Page 12 of Slow Burn
With a grin and a small tilt of my head I told her, "Thanks, Misty." Then because I simply couldn't help myself, I pulled a few bills from my back pocket andhanded them over. "Can you box up two glazed donuts for me? I'll grab them on my way out."
I said goodbye to Misty before slipping through the side door that led to the kitchen. As I knew I would, I found Frankie manhandling a blob of dough.
She hoisted the doughy ball above her head before slamming it back down on the counter, hard. I chuckled under my breath. "Whose face are you envisioning every time you do that?"
Lifting her blue eyes to meet mine, she blew at the few inky strands peeking out from under her hairnet. "You know how my parents wanted me to come over last night because they had amazing news to share with me?"
Her question must've been rhetorical because she just kept on talking, "Apparently, my brother is moving back to Clearwater Bay."
"And why are we mad about this?"
The dough in her hands connected with the bench with a sharp thud. "First of all, Caden the twatwaffle didn't even tell me. I'm his sister for shit's sake! And secondly…" she took a deep breath through her nose, but it did nothing to keep the annoyance from rolling off her tongue alongside her words. "Gage is coming back with him."
This was bad. There wasn't a person alive who Frankie hated more than she did Gage Calloway. Not that I blamed her. The guy did take her v-card before running away like the hounds of hell were snapping at his heels.
Kneading a little harder, she groaned, "This is so satisfying." A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth."Maybe you'd like to have a go? You can pretend it's your neighbor."
"Yeah." With a way-too-heavy groan, I flopped down onto the nearest chair. "He's a real peach, that one. I don't even know how it happened, but Sheldon got out and take one guess where he ended up?"
Still attacking the yeasted concoction, she cocked her eyebrow. "And how did that go?"
"Well…" In as much detail as I could, I relayed my latest run-in with Mr. Personality. The one where he very rudely referred to Sheldon as a rat. Just thinking about it had my hackles rising until those icky scars flashed in my memory.
I had this awful feeling that those scars, or rather the horrible event that caused them, had something to do with his icy exterior. And for whatever reason, that only amplified my need to show him kindness.
"What's happening to your face right now?" Frankie transferred her well-worked dough to three separate bowls before covering them with greased clingfilm. She grabbed two orange juices from the fridge and took a seat next to me. Keeping one for herself, she handed me the other. "You've got that sad puppy dog look going." With her bottle tipped in my direction, she motioned toward my face.
"I don't know what you're talking about." My voice climbed a few octaves like it always did when I wasn't being entirely truthful.
"Is that how you're going to play it? All right." Frankie took a big gulp of her juice before setting it downon the countertop and leaning forward. "I understand that you believe there is good in everyone and that even the most lost person can be saved, but—"
"I don't—"
Her hand shot up, index finger pointing toward the ceiling. "Let me finish." When I nodded, she continued, "It's a wonderful trait to have, Maddie, it really is. You just need to realize that some people are assholes by choice and have zero plans on changing."
"Yeah, I know." I decided not to tell her that I thought there was a hell of a lot more to Mr. Personality than his grumpy mood. "So where are those sandwiches you promised me?" I asked, needing the conversation away from my grumpy neighbor. I even made a show of looking around the kitchen.
Not convinced by my act, Frankie gave me a 'don't-think-I'm-fooled' look but thankfully left the subject alone. Without saying a word, she slipped off her chair and shuffled back to the fridge.
A moment later she slid a plate in front of me. One look at it and I was salivating.
"This looks amazing." I picked up the croissant and eyed the crispy bacon, cheese, and avocado slices sandwiched between the buttery layers.
Unable to wait a nanosecond longer, I took a giant bite. The instant the different flavors hit my taste buds, my eyes widened.
"So good," I mumbled around a mouth full of food.
"Yeah?"
I could only nod since I couldn't resist going in for another taste.
"I used cottage cheese instead of butter, as well as the sweet chili jam I made the other day." I had no idea why she sounded so uncertain because if there was anything Frankie could do, it was bake… and apparently make the most delicious croissant sandwiches.
Swallowing down the food in my mouth, I resisted taking another bite long enough to tell her, "These are going to be as popular as your adult cupcakes." My gaze flicked to the deliciousness in my hands. "Maybe even more."
Frankie's face lit up and I absolutely loved it. She was doing something she loved. Following her passion and realizing her dreams.Not like me. But this moment wasn't about my failures, so I pushed the thought away before it had time to properly form.
"When are you putting these on the menu?" I asked.
