Loving

Lyra Mitchell is the owner and operator of 'The Sweet Spot', a local bakery in New York. One day, when a little girl walks in, Lyra's life changes forever.

Brandon Cole is the CEO of Cole Enterprises. Rich and young, he is any girl's perfect man. And while Brandon had a wide selection of girls to choose from, he wasn't interested. The only girls who had a place in his heart were his mother and his daughter. But one little phone call changes it all.

Lyra

I had a batch of cupcakes in the oven, a cake to be frosted, and a line out the door. Holidays are always the busiest time for me, but Valentine's Day is the worst. Everyone wants chocolate dipped strawberries and heart shaped cakes. And since Valentines Day is tomorrow, I literally have a line out the door. Last I checked, it went half a block.

"Here you go Mr. Wonelski," I said as I handed the elderly man the same cupcakes he got his wife every year since I opened the shop.

"Thank you Lyra, you're the best."

I waved goodbye to my favorite customer and welcomed up the next while also juggling ovens and frosting and phone orders.

It went on like this until five o'clock when the shop closed and my line was gone. I went up to the front to lock the door when a small voice met my ears. "Hello?"

I jumped in shock and turned around. There, at my counter, was a little girl. She couldn't reach the top so I hadn't seen her. I wonder how long she'd been there.

"Hello sweetheart, how can I help you?"

I slowly approached the girl, who couldn't have been older than five, and knelt down in front of her. She had tears on her cheeks and her lip was wobbling. "I'm lost."

I wiped the girl's tears away and picked her up. "What's your name?" I asked as I placed her on the counter.

"Macie."

"Well Macie, would you like a cupcake?"

Macie nodded vigorously and her tears were instantly gone. Cupcakes fixed everything.

I handed the little girl one of the cupcakes I had just frosted. "What are your parents' names?" Maybe I could find a phone number online or something.

"My daddy is Brandon Cole," she said and I gasped. Brandon Cole is the richest man in New York. He probably has entire search parties out for this kid.

I pulled out my phone and looked up Cole Enterprises. I didn't know any other way to reach this man.

"Hello?" Came the voice of the receptionist.

"Um, hi," I started. "This is going to sound weird, but I have Mr. Cole's daughter."

"What?!"

"Sorry, sorry, not like that. She wandered into my bakery, lost."

"I'll transfer you to Mr. Cole."

The receptionist sounded worried and that made me worried.

The phone seemed to ring forever and with each second that passed, I grew more and more nervous. This is the most powerful man in New York, and I have his daughter. Not in a kidnappy way, but he could look at it like that.

"Hello?" Came a deep voice.

"Hi. I'm Lyra Mitchell, I own The Sweet Spot bakery and your daughter walked in here by herself a few minutes ago. I just wanted to find her parents and then she said it was you so I called your receptionist and now here we are." I laughed nervously after my rambling word vomit was done.

"Is she ok?" Mr. Cole asked, clearly worried about his daughter.

"Oh, yes. She was crying a little before, but I gave her a cupcake and now she's fine. I hope that was ok."

"Yes, of course. I'll be right there. You said The Sweet Spot?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there as fast as I can."

Mr. Cole hung up the phone and I turned my attention back to Macie, who had finished her cupcake by this point.

"Your daddy is on the way Macie," I told her.

"Yay! Daddy!"

I couldn't help but laugh as the little girl cheered with her hands and face covered in frosting. "Why don't we wash up before he gets here?"

Macie agreed so I took her into the back and helped her clean up. Just as I finished drying her hands off, the bell to the front door rang. Macie jumped off the counter and ran out front. I threw my towel down and quickly rushed after her.

"Daddy!" she shouted.

I went through the curtain and found Macie in the arms of Brandon Cole. I'd seen pictures before of course, but he looks so much better in person. You could really see the silky smoothness of his dark brown hair and he really filled up the space. I'd never known how tall he was, but now that I'm in front of him, I feel so small. He must be at least 6'2".

"You must be Ms. Mitchell," he said and I snapped to attention.

"Yes, that would be me."

"Thank you so much for taking care of her. I don't know what happened. She was supposed to be with her babysitter."

"Oh, it was no problem," I assured him.

"Well, thank you."

I nodded and shook Mr. Cole's outstretched hand. Sparks flew up my arm at his touch and I felt like I was soaring. And when he pulled back his hand, I felt suddenly empty.

"Where?is?Ms. Martin?" Mr. Cole suddenly asked and my attention turned back to him and Macie who shrugged her shoulders. "I was with her and then I wasn't."

"Well she will no longer be your babysitter. We will find someone new, better," Mr. Cole told her and then mumbled, "by tomorrow."

"I take holidays off, even Valentines Day, so I could watch her if you need," I offered. Mr. Cole probably wouldn't want a complete stranger watching his child, but it felt like the right thing to do. And I liked Macie.

Mr. Cole pondered it for a second and then turned back to me. "You don't have plans?"

"Just me, my couch, and a pint of ice cream."

"I like ice cream!" Macie piped in and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ok," Mr. Cole said after thinking for another minute. "If you're sure it's ok with you."

"I'm sure."

Mr. Cole and I exchanged numbers and we each went our separate ways. Him with Macie and me by myself; as per usual.

Brandon

I was livid when I got that call from Ms. Mitchell. Not at her, but at Ms. Martin, Macie's actual babysitter. First, she loses Macie. And then, she doesn't even call me. She was probably too scared. And she should've been. Anything could've happened to Macie. Ms. Martin should be thanking her lucky stars that Macie is safe. Otherwise being fired would be the least of her problems.

"Ms. Martin is here," my secretary buzzed up and I told her to let her in.

Putting on a cool mask, I waited at my desk for Ms. Martin. When she got to my office I nodded at the chair in front of my desk, motioning for her to sit down, but didn't say anything. I just waited, staring her down as she fidgeted.

"I'm sorry!" She finally burst out. "I didn't mean to-"

"But you did!" I cut her off, my voice booming. "Anything could have happened to her while you were off doing God knows what."

I took a deep breath and Ms. Martin whimpered another apology.

"Where were you anyways?" What I didn't ask was?What is more important than my daughter's safety?

"We were walking to the toy store because Macie's favorite doll broke. We were almost there when a bunch of runners came through and we were split apart. You know how New York sidewalks can be."

"And you didn't see it fit to call me?"

"I thought I could find her myself," she said.

"And yet, you didn't. You're fired. I never want to see you around here again."

I saw Ms. Martin's eyes fill with tears as she rushed out and I almost felt bad. Almost. But not really. It was her own damn fault that this happened and she should own up to it instead of crying into her pillow.

Sighing, I looked at my watch and saw it was time to leave. Since I didn't have a babysitter, I made one of the interns watch Macie. They were just in the other room where I could easily check on them. The reason I needed a sitter was because I had a date tonight and I clearly couldn't cancel on Valentines Day. Claire would kill me.

So, I gathered my things and got Macie down to the car. I was going to drop her off at Ms. Mitchell's house and then grab Claire. She wasn't the biggest fan of Macie which didn't sit right with me, but I was hoping she would eventually grow fond of her.

The drive to Ms. Martin's was relatively close. She lived in an apartment that was right above her bakery. It was convenient and I could definitely admire that.

____________________________________

Lyra

I was sitting on my couch with a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough when the doorbell rang. I put down my ice cream and rushed to get it.

I opened the door for Mr. Cole and it was then that I realized I had never changed out of my sweats. He probably thinks I'm a hobo or something. Great.

"Hello Mr. Cole, Macie. Please come in."

I stepped aside so the duo could come in and closed the door behind them. Mr. Cole was looking around my apartment. I'd made sure it was clean and neat, but it still wasn't up to the standards he was used to. Most of my stuff was from IKEA and garage sales; I can guarantee he does not frequent those.

"Nice place," he said and I couldn't tell if he was being genuine or sarcastic.

"Thanks."

Once Mr. Cole was done assessing my home, he turned to me and we went over everything I'd need to know about Macie. She seemed like a pretty easy kid to watch; no allergies, no behavioral issues, etc.

"All right Macie, I'll pick you up later," Mr. Cole said and gave Macie one last hug. She suddenly seemed a little shy and I felt the need to reassure her. "We are going to have such a good time," I told her and held onto her hand as Mr. Cole left.

"So, what should we do?" I asked Macie who shrugged her shoulders. "Do you like ice cream?"

Macie eyed the ice cream on the table and nodded vigorously. Yeah, we were going to be fine.

I had a great time with Macie. She is very smart for a four year old and we had some nice conversations. We also played with some dolls she brought and ate some ice cream. Then, we made some cupcakes for her to bring home with her. She decorated them herself and was very proud of them.

But it was getting late and Macie was tired, so I put her in my bed to get some sleep. I didn't know when Mr. Cole would be back so I didn't see any point in keeping her awake. She would just be exhausted tomorrow and that would be no good.

Around eleven thirty, there was a knock on the door. It was, of course, Mr. Cole.

"Hi Mr. Cole. Macie is asleep in my room. I can go get her."

"That's ok, I can grab her."

I showed Mr. Cole to my bedroom where Macie was snuggled up in my blankets. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. She was sucking her thumb just like I used to when I was young.

Mr. Cole expertly picked Macie up without waking her up.

He started walking to the door, but I stopped him with an "Oh!" He looked over and I rushed to the kitchen.

"Macie and I made cupcakes for you to take home. She decorated them herself and was so excited to give them to you."

I handed Mr. Cole the box and he smiled at me. "Thank you," he said, looking into my eyes. His were brown with gold flecks and I felt as if they were looking into my soul.

"Brandon?" A high pitched voice asked. I turned to the door where a beautiful woman stood. She looked like a model with her perfectly tanned skin and golden blonde hair.

"I thought you were waiting in the car Claire," Mr. Cole sighed.

"Well, you were taking too long." Claire turned her nose up in the air as a sign of superiority.

"It's been five minutes."

Mr. Cole seemed annoyed, but I wasn't positive. I'm assuming Claire is his girlfriend since he's spending Valentines with her so why would he be hostile to her?

"I'll be two minutes," I heard Mr. Cole say.

Claire huffed, but went back to the car to wait.

"Sorry about her," Mr. Cole said.

"It's fine."

"Thanks for watching Macie."

"Anytime," I told him. "She's amazing."

Mr. Cole gazed down at his daughter in his arms. "Yeah, she is isn't she."

Then his head snapped back up. "Well, I should be going."

I nodded and walked Mr. Cole to the door. "Seriously, thank you for watching her tonight," Mr. Cole said and handed me a check.

"You don't have to pay me," I told him. "I was happy to do it."

But Mr. Cole wasn't going to let me give the check back so I sighed and thanked him. Satisfied, Mr. Cole left and I closed the door with a soft smile on my face.

Brandon

"Daddy," Macie groaned, tugging on my sleeve. "I want a cupcaaaaaaaake."

I sighed and pulled my daughter into my lap. "I have to get some work done," I explained to her.

It's been a week since I fired Ms. Martin and I still haven't found a suitable replacement so Macie has been stuck here with me. It isn't very fun for her and I feel bad, but I don't have another option right now.

"But I want a cupcake."

Macie was pouting and I felt so bad for her. She's been such a good sport and she does deserve a cupcake. "Ok. Let's go."

Macie cheered and I knew I was just teaching her that if she pouted she would get her way, but I couldn't help it.

I took Macie's hand and went downstairs. We stopped at my receptionist so I could have her cancel the rest of my appointments for the day and then we walked the four and a half blocks to Ms. Mitchell's bakery.

Macie ran ahead of me through the door and ran right up to the counter, cutting in front of five people who had been waiting. I went to pull her to the back of the line, but by the time I got there she was already sitting on the counter with a cupcake in her hands.

I quickly apologized to the people in line and went up to Macie. "You can't just go to the front of the line like that," I told her. "All of those people have been waiting."

Macie mumbled an apology and then went back to her cupcake. Ms. Mitchell was busily taking orders so I waited until she was done to talk to her.

"Sorry about Macie," I said.

"Don't worry about it."

I tried to hand Ms. Mitchell some money for the cupcake, but she wouldn't take it. I kept trying but eventually gave up.

"So, you're pretty busy here," I said after she finished another order.

"Yeah," she said, out of breath from all the rushing around. "But I love it."

"Do you have any help?" I asked, looking around for anyone that could work here.

"No, just me."

I nodded, unsure of what to say. And lucky me, Macie chimed right in. "It's just me and daddy now too at his work."

"Still no sitter?"

I shook my head.

"I could help out if you need," she said. Of course. She's busier than she can handle and she's still offering to help others. I've never met anyone quite like that; always acting in the interest of someone other than themselves.

"You're so busy here," I told her. She may be willing to help, but I don't want to over extend her. And a four year old can be very hard to handle.

"It's no trouble. Besides, the shop is closed Tuesdays and Thursdays so those days would be super easy."

"I don't know..."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease?" Macie begged. And even Ms. Mitchell had an expression awfully similar to a puppy dog face.

"Fine." I couldn't resist both of them. "But only until I find a new sitter."

Macie and Ms. Mitchell both cheered and I couldn't help but smile.

Today is Macie's first official day with Ms. Mitchell and I'm a bit nervous. Not about Macie's safety, I know she will be perfectly fine. It's Ms. Mitchell I'm worried about. I feel like this arrangement is going to be too much for her.

But she and Macie were so happy and something in me just couldn't say no. Especially after the smile I saw on Ms. Mitchell's face when I said yes. Her eyes sparkled in a way they usually didn't and it drew me in.

"Ok Macie," I said as we neared the bakery. "You will listen to everything Ms. Mitchell says."

Macie nodded and I let her run through the door to the bakery. She ran right up to Ms. Mitchell and leapt into her arms.

"Macie!" Ms. Mitchell exclaimed happily as she caught my daughter.

"Lyra!"

Ms. Mitchell put Macie down and pulled something out from behind the counter. "Ok Macie. If you are going to be my assistant, you're going to need a uniform."

Macie tilted her head, confused and Ms. Mitchell pulled out a small apron and baker's hat. Macie cheered and put it on. I snapped a quick picture because she looked so cute and then turned to Ms. Mitchell.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked her.

"Yup!"

"Ok. Just call me if you need something or if it's too much. I won't mind."

Ms. Mitchell agreed and steered me towards the door. "Go, go. You don't want to be late for work. We will be fine."

I chuckled and left the two girls to their devices. I had a feeling that Ms. Mitchell just wanted to play with Macie and wasn't actually concerned about me getting to work on time and that made me smile. She really seemed to care about Macie. More than any other woman I've met. Much more than Claire...

I shoved Claire out of my mind and made my way to my office. She would come around so I don't have to worry about it right now. I think...

It would just be so much easier if Claire loved Macie or at least liked her as much as Ms. Mitchell seemed to.