Page 3 of Cookies & Kisses

He raises a brow. “And what is that?”

“I want to work in the kitchen. I don’t want to be stuck in the front, working the cash register like someone who doesn’t know butter from margarine.”

The smirk is back. “And I don’t want some inexperienced baker messing with my recipes.”

“Inexperienced?!” The word flies from my mouth before I can hold it back.

“Just because you worked for a few months making fancy cakes for celebrities doesn’t mean you have the finesse it takes to work here.”

“Oh, really?” I cross my arms and sit back in the chair. “I’ll prove it.”

He blinks a few times. “What does that mean?”

“I can prove that I know what I’m doing. Test me. Do whatever you need to convince yourself that I know how to bake. Because I know that I’m the real deal.”

I can see him clench his jaw, then he nods once and stands up. With one hand extended toward me, he simply says, “Deal.”

I look up at his offered hand, telling myself I’m up for this challenge. I stand up and put my hand in his.Wow.Just this simple touch sends warmth throughout my body. I hope my cheeks aren’t burning as red as they feel.Rein it in, Madeleine!I look him in the eyes, shake his hand once, and say, “Deal.”

It’s on.

Mason

I wish I couldsay I’m enjoying the Brookhaven Annual Fountain Festival. It’s usually one of my favorite days of the year. The whole town gathers in the city square, vendors give away treats, kids run around and play tag. Today is one of the reasons why people love Brookhaven, all wrapped in one little package.

But I’ve got two things keeping me from enjoying it to the fullest.

The first is that I wasn’t able to be a vendor this year. Normally, I would have jumped at the opportunity. I grew up here and have been coming to the Fountain Festival since I was three years old, the year the fountain was built. Every year since then, the whole town gathers to celebrate this central feature.

Although, let’s be real, we gather for any excuse to celebrate.

But I missed the vendor sign-up deadline, and to be honest, I wouldn’t have had the time to bake enough cookies for the entire town, anyway.

Which brings me to item number two.

My new assistant, Madeleine Sweet.

I was incredibly insulted when she showed up yesterday afternoon, claiming that my mother had set up an interview for her. It turns out she was telling the truth. Apparently, Momdidsend an email letting me know about her. Which I missed, because I’m up to my nose in orders and can barely keep up.

And YES, I know that sounds like I need an assistant.

But I don’t.

A front desk receptionist is all I need. Someone to organize the business details and keep up with customers.Nothelp in the kitchen.

Besides being protective of my baking, I also can’t let myself be in such a close space with Madeleine. Because I can’t help the attraction I feel toward her. She’s absolutely stunning. Classy and beautiful, she carries herself with a presence you can’t deny. But she’s only twenty-four.

A surprisingly mature and accomplished twenty-four year old, but still—seven YEARS younger than me.

And let’s not mention that I’m now her boss.

So, for all these reasons, I need to keep her at a distance. I can’t allow her in the kitchen. No more conversations about the True Trophy Wives (even though I really want to know all about the Taylors’ wedding and their cake).

And definitely no touching.

Because even a simple handshake gave me a sensation I hadn’t experienced in years.

“Mason? You okay there?” Rosco, the man who owns the ice cream store and is running a stand for today’s festival, has his furry, gray eyebrows knitted together in concern.

---