Page 53 of Make Mine Sweet
We all point at Hope, the woman with the ring on her finger.
We say our goodbyes, and Wren and I walk around the block to where our cars are still parked behind the bakery.
“I’m not surprised Lila can go into the woods and come out with a gorgeous new boyfriend,” she says. “I wish I could meet a man who’s like a Greek god.”
“Which one?” a deep voice asks in the parking lot.
Wren shrieks, spinning around to face Shepherd, who’s standing near Get in Gear’s back door. It only takes her a second to compose herself, her fear blending seamlessly into anger.
“What is the matter with you? Don’t you know you’re not supposed to scare women in the dark like this?”
The sun hasn’t fully set yet, but that won’t stop Wren from getting in a jab at him.
“Wasn’t trying to scare you. Just asking which Greek god you’re hoping to meet. It makes a difference.”
She makes a tiny sound of irritation. “What are you talking about?”
“Ares is too hot-headed for you, that combo would never work. Apollo—he doesn’t know how to be faithful, I don’t recommend. Hades has a good job and loves his dog but may or may not be a kidnapper. And Zeus…you do you, but he’s a creep through and through. I’d advise against it.” Shepherd looks to the sky as though expecting to get zapped by a bolt of lightning.
“Someone’s readPercy Jackson,” Wren says. Pretty sure she’s trying to be cutting, but it’s coming across as a teensy bit impressed.
Shepherd shrugs. “I like mythology.”
“Well…I was asking for a figurative Greek god, not a literal one.”
He nods and finishes locking up his store. “I suggest Hephaestus. He’s steady and hard-working. Peaceful and loyal. He’d be a good match for you.”
Wren just watches him, her mouth slightly open, clearly at a loss for how to take that.
Shepherd salutes us and crosses the parking lot to his truck. He climbs in, starts it up, and drives off into the night.
Wren’s still watching his taillights fade down the alley, her arms crossed over her chest. “Isn’t Hephaestus the one who’s married to Aphrodite?”
“Pretty sure.” And good with mechanical stuff, but I suspect we’re going to ignore that.
“He’s so weird.” She shakes off her interaction with Shepherd, turning back to me. “I forgot about all the cheating. I don’t want a Greek god, after all.”
They really don’t have the best relationship track record. “Just someone who looks like one.”
“Obviously.”
I lean against my wagon’s hatchback, not quite ready to head to the house. Mom was thrilled to have a movie night with August after we closed up shop. They’re probably still watchingCarsand snuggling on the couch right now.
Wren takes a spot next to me, her arm against mine.
“I’m sorry I jumped the gun yesterday,” she says. “I shouldn’t have brought up putting your cakes on the menu with Mom until you were ready.”
“It’s okay. I pretty much knew that’s how she’d react.” I’m trying to forget the part where she seems to think my cakes could sink our business.
“We shouldn’t give up, though. Mom isn’t quick to make a decision, but I have to believe we can convince her. We got her to add your cupcakes to the case.”
After a year of discussion. Getting her to add full cakes could take another decade.
“She’s being careful and cautious.” Even if it hurts a little when it comes to my cakes, I get caution. That’s been my mantra my whole life. The one time I experimented withnotplaying it safe blew up in my face. I love the end result to the moon and back, but the journey was rough.
Wren nudges me with her shoulder. “There’s such a thing as being too careful. You can wait so long that you lose your opportunity.”
I say nothing. We’re not talking about specialty cakes anymore.
