Page 71 of Make Mine Sweet
“I’m hearing yes to the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie marathon.”
I point a stern finger at him, but he lays a hand over his heart. “Don’t worry. I’ll stick with Disney.”
“Okay. I have to go to work.” I move for the door but turn around again. “I forgot. We should exchange numbers. I can see his apps on my phone, too, but you know. Just in case something else comes up.”
No need to start thinking of all the non-diabetes trouble August could get into. Ahem.Rattlesnakes.
We trade numbers, and I glance around, searching for anything else I’ve forgotten. I’m supposed to be at the bakery in ten minutes to start on the day’s pies and cupcakes. I can get there in time, but only if I leave immediately.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” And I don’t mean medically. Kids can be a lot, especially for someone who’s not expecting it.
He gives me a lazy nod. “I’m ready for anything.”
Here’s that cockiness again. It’s surprisingly cute. “Anything?”
“If he asks me where babies come from, I’ll probably choke. Everything else, we’re good.”
“So you’re saying you don’t know where babies come from.” Not sure where this flirtatiousness was hiding. Safe to say, the confidence he was radiating earlier brought it out. “Surprising.”
Ian takes a slow step closer until our faces are inches apart. The confidence has returned, and I am positively basking in it.
“Tess,” he says in his deep, low voice. His gaze tracks from my eyes down to my mouth. “Go to work.”
It’s a warning as much as a command. Because if I don’t walk out that door soon, I won’t want to leave at all.
Hope’s sigh is loud enough to carry through the bakery and her gift shop next door. “That’s the most beautiful wedding cake I’ve ever seen.”
Probably an exaggeration, but I’ll take the compliment.
She asked to see what I made for the couple at Moonlight Lodge, and this is my first chance to step away from our counter to show her the pictures on my phone. She swipes through the shots I took of the cake set up at the lodge, her gaze dreamy.
“I couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t given me that painting lesson.” Hope sells all sorts of handmade things in her store, but she’s an artist in her own right, too. She gave me a painting of August’s favorite lovey for my birthday last winter. Who knew a faded old ostrich could make me cry that much?
She hands me my phone back. “This is all you.”
I quickly swipe over to check August’s apps before I put my phone back in my pocket. His numbers are all in range and trending similar. I’ve texted to check in, and Ian said everything’s fine.
More than fine.
“Will you make my wedding cake? That style is perfect for us.”
“Oh…” I might as well be standing under a spotlight. Mom’s at the front counter, and I know she can hear us talking.
“We would pay you, obviously,” Hope rushes to reassure me. “I’m not asking for free cake. Whatever your rate is, I know it’s worth it. We haven’t set a date yet, but you’re going to be the first person I call when we do.”
“The audacity,” Wren says from across the bakery.
See? No privacy in here.
“Don’t tell Wren,” Hope says in a loud stage whisper.
“I guess I’m in the market for a new best friend,” Wren says. “Maybe I can join Ada and Isabel’s book club.”
“I’d go with you to that,” Hope returns. “I need to know what they’re reading.”
“It’s all smut,” Wren declares. Mom tsks at her, but she’s unrepentant. “You know it’s true.”
Mom apparently has no argument.
