for Tyson while he vented, but he wanted to talk to Ashley.
Tyson stayed until the judges came by to taste the pies. And while the judges deliberated, the producer pulled the bakers into a Q & A with the audience.
Finally the host returned with the results.
"Folks, we are pleased to announce the three teams continuing on to Round Three. They are... Team Sweet Treats and wide receiver Dion Davis." A smattering of applause followed. "...Team Blackstone's Bakery and quarterback Tyson Williams..." More applause echoed through the room. Tyson grinned and waved at the crowd.
Xavier held tight to Ashley's hand, needles of nerves pricking his stomach. Beside him, Ashley's breath hitched as the host raised the microphone to his lips. "And our final team to continue is... Team Bliss Bakery."
Relief flowed over him like a wave. Xavier slowly and deeply exhaled. He looked at Ashley, but her concentration remained focused on the host. "Thank you to all of our teams for participating. Audience, we hope to see all of you back here on Sunday evening for the final round of our competition!"
She finally met his gaze. Her anxious expression not at all matching the joyous excitement of the prior round's win. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. Remember, we have to be here early because they want to do interviews again."
No exclamation over their victory, no squeal of excitement, no happy clasping hug. He shook his head, baffled by her lack of response. "We just found out we're in the finals. Aren't you happy?"
Ashley grabbed her bag and gripped her keys in her hand. "Of course I am."
His concern grew. Something was wrong. More than just her earlier frustration with him. "Ash..."
"I have to go."
Everson entered their station, with Gary in tow. "Congratulations, guys. How does it feel to be advancing to the final round? Ashley?"
Her skin looked pale under the bright lights. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. "I'm thrilled. In fact, I'm heading to the bakery right now to get in a little more practice."
Xavier planted himself in her path. "Good idea. I'll join you."
A large hand clapped him on the shoulder. Everson thrust the microphone in Xavier's face. "Can you tell us what was going on during that rolling pin tug-o-war?"
Possible fabrications and veiled truths whirled in his thoughts. "We like to keep team issues within the team, but I can say that we both really wanted to roll out that damned pie crust."
When he turned toward Ashley, only an empty space remained.
Damn it.
She was short enough to get by without him noticing. He wrapped up the interview with lightning speed, all the while, searching the crowd. Had Ashley even remembered that Katie was in the audience? Moving fast, he pushed through the crowd until he reached Katie's side. "Got a minute?"
"Congratulations on reaching the final. Where did my sister go?"
"That's a good question. She was in a weird mood all day."
"Yeah, I, and probably all of the viewing audience, saw that." Katie bit her lip. "She's such a... I don't even know what... sometimes. It's like she thinks she needs to be a rock and isn't ever allowed to fall apart. Or she keeps everything all bottled up even when she's breaking inside."
His gaze darted to the door she'd likely exited. "Has something happened that could make her fall apart?"
Katie's sigh drew his attention back. "Obviously. Look, I could see that you guys weren't getting along today. Since my sister is always going out of her way to help me, I'm going to return the favor. And if she gets angry, well, I'll be heading back to Chicago soon."
"What's going on?"
"Can you give me a lift home? I'll tell you during the drive."
As soon as they climbed into the car, Katie started talking. "Ashley just sent me a text. She's going for a drive to clear her head. She was so worked up today, she forgot I was there. So, anyway... Ashley's the best. Whate
ver happened between you guys, you have to know that. She's gone above and beyond for me. But I worry about her because she's under so much pressure to win the competition."
He drove through the parking garage and carefully pulled onto the street. "What pressure? What do you mean?"
"There isn't any other way to keep Bliss." Her matter-of-fact statement caught him off guard.
Confused, he paused too long at a stop sign. "The bakery isn't doing okay?"
"We're deep in the red. It's because of what happened with my mom, and then with Blackstone's Bakery." Her solemn, direct gaze added depths of maturity to her youthful features. "Ashley put her life on hold to care for our mom. Being a caregiver is exhausting, but Ash never complained. My mom was adamant that I stay in school, but I flew home as much as I could, especially when we knew that Mom wouldn't be getting better."
"I'm so sorry about your mom."
"Thank you. The bakery probably would've been okay once we got back on track, but then Blackstone's moved in one block away. They have great branding and great marketing reach. Being on that reality show really elevated them. And we can't compete with the budget they have for TV and radio commercials and ads in national magazines. Our business isn't even a tenth of what it was before."
"So that's why Ash said they're your biggest rival." He drummed his hands on the wheel. "Damn it, I wish she would've said something."
"She tries to shield me from it too. But I know more than she thinks. We had a big discussion about it the other day. Bliss meant everything to our mom and to us. She got a letter from the bank today, denying us for a loan. That loan was Ash's last-ditch effort at keeping the bakery open. Now, it all comes down to a must-win situation at the competition. If you don't win, then we lose everything. If we can't make rent next month, she'll have to turn in the keys to the bakery and the apartment."
Shocked by the statement, he hit the gas pedal, launching the truck within inches of the van in front of them. Swearing, he slammed on the break, and waved an apology to the van ahead of them and the convertible behind him. When five car lengths of space separated him from any possible collisions, he glanced at Katie. "She'll be out on the street? How did that even happen?"
She turned toward the window. "To say it's been bad for a while is an understatement. I know that she signed up to teach baking classes at a night school next semester, but that doesn't solve any immediate problems. And I wouldn't let her not have a place to live. She could come back to Chicago with me and couch surf at my friends' houses."
They were silent for the rest of the drive. Thoughts of Ashley and his time with her played over and over again in his mind like a highlight reel.
When he pulled up behind the bakery, Katie paused with her hand on the door. "My sister hasn't let herself have fun in years. She's always been the rock in the family, but she needs someone to lean on too. I hope things work things out with you guys, long-term. You're so good for her. Since she's started spending time with you, she's been happy."
With a wave, she dashed out of the car and into the building.
He drove away, heart heavy, troubled by the information, and not having any idea how to make anything better. Somehow, Ashley had slipped past his defenses. He cared, more than he had ever cared about anyone outside of family. He didn't know what to do about it. He didn't have a clue. This wasn't a normal situation, the added stress of the competition hung between them as deep and wide as a canyon. Competing together without tension getting between them was impossible. The need to win was too great.
If he lost the competition, he'd fail his foundation. Frowning, he hunched his shoulders. A new thought, a new fear narrowed his vision until nothing else remained but the woman with the dancing eyes.
If he lost the competition, would he also lose her?
After a sleepless night, he still didn't have any idea how to help her, but he needed to talk to her. Ryan gave him the perfect excuse when he called to complain that he'd ruined their dad's birthday cake.
At noon, Xavier drove to the bakery. As he passed Blackstone's, he noticed the steady stream of customers coming out of the shop. When he walked into Bliss a few minutes later, the contrast of the empty store was staggering.
The bell over the door jangled, and footsteps came from the kitchen area. Hands in his pockets, he waited by the counter.
Ashley's eyes widened as she came closer. She slowly tilted her head to keep hold of his gaze. Dark shadows emphasized the vulnerability in her eyes. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep, much like him. An ache quickly throbbed under his chest. "I didn't expect to see you today."
His confidence dipped when he couldn't read her expression. What if she didn't let him in? He had plenty of experience in keeping people at arm's length. They were only separated by a few feet. Why did he feel like they were separated by miles? "I wanted to talk to you."
"I wanted to talk to you too. I apologize for how I acted yesterday. I'd received some bad news, and shouldn't have let it affect me."
Yep. A total rock.
"I spoke to your sister. I know about the loan, and how Blackstone's is affecting you, and your situation. I'm sorry about everything you're shouldering. I wish you'd told me things were as bad as they are."
Her mouth opened and closed and she glared at the ceiling and murmured something he couldn't hear. When she faced him again, a flush had flamed into her cheeks. "My sister shouldn't have said anything. It's my problem, not yours."
Reaching his arm out to her, Xavier closed the distance between them, but Ashley kept her arms at her sides, her expression like stone.
"I want to help, Ash." He touched her arm the way he'd test a cake for coolness—cautiously and carefully. "Please, talk to me."
She sighed, a long, slow, careful expulsion of breath, and rolled her shoulders. "It's bad. My landlord has been more than fair. I'm behind two month's rent on both the apartment and the bakery, and if I can't give it all to him, plus this month's, by the fifteenth, I'll lose the store and the apartment."
"I know you're attached to this space, but have you thought about moving?"
"I've looked into it, but moving costs money that we don't have. And that doesn't factor in any renovations a space might need. I've considered closing the store and baking out of my kitchen, but that won't make orders roll in. I've tried everything I could think of to drum up business, but I can't compete with Blackstone's." Distress crept into her voice and her troubled gaze pulled at something deep in Xavier's soul.
Investing in Bliss wouldn't happen unless he could look at the financials and make a solid business decision, but he didn't have any qualms about covering her rent for a bit. "Maybe I can help."
She immediately shook her head. "No. Thank you, but no. Money makes things complicated."
"Your situation is already pretty complicated."
"Still. It would constantly be hanging over my head. I can't. But thank you." Her hand lightly brushed against his cheek. "The offer on its own was sweet. I don't want you to start thinking of me as a charity case. Or as one of those users you were telling me about yesterday morning."
"One thing I'm sure of is that you're not a user." He cradled her face in his hands, smoothing the lines of worry with gentle fingertips. Bending low, he slowly brought his mouth to hers. Lips fit and slanted, and he poured all of the support and care he felt into the kiss. Ashley's arms came around him, holding tight.
Moving his fingers through her hair, he buried his hands in the rich, dark brown and snuggled closer. Her eyes fluttered open. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "You're not alone in this. You need to learn to lean on someone else. Lean on me, even if it's only for a little while."
Closing her eyes, she buried her face in her chest. He stroked her back, and with the rise and fall of her muscles, he felt each steady, deep breath. It was quiet, so quiet. No sounds from the bakery, no sounds from the street, no sounds from anywhere. He didn't know how long they stood, wrapped together. All that m
attered was she needed him, and she was letting him in.
Ashley slowly raised her head. "Thank you." Her expression was so serious, her tone so grateful, as though his offer of comfort meant more to her than if he'd handed her a check for the grand prize.
"Anytime." He meant it. Warmth moved through him, echoed in the soft breeze blowing around them from the overhead fan. The woman in his arms was strength and determination and radiance and hidden vulnerability. He realized he cared, really cared, for her. But could she open herself enough to care for him?
"Today's my dad's birthday. I'd like you to come to dinner with my family tonight." Family dinner was a big deal. If he brought her, his family would see it as significant. He hadn't brought anyone to dinner in years.
Hope filled her eyes, but she shook her head. "Oh no, I couldn't. It's a family party, you should be—"
"I want you there." With a gentle hand, Xavier tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips brushed the side of her neck, and she shivered in response. "Please come."
"All right. But I can't come empty-handed. What should I bring?"
He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. "Know where I might be able to get a birthday cake at the last minute?"
A smile lit up her face. "I just might."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Ashley grasped Xavier's hand, trying to quell the butterflies in her stomach. The living room of the elder Brennan's home was decorated with a colorful array of balloons and a large Happy Birthday sign hanging over the couch. Framed photos of Xavier and his brothers adorned two walls. Several more sat on end tables and shelves.
Xavier ruffled Ryan's hair as they walked in. "Looks great in here. Nice job."
"Tell that to Shane. The whole time we were setting up, he complained that I'd overdone it. But then he ran out and came back with a dozen more balloons."
Xavier led the way into the kitchen. The small room, with its buttercream walls and dark cabinets, was inviting and cozy. Sunlight streamed in through the window on the back door.
Hometown Hero Page 10