Page 34 of Killer Confections
“Hey!” Addison reaches for it, but Rowan holds it high above his head, far away from the golden hands that fight to get it back.
“Row,” Thalia warns. “Give her the phone back. She’s Loxley’s friend.”
Rowan presses a hand to the brunette’s forehead, pushing her back as his lip curls. “I don’t care who she is. I’m deleting this.”
“You can’t!” Addison shouts. “It’s a great picture!”
“We can delete that one, and Thalia and I will pose for you,” I suggest, grabbing a cake from the box.
The brunette huffs, considering my proposal. “I guess a picture with willing participants would boast well for business.”
Rowan nods, deleting the photo before handing the phone back to its owner.
Addison eyes him pointedly, snatching the device awayfrom him. “Asshole.”
His nostrils flare as he rubs a hand across his mouth and places a hand on his side, like he’s trying to hold back from saying something he may regret.
Thalia smirks, wiggling her brows at me. “You may not be the only one in love by the day’s end.”
I push her shoulder with a snort before she gets in place, taking one of the cakes out of the box.
“So,” Addison turns the phone on us, her brow raised. “How do you guys know Loxley?”
Thalia bites her lip to contain her laughter, and I shrug.
“We went to the same high school when she lived in Columbus,” I answer truthfully, holding my cake up as I give a lopsided smile for the camera.
“Oh,” the brunette perks up, snapping a few pictures. “Well, she’s inside if you want to say hi.”
I smirk, my smile’s meaning double ended. “I think I’ve said plenty.”
“Okay…” the brunette trails, giving me a strange look.
“Excuse me,” an older woman with graying hair places a shoulder on Addison’s shoulder, startling the photographer. “Are you the one who keeps posting to the Sweet Haven social pages?”
“I am!” Addison chirps. “What can I help you with?”
The woman seems relieved as she smiles. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with the shop all day, but it seems rather busy. I needed to place an order for a wedding cake, but I have no idea how big of a cake I’m trying to get.”
The brunette’s eyes sparkle, “I can help. How many people will be in attendance?”
“Eighty-five,” the older woman breathes exasperatedly. “Can you believe that? I don’t even think I know eighty-five people.”
Addison thinks, her eyes narrowing as she uses a finger to work out the details. “Well, most of the time, a three tier cake works well for bigger venues. The bottom tier could betwelve inches with four layers. That feeds about fifty people on its own. The middle tier could be ten inches, which is going to feed about forty people. The top tier is usually saved for the bride and groom to try on their first anniversary if they’re sticking to tradition.”
The older woman gives the brunette a lost look, her mouth gaping. Rowan is right behind her, his brows drawn as he stares at Addison with a newfound interest.
“Would you come with me to place the order?” The woman gives a breathy laugh. “There’s no way I can remember that…”
“Of course! Follow me,” Addison links their arms, pushing through the crowd as she guides the elder to the bakery.
“Close your mouth, Row,” Thalia says smugly. “You’re gonna catch flies.”
My brother grunts, “I’m going home. Are you two coming with me?”
Thalia slaps the box closed, standing from the bench and raising a brow at me.
I check my phone, chuckling when I see there are still no messages from my girl. “Nah, I think I’ll hang around for a little longer.”
