Page 65 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes
“What?”
“That shindig your partner is going to. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the Chamber of Commerce’s yearly small business gala. I read about it in theWonderwood Wordthis morning.”
Naturally, Norman had his newspaper close at hand. He leafed it open and showed the article to Daisy. She snorted.
“Funded by Wonderwood Amusements and Peter Perry. Figures. He’s throwing a party for himself and his friends.”
And, for some reason, he wanted Candace on his arm. Badly enough to send out his fixer, too.
Why?
The question gnawed at Daisy.
Memory hit her. Shehadgotten an invite; she got one every year and had never bothered to go. Yucking it up with a bunch of self-important, rich types was not her scene. But if it meant she could keep an eye on Candace…
“Sorry,” she told Tina, who did not look at all surprised. “I’ve got a party to crash.”
Chapter 17
Candace
Galas and public events were Candace’s personal hell. Along with the ones her uncle forced her to attend when she was younger, she had to go to a fair number for her professional career as well. They were a blur of schmoozing and mediocre finger foods.
At least there was an open bar at this one. Candace was able to sneak away while Uncle Perry chatted up a couple of representatives from a local private equity group. No doubt, he was trying to get their buy-in for his fun pier expansion. If Candace were in the right frame of mind, she might have tried to slyly approach them on Bagel Bombs! behalf. Now, though, the bar was far more appealing.
While Candace waited in line, she was thrilled when Demi appeared beside her. Her friend descended like a gorgeous, terrifying force of nature, taking attention wherever shewalked in a swirl of style and earthen allure. She wore a cleanly cut, burnt umber romper suit that complemented her auburn locks. With her hair tamed into an intricate side-plait, she almost looked like a different person. Yet, the familiar, full-body bear hug she gave Candace was all Demi.
“I didn’t think you were coming!” Candace returned Demi’s hug just as tightly, adding, “You look incredible!”
“Of course I came! I wasn’t going to leave you to the jackals. And forget about me, look atyou.What cursed runway did you step off of?”
Candace flushed. She was not sure what had come over her. An hour before, fresh out of the shower in only a towel with sopping hair, Candace surveyed her outfit options. She had a couple she knew Uncle Perry would approve of without a second glance; conservative, classy, but fuckable. Things she would wear if she was going to be a “good girl.”
Even so, Candace hesitated. Daisy’s compliment earlier, her entranced eyes as they roved from head to toe, played on repeat in Candace’s head. Of their own volition, her hands assembled a Frankenstein-monster’s outfit unlike anything she had ever worn. But, she thought, it was perfect.
Black fitted slacks and a matching chic blazer brought the business side of Candace. For fun, she wore an eye-catching gold spangle belt to go with her bright pink eyeshadow, aiming for a punk-pop look with her makeup and accessories. The flats were because her feet were tired after standing all day. And, to show where her priorities were, a fresh, tucked-in, Bagel Bombs! tank top as her blazer shell.
Candace wished Daisy could see her. She was probably home, arm deep in dough. The fact that she encouraged going along with this was as confusing as the rest of her actions lately. The covert smirks, the flirting, the “accidental” touches while their customers watched… all of it was for show.
Right?
It had to be, because Candace could not dare hope for more.
Demi, with her best friend’s intuition, knew precisely where (or, to whom) Candace’s thoughts drifted. They retrieved their free merlot drinks, courtesy of a local vineyard, and moved their chat to a private corner.
The Wonderwood Music Pier was not the most glamorous of venues. It was more of an open auditorium space, dull and lacking much architectural flair, that could be rearranged to suit whatever function was renting it out. The one thing it had going for it was a wrap-around balcony and cathedral-height windows around the entire building. Poised over the roiling waves, it made for a spectacular view during a rainstorm.
Candace and Demi floated towards one of the balcony exits, just off the designated dance floor. On the stage, a local silver-haired band of retirees-turned-amateur musicians struggled through the opening chords of some bygoneBeeGee Boysbeach anthem.
“I haven’t seen you around the studio much,” Demi said as she nudged Candace with her elbow. “I miss seeing your scrunched up face during chair pose.”
“You and me both. I’ve had a knot in my shoulder for weeks that I’ve been dying to wring out.”
“When was your last day off? Like, a real day where you’re not slinging bagels and being hounded by the Gluten Garcon? She wasn’t mean to you for coming, was she?”
“Who?” Candace feigned dumb, but the woman eyed her over her drink. “She’s been nice, I swear. We’re busier than I could have ever dreamed of. Things are going well for us, Demi.Reallywell, which is why I’m here.”
“Uh-huh,” Demi hummed. One elegant, thick eyebrow cocked, she said, “And I’m sure dressing like a Bagel Bomb! influencer won’t poke the bear at all. Don’t get me wrong, you look hot, but…”
