Page 24 of Just Desserts

We chatted a bit longer, making plans to grab dinner later that week. I was filled with fresh hope after the call. I was surprised that Wes had noticed anything, but being able to talk about how Isla made me feel was a huge relief and made me more determined to see her again.

I would give her a few days to reach out but if I didn't hear from her in a week, I would go by the bakery to say Hi. With that plan in mind, I was finally able to focus on my work for the day.

Chapter 21

Isla

I left the bakery a little after 3pm and took an Uber to the hotel. I made peanut butter Oreo brownies for Sully and red velvet cupcakes filled with dark chocolate ganache for Myles. Once I got into the hotel, I was unsure of what to do. I probably should have called or texted, but I left everyone's cards at home.

Behind the front desk, there was a tall woman with jet black hair cut in a blunt line just below her shoulders. She had heavy bangs framing her bright green eyes and somehow made her work uniform look runway ready. I felt slightly intimidated as I approached the desk, but her warm smile gave me confidence.

"Hi! I'm so sorry, I probably should have called in advance, but I just wanted to drop these off for Mr. uh sorry Sully? From security? And Mr. Bennett, Myles Bennett."

I awkwardly managed to get out. She looked at the boxes in my hand and reached for the phone.

"Let me call them and see if they're available, just give me a moment." She replied in a pleasant tone.

"Oh! No, you don't have to do that. I can just leave this here for them. I'm sure they're busy."

The last thing I wanted to do was make a big fuss. I pretended to be incredibly interested in a spot of wallpaper across the way, essentially looking anywhere but at the gorgeous woman facing me.

"Hey Sully, I've got a nice lady up here with a box of something that smells delicious for you. You've got about three minutes to get over here and grab them before I eat them myself. Bring the boss man too." She hung up and gave me a genuine smile.

"You can go ahead and put those up on the counter hon, I'm Sarah by the way. I saw you with the guys yesterday, so I figured you're one of their friends. Now tell me, what do I have to do to be your friend so I can get some of the goodies you got there."

She wiggled her fingers in the direction of the boxes, and I laughed, delightfully surprised by her attitude.

"I'm Isla. It's nice to meet you. Let me think about that friendship contract and get back to you, in the meantime tell me what you like, and I'll make sure to have it in stock at the bakery this week. You can swing by and grab some, on me of course." I smiled at her shocked face.

"Oh, I'll eat anything. Is that the name of your shop?" She pointed at the logo on the boxes. I nodded my head, and she whipped out her phone taking a picture then googling the address.

"Done. It's a friendship date. We can take Cosmo quizzes and make bracelets over cookies, or cupcakes, or brownies, like I said I'll eat anything. I'm off Wednesday next week. What's your number?" she asked.

I was surprised; I hadn't made any new friends since college. It felt nice and I wondered why it was so novel. I felt a flash of irritation as I remembered all the times I had cancelled plans with friends because Jonathan thought it infringed on our marital time.

Back then, I had found Jonathan's request adorable and heartwarming, but now I knew he just wanted to control what I was doing with my time. Shaking those thoughts off, I eagerlyswapped numbers with Sarah. We chatted a bit more until I saw Sully turn the corner with Myles hot on his heels.

"Isla, light of my life, my darling blonde princess, what did you bring for dear old Sully." I laughed at his theatrics and even Sarah looked a little startled.

"I just wanted to bring a little thank you over for yesterday. Here Sully, they're peanut butter Oreo brownies." I passed them over to Sully and smiled as he practically salivated over them, ripping at the box.

"Goddamn these look amazing. How did you know I love peanut butter?" I shrugged.

"I took a guess, I'm glad you like it. I probably should have checked if either of you had allergies." I frowned then startled slightly when Myles spoke from behind me.

"Does that mean some of the brownies are for me?" I whirled around and tried to ignore the slight increase in my heart rate.

"No! I mean, I made you your own. They're red velvet cupcakes stuffed with chocolate ganache."

I smiled at him hesitantly as I passed him the box. He looked surprised as he opened the container, I watched with bemusement as his face and ears tinged with pink as he looked from the cupcakes to me.

"That fucking food festival. Wes can't remember his own name, but he'll remember anything to torture me. Gotta admit, never been so grateful he did though. I love red velvet and these look amazing."

He had a huge smile on his face, and it nearly rendered me speechless. Breaking the spell I put on a stern face.

"I expect both of you to share with Sarah. If I recall correctly, she was instrumental in our investigation yesterday so it's only fair."

Both men frowned like little boys causing Sarah and I to burst out laughing. She whipped out a roll of paper towels from below the desk and laid one out on the countertop.

---