Page 10 of Made for You
With a chuckle, I attempted to lift an edge of the box, but it was secured too well. “How do you have them? I just read an article saying tonight’s event has been sold out for months.”
He glanced away, almost like he was… embarrassed? Or, no, that wasn’t it. I couldn’t tell, but then he spoke.
“Saint Security is covering the event.”
“The screening?” I asked.
Gram had made clear his business was doing quite well, especially for only being a little over a year old, but I imagined an event like this was quite a contract. Numbers filtered across my mental screen, the possible count of attendees and the potential revenue from a weekend like this for both the premiere and likely his business, too. Of course, I wouldn’t comment on such a thing because I’d learned long ago how commenting on probable taxable income struck people as inappropriate.
He glanced down, then up through his lashes at me. “The festival, the event, and for a few of the attendees as well.”
My mouth opened, then shut. I’d imagined door security at most. “Wow. That’s… impressive.”
He chuckled, all good nature and humility. “We know the right people and got the contract because of them, but thanks. I hope it gives a little context for why I’m more edgy and stressed than usual.”
“There’s a lot on your plate.” Everything I learned about him pointed to how remarkable he was.Great.
He ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve ended up being a bit short-staffed. I promise I’m not always running off at the last minute.”
“I didn’t think you were. Though…”Hmm.Maybe I shouldn’t voice the thought out loud when I didn’t really know him. I’d often experienced impatience or even offense when I verbalized my curiosity. I understood when the subjects were personal, and this certainly qualified as such.
Still, too late, because he tilted his head. “What?”
I shifted from foot to foot. “I guess I’m wondering why you want someone staying with her. She seems responsible and she’s old enough to stay home alone, right?”
His face morphed to something like regret. “She is. And she’s very trustworthy, high school boyfriend aside. But Kiley’s had a tough go and… well, it’s just a different situation.” He checked his watch. “Listen, I’ve got to run and check in before I head to the venue. Let me know if you guys have any trouble getting in. I’ll be there, but I’m not sure whether I’ll be floating or on someone—depends on the staffing situation.”
I didn’t know what half of that meant, but okay. “Sure. Yeah, and… good luck.”
He flashed a smile. “Thanks. See you soon, Nikki.”
I held up my free hand as he turned and shut the door before caving to the temptation of watching him walk away.
“Well, how very generous of him.”
Gram’s voice coming from the kitchen startled me enough I nearly dropped the box, but I clutched at it to save whatever delicious-smelling treats lay inside.
“Yes, it was. And totally gratuitous.” I hadn’t done anything unusual, though obviously, he didn’t have any great affinity for math. Sometimes, basic familiarity with a subject someone else found intimidating or confusing caused the smallest thing to expand beyond its actual value.
“Mm. Yes. But I’m not sure he’s used to people doing things for him without reciprocating. I suspect that was one of the biggest adjustments to small-town life he’d had to make.” She cupped her mug and took a sip, then nodded at the pink box. “What’s in there?”
“Let’s find out.”
I snipped the twine with kitchen shears as she wiggled next to me like an excited child. We both sucked in audible breaths as we took in the large donuts nestled in the box. A half dozen—four with a combination of pink and white frosting, looking so perfect I hardly wanted to touch them, and two plain glazed.
“Oh, those look like a sugar coma waiting to happen,” she said, then snatched a pink and white confection and shoved half into her mouth. “Thank God I never did get diabetes.”
A laugh burst out of me, and I followed suit—no point in pretending I didn’t want to eat the entire box. I wouldn’t, especially if I was about to show up at some fancy screening of a movie later, but still.
Good. Glorious. Grief. This was the best donut I’d ever tasted. Sweet and slightly yeasty. Fluffy but enough give, enough resistance, to feel it in your teeth as you took a bite. Sugary but not so your teeth hurt. A touch of strawberry flavor in the frosting.
I should purge my brain of this moment. If not, I’d be liable to pledge my devotion to whoever his buddy’s sister was and become her devotee in order to never go a day without experiencing this moment of heaven on earth.Wow.
“Are we going?” Gram said, mouth still full of her giant bite.
I loved how she didn’t insist on being proper. Donuts this good didn’t ask for proper. They asked to be eaten with gusto, with vigor, with delight. “To the premiere?”
She nodded, lips barely containing her next bite.
