Page 93 of Shine: Sins of the Father
We’re led to a booth by the window. “Here you go. Carol will be over in a moment to take your order.”
After devouring the best smash burger I’ve ever had, we return to the bike. I thought about telling Shine about Dylan, but there were too many patrons around who would have overheard every word. I mentally kick myself for stalling when we climb on the bike. Am I just searching for excuses?
It’s not long before we end up back at the clubhouse.
I breathe a sigh of relief when the lot is mostly empty and notably absent is my father’s Harley.
It’s early yet, so finding TJ and Gigi inside with their little Caleb with them isn’t surprising.
“Oh, Caleb, you’re getting so big,” I croon, making a beeline for him.
“Thas caz Ima big boy.” He puffs his little chest out, and I can’t help but scoop him into my arms.
“Shine.” TJ nods, lifting his beer to his lips and taking a swig.
I glance his way. He looks the portrait of nonchalance, except for his eyes which are definitely assessing. Shit. How must this look? Me riding up here on the back of Shine’s bike.
“Reckless told Shine about my bakery and how good the cupcakes are, so he thought he’d try one.” I scramble to supply an excuse but then kick myself when I realize it literally explains nothing about why I rode up here on the back of his bike.
“I see,” TJ says slowly, clearly seeing way too much.
“Speaking of your bakery, I was wondering if I could have Caleb’s third birthday party there?” Gigi ruffles Caleb’s hair.
Thankful for the distraction, I pounce on it. “Absolutely! I’d love to throw his party. Do you have a theme in mind? I’ve mostly done girl’s parties, but I could definitely decorate it in cars or dinosaurs or whatever little man’s into nowadays.”
“That would be construction trucks,” Gigi supplies.
“Okay, okay.” The gears start turning as my mind races with different ideas. “I could get traffic cones and caution tape. His cake could be a whole construction project, like the different vehicles are building the cake.”
“Yes, I’m already excited for this now.” Gigi claps her hands together.
Gigi and I talk for ages, coming up with different ideas until we have an entire elaborate party planned, Caleb adding his input about needing to have a “digger” and a dump truck. He also loves the idea of hard hats instead of party hats for all his little friends to wear.
Sometime around cake flavors, TJ and Shine move off to play pool. But when I walk by on the way to the restroom, they seem to be just finishing up.
When I return, Shine is holding Caleb in his arms and tickling him.
The boy is laughing, saying, “Again. Again.”
Shine’s face is lit in happiness, and for a moment, I imagine him holding Dylan like that.
“You got any kids, Shine?” Gigi asks.
“No, ma’am, but I’d love to have some.”
“Well, you should. I can tell you’d make a wonderful father.”
“Thanks. Hopefully someday.” He passes Caleb to TJ and turns when I walk up. “Hey, you ready?”
“Yeah. I need to get home. I’ve got a lot of baking to do for tomorrow. Monday is always a busy day. One of my best sales days. I’m putting my Orange Dream on special. That always brings them in.”
“Well, let’s go then. I don’t want to be responsible for there not being enough Orange Dream cupcakes to satisfy the town.”
I lean and kiss Caleb, and he gets bashful and buries his head in TJ’s neck.
When we arrive at my shop, Shine parks and dismounts to kiss me goodbye but doesn’t push to come upstairs.
“I’m glad we’re starting fresh.” He leans his forehead against mine.
