Page 31 of Damascus & The Wildfire
“What?” she asked.
“I didn’t know there was even a place that only sold paper.”
“They have an antique gold paper that will be perfect for the invitations. And it’s not just paper. They sell gifts, too.”
I gave her a skeptical glance as we walked in, my hand brushing her back as I ushered her through the door.
“I’ll be back at the paper bar. It shouldn’t take long if you want to browse.”
An entire goddamn store for paper. Journals, cards, and crafts. Shit I’d never imagined, like measuring spoons in the shape of tulips and cat-themed coasters. I listened as she and another woman debated different weights of paper and whether she should go with the cotton or shimmer, whatever that meant.
I picked up a small plush fox. Its red fur reminded me of Kenna’s vibrant auburn hair. I carried it to the cashier, pulling out my wallet.
“I don’t need a bag,” I said as I ripped off the tag and held the small toy behind my back.
Kenna approached with a stack of wrapped paper. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t able to find the perfect journal to write all my feelings in,” I joked. “Too bad.”
She laughed as I followed her back to the parking lot. Once she settled in the driver’s seat, I grinned at her. “I have a surprise for you.”
Her eyes widened as I pulled the small fox from behind my back.
“It’s so cute!” Her voice heightened as she took the plush toy into her hand. “Thank you.”
“It reminded me of you. Small. Clever. Red fur.”
“I do not have fur.”
I raised a brow suggestively. “Good to know.”
She giggled as she set the fox in the corner of her dash. She opened her purse, fishing out a small pill packet, and popped one into her mouth.
“You OK?” I asked.
She grimaced. “Yeah, I can just feel a migraine trying to break through. I get them about once a month. I’m fine, though. This should stop it.” Kenna punched the address to the bakery into her GPS and pulled away from the paper store.
“Why aren’t we having Maisie bake the cakes for the party?”
“Maisie is bringing cinnamon rolls and donuts, but she doesn’t make custom cakes. And this cake is going to make a statement.”
“What does that even mean?” I groaned.
Kenna laughed. “To be honest, I don’t know. The baker is going to show us what she came up with today.”
She parked outside a bakery, pausing to pat the toy fox on its head. “Should I leave the window cracked for him?”
I chuckled. “Probably best you don’t. Not with the Jackals slinking around. And if my cut gets stolen, Thane will skin me alive.”
“Sorry, little guy.” She apologized to the toy before glancing at me. “Could I get a tiny fox-sized cut for him? He could be the little Mavericks mascot.”
“We’ll have to check with Rhetta on that one. She handles the orders for cuts and patches.”
The bell clanged as we walked through the bakery door. A wall of cool air hit us, countering the midday Texas heat.
A tall brunette came around the corner, wearing a white apron streaked with colored frosting. “Are you two here for a wedding cake tasting?”
I wrapped an arm around Kenna. “When is our wedding, doll?”
