Page 23 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
Calahan’s eyes brightened. “Yes,” he said. “One hundred percent yes, but we need to enjoy it properly.”
She raised a brow, intrigued. “Meaning?”
“Give me a second,” he said, flashing her an easy smile.
He grabbed napkins and disappeared with the cookie halves on each, then came back a little while later, gingerly holding the napkins in his hands. They were warm.
“Ooh, yes,” she said, as he handed her one. The heat seeped into her palm, and she inhaled the nutty aroma of brown butter.
“And don’t forget the cold milk,” Calahan said, opening the fridge and pouring them both small glasses of milk. A bolt of pleasure beat through her. They were so similar!
“You are speaking my language right now,” Lavinia said. “I don’t trust people who can have warm chocolate and wash it down with water.”
“Diabolical,” Calahan agreed.
They both bit into their warm cookies, into the crunch of the pecans and soft chocolate chips. At the same time, theytook sips of their cold milk, and she hummed, content. After they finished off their cookies and milk, Lavinia crumpled up her napkin, tossing it into the bin.
“That was divine,” Lavinia said. Calahan looked like he was about to agree, but then he laughed. She furrowed her brows. “What?”
“One second.” He grabbed a fresh napkin and wet it by the sink. She furrowed her brows, confused, but then he got closer. He wiped the napkin on her chin, shaking his head with amusement.
“Chocolate,” he said.
“Oops.” She giggled, feeling fizzy inside.
Then a customer came up to the counter, and she got busy taking their order, while Calahan disappeared back into the kitchen.
As she made the customer’s drink, she couldn’t help but feel pleased with herself. Operation Calahan really was a fantastic idea. She had been so silly about Theo; she must have been confused. She hadwantedromantic love, so she had probably latched onto Theo because he was always there.
There was no time to be confused now. She only had a few months until winter, when she would be the same age her mother was when she met her future husband. Theo wasn’t the one written for her—obviously. If he was, he would have kissed her that night. He hadn’t—which was a harsh but necessary reminder.
On the other hand, Calahan did seem to like her, and for once, she wanted to be loved and not have to worry about how the guy felt. Love was supposed to be easy, Mama always said.
But it never was. The last two times Lavinia had been in love,it hadn’t worked out. Once was in high school, with a lacrosse player who was popular and funny. The second time was in university, with an art major who was insightful and deep. Both times, the boys concerned had liked her a lot while they were dating—she could tell they did! Until they eventually got tired of her and dumped her.
That was a train of thought she could not dwell on for too long or she’d ruin all her makeup with crying.
The workday continued, and a little while before closing, she saw Theo enter through the front doors as she was wiping down a table. He wore a beige utility jacket with black jeans, hair mussed from the wind. She waved, and he waved back, coming over. As he got closer, his gaze swept over her, taking in her outfit.
His eyes widened, his steps faltering. She could feel him staring and her skin flushed with heat. But he was only staring because it was the outfit he had advised her against; there was no other reason he would be looking at hersointently.
“Did you get off work early?” she asked, going back behind the counter while he came up to the other side. Just as Theo was about to respond, Calahan popped out to the front. Theo’s expression changed, darkening so slightly that Lavinia must have been imagining it.
“Hey,” Calahan said to Theo. He didn’t wait for a reply before turning to Lavinia: “What are you up to later?”
It was almost time for closing. “Nothing much,” she said, heartbeat quickening.
“Do you want to go to the town movie night?” Calahan asked. “Maybe grab dinner after?”
Lavinia resisted the urge to squeal out loud, but she mostdefinitely squealed inside her head. She pretended to think for a moment, not replying as immediately as she wanted to.
“Sure,” she replied, smiling. “Sounds fun.”
“Great.” He touched her elbow, then disappeared back into the kitchen.
Lavinia turned back to Theo, mouth splitting into a grin. She loved when things went perfectly according to plan. It gave her a huge high. “Ah!”
Theo made no response.
