Page 49 of Love at Teamsgiving
“We could grab dinner.”
“I’m stuffed, and anyway, I meant about the cake.”
“I liked your idea about the Thanksgiving theme. Plus, there’s one more place.” I explain how I got the names wrong when I plugged them into my GPS.
We pull up to Casey’s Kakes—another unique spelling, but this place has a pink and white striped awning, a shabby chic style, and while the walls are white, they’re covered in photos of smiling couples on their wedding days, cutting the cake.
Plus, butter and sugar scent the air, and a display case filled to the brim with delicious baked goods greets us, along with a sign that says, “Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice to Slice.”
While Casey prepares some samples, I say, “Tell me about the dessert table with a Thanksgiving theme.”
“I don’t want to think about Thanksgiving.”
“Why?”
“Because my first attempt at making a pumpkin pie was an abysmal failure.”
“Maybe we could bake one together.”
She scoffs as Casey brings out normal-looking desserts, addresses both of us, and doesn’t claim tobe the cake.
My thoughts trip up on what she said about not wanting to think about Thanksgiving. We have games surrounding the holiday, but we will get the day off.
My family puts thefunin dysfunctional, but I imagine it’ll be lonely with just Junie and her mom this year.
But she’s smiling as she licks the cinnamon cream cheese frosting off her fork.
“That was good. I think we found a winner.”
“I would say so.” I dab my mouth so I don’t drool.
Forget the cake, I want her.
Her gaze floats to mine and I let it linger, soak it in. Junie may not be able to say with words how she feels about me, but I can’tnotsee it.
I whisper, “You’re looking at me again.”
“Am not.”
“Are so.”
“Where else am I supposed to look? You’re seated across from me.”
“You could look at the truth.”
“Oh, and what is that?” She cocks her head.
My half smile grows. “That we had a good time today.”
“A good time? Debatable. But the pumpkin spice, chocolate swirl, cream cheese frosted cake was good.”
I shake my head slowly. “As bad as we can be together, we can also be good.”
“Also debatable.”
“There’s still something between us.”
She’s saved by Casey, who returns with one more sample. “I haven’t officially debuted this on the menu, but your timing is perfect, so I figure, why not take a chance. Maybe you’ll like it.
