Page 57 of Sweet Temptation
–Lucky
PS – I’m sorry.
What in the world?
I peel back the tinfoil like I’m expecting a snake to be coiled up, ready to strike. Big surprise—there’s not. I kinda wish there had been as I place the plate on the counter and stare at the omelet. It’s not pretty. The eggs are brown from cooking them at too high of a temperature, and the red peppers look burned, but neither matters. He made me an omelet. My heart pangs in my chest as I pick up the plate and step on the pedal opening the trash can.
“What are you doing?” Lincoln asks as he joins me in the kitchen.
“Nothing.” I shrug. “I decided I’m not hungry.”
“What are you so pissed about, Lex?” He takes the plate from me and puts it in the microwave. “Was it what I said?”
“I’m not talking about this with you, Linc.” I move around him and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “Good night.”
“He’s sorry, you know.”
I do know that.
I also know last night was a mistake.
A mistake that’s my fault.
So basically, everything that happened today was my fault too.
“Yeah. Me too, Linc.Me too.” I don’t get back out of bed for the rest of the night.
I don’t sleep either. Just think about the ugly little omelet and try not to cry.
“You look like shit, kid.” Dad leans across the Sweet Temptations counter later that week and kisses my cheek. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m fine.” I grab an everything bagel and hold it up. “Do you want it toasted?”
He grabs a twenty out of his wallet and throws it on the counter with a smirk. He never wants change. Just tells me to keep it as a tip. Such a dad. “How’d you guess?”
“Hmm... could it be because you’ve been here for almost all my shifts since we reopened?” I spin around and grab a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and hand it to him. “You do have an office, you know.”
“Aww, honey, I know. But the view is so much better here.” He takes the orange juice from me and grabs a napkin. “Thanks. Your mother wanted me to remind you she’s going with you to the pulmonologist today.”
“I know, Dad. Now go work.” I shoo him away and finish, then turn to Mae. “Okay. I’m going into the back to work on the special orders for today. Let me know if you need anything.”
Mae grins at my dad and nods. “You know your dad is super hot, right, Lexie?
“You might not want to say that in front of my mom,” I kid as I walk away, ready to get lost in some chemistry for a few hours.
Isnap a pic of the three-tiered chocolate cake covered in fondant with beautiful Hogwarts detailing and Hedwig sitting on a wand on the top tier, then add it to my Instagram with a smile. #Kroydonhillscakes #Sweettemptations
Now this is my idea of fun.
My playlist switches to “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and I sing along badly as I check the time and start to clean up the kitchen.
“Knock, knock.” Lucky walks through the swinging kitchen doors, scaring the shit out of me, and powdered sugar spills everywhere. “Shit, Lex. Sorry.”
I look up at him through a sugar-filled plume of white dust and blow it out of my face. And for a moment, I forget I’m mad. I just smile when I see Lucky. He looks good, but he always does. A black backward baseball hat sits on his head with a few stray curls tucked behind his ears, and matching black gym shorts hang from his lean hips. But it’s the sleeveless gray tee that shows off his beautifully inked and muscled arms that absolutely does me in. Those arms make me think very bad thoughts. Thoughts about a night spent in those arms. Thoughts that remind me exactly how pissed I am at him and immediately lose the smile. “Your mom’s not here.”
“Lex . . .”
I ignore him and grab a rag to clean up the sugar, but Lucky moves into my space and stops me without ever touching me. “Look at me, Lexie.”
