Page 12 of Cakewalk
“A sweet pinky?”
“Yeah, that.” Courtney laughed, then pointed the Windex bottle at me from behind the counter. “But you do have a knack for getting people to part with their money.”
“Only if it’s for a good cause.” She was right, though. Some of the most fun I’ve had was helping set up local fundraiser events back when I was a teen. On top of helping with those events, I helped grow the online presence of many local charities, helping expand their outreach. I had hoped to learn even more tools of the trade in college, though sometimes all it felt like that I got out of that was more debt.
The bells above the door jingled, and I strained my neck to look at this late customer.
It was Griffin.
It wasGriffin!
I jerked back in my seat and gripped the armrests as I stared daggers at him. Griffin put on an innocent expression and smiled warmly at my sister, uncaring of the mild heart attack he was giving me.
I slowly looked over my shoulder at Courtney, searching for any hint of recognition on her face. Instead, she smiled up at him as if he were any other customer, then quickly hid the cleaning supplies.
He cocked his head in concern, a stray lock of his gorgeous mane falling over his forehead. “I’m sorry,” he started. “Were you closing up?” He took a step back as if to politely leave.
My sister quickly straightened her apron over her big baby bump and shook her head. “Not at all. How may I help you?”
Griffin ceased his half-hearted retreat and approached the display counter with renewed vigor. “I’ve heard this is the best pastry shop in town.”
“It’s the only pastry shop in town, but yes.” Courtney seemed to grow a bit taller, ever proud of the family cake shop’s reputation.
“Well, I’m specifically in the mood for strawberry cupcakes with pink frosting on top. Odd, isn’t it?” He slipped a sly glance my way as I covered my mouth to keep from yelping.
“Pink frosting…” my sister mumbled as she looked over the display. It appeared she was completely unaware of why he made that specific request. “I have some unfrosted strawberry cupcakes in the back that I can frost up for you. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“That would be perfect. I’ll have a half dozen.”
She nodded and disappeared into the back kitchen. Now that we were alone, I shot up from my chair and whisper-yelled at Griffin, “What did I tell you? You weren’t supposed to come in here ever again!”
“What? I was craving it after that free taste test I had this morning. Besides, she doesn’t recognize me.”
I mean, he had a point. Clearly, she had no idea who he was, otherwise this exchange would have been alotmore violent. But still, he was playing with some serious fire.
He’s tormenting you, Jade. Look at that wicked little grin on his face.
Yeah, he was definitely tormenting me, but was it coming from a mean or teasing place? Every little self-doubting part of me wanted to assume the worst, but if he really was here to tease me, wouldn’t that mean…
Wouldn’t that mean he kinda liked me or something?
“It’s my father’s name and face she recognizes,” Griffin continued as he looked over the display case, unaware of the storm brewing inside me. “He’s the much maligned fat cat that everybody knows. Which, I guess, makes me a fat kitten?”
I laughed. “You arenota kitten.”
“Either way. He’s no longer involved in the ocean front development plan. Marketplace Square is all mine. Once everyone realizes that, I think their nerves will settle.”
“I don’t think that’s going to help. We’ve got a saying around these parts…”
He turned to face me. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“The peach doesn’t fall very far from the tree.”
Griffin paused. “I’m pretty sure that’s a saying everywhere—or at least a variation of it.”
“Well, I sure hope it’s not true, Griffin, or else your peach is going to get pitted.”
“Okay, now that’s a saying I haven’t heard. But it sounds like a mild threat.”
