“Before you go, do we have time to talk about something?” Time had gotten away from her.

Damon’s expression stiffened, and she quickly backtracked. “It’s nothing bad. It could be really good, but I wanted to run it by you first.”

He still looked wary. “I’m listening.”

“You know how I’ve been bringing my baking leftovers to work?” At his nod, she went into the story of how Justin had shared his birthday cupcakes with the right people, the offer from the restaurant, and how she’d have to get her Food Protection Certificate before she could take them up on it.

She stopped to sip her coffee, which had cooled off as she spoke. “So what do you think?”

Damon looked dumbfounded. “When I get it, I’ll let you know.”

Liya was confused. “What’s there to get?”

“For one thing, the fact that you seem to think you’re living in a chick flick instead of real life.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s what it sounds like when you say you want to quit your job to be a baker.”

“I wouldn’t be quitting my day job, just doing this on the side.”

“But why do you want a side gig? You’re doing well at work, I thought you liked it, and I’m making enough that you don’t need two jobs.”

“Nice as the extra money would be, that’s not the only reason. And I didn’t say boo when you decided to take the inspector’s exam. What’s the difference between you getting licensed as an inspector and me getting a Food Protection Certificate?”

“Because that makes sense for my career, and this…” His expression changed from confused to concerned. “Are you having a midlife crisis?”

“Thirty-three is too young for that!” Maybe that wasn’t the smartest retort, but it was the first one that came to mind. “It’s not a midlife crisis, it’s an interesting opportunity that I want to take advantage of. But I also want your input and support on this.”

Damon glanced at his phone. “I have to get downtown. We’ll talk about this later.”

He leaned in for their usual good-bye kiss, but Liya drew back. She wasn’t in the mood to kiss or touch him after he’d treated her like this. “Go on, but I want you to think about this on your commute. The whole time I’ve been with you, I’ve gone to every fire get-together as your plus-one, held down the fort while you’re at work, bent over backward to have holidays with you, and supported you when you wanted to take the exam. So when are you going to do the same for me? When’s it gonna be my turn?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, but walked out of the room.