Page 11 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“I’m great, thanks.” She gives me a quick once-over and hits me square in the middle of the chest. “Dang, you grew up well, Mr. Whitman.”
I snort a laugh. “Well, thank you, ma’am.” I pretend to tip my hat.
Krista looks over her shoulder and grins widely at her friend. “Hmm, look who’s here, Joy. It’sBurk.” She draws out my name, enunciating it and popping the K.
Joy narrows her eyes at her friend and blushes. Something tells me there’s an inside joke I’m not privy to. “I see him,” Joy replies with a deadpan voice.
Krista hits me on the arm playfully. “What can we get you?”
I glance over at the menu for tonight and request, “Well, I’ve never been a huge fan of gingerbread?—”
“But you’ve never had Joy’s gingerbread,” Krista states, moving behind the counter once more and starting to make a drink.
“If you want the other drink, that’s fine. Don’t let her bully you into something you don’t want,” Joy says, embarrassment lighting her face.
“Well, Krista cut me off, but I was about to say practically the same thing. I’ll have a gingerbread latte and one of the cake pops, please.” I pull cash from my wallet, and thankfully, this time, she quickly rings it up.
“Seven dollars, please.”
As she grabs one of the cake pops and slips it inside a small bag, I pull a ten out and set it on the counter.
“What are your plans for this evening, Burk?” Krista asks, finishing up my warm drink.
“I thought I’d try to catch some of the pageant,” I tell her.
“Us too! Joy closes at six forty-five so we can join her family under the big oak tree. You should come too!” Krista states, the glint in her eyes letting me know she’s up to something.
I flash her an easy smile. “I don’t want to interrupt family time.”
“You’re not!” Krista declares, completely ignoring her best friend.
Joy looks a little mortified, and I can’t help but feel like an imposition. “We’ll see,” I finally state, hoping to appease both women without making anyone uncomfortable. Just becauseJoy mentioned us catching up doesn’t mean she wants to do it tonight.
The air feels thick as I take my change from Joy and slip it into the tip jar. There’s a line a mile long behind me, and it’s nearing her closing time. She doesn’t have time to entertain me, so I step to the side to wait for my drink and the next customer can place their order.
I keep my eyes down as I wait, and fortunately, it only takes another minute before my drink is ready. “Here ya go, Burk,” Krista says eagerly, sliding the cup across the counter. “Come by the tree, all right?”
I nod, grabbing my drink and lifting it in a salute. Just as I start to turn, I see Joy watching me. “Thanks,” I state, hoping not to cause her any more discomfort.
Heading for the door, I still feel her eyes on me, but I don’t look back. She was clearly embarrassed that her friend invited me to join her and her family for the pageant. Because she doesn’t want to hang out? Maybe she’s dating someone? Who knows, but I’m not going to make this awkward for everyone.
I make my way around to the opposite side of the park and watch as the pageant gets ready to begin. Holiday music is playing, and everyone seems to be grabbing their final refreshments before the competition starts. I notice the lights in the bakery turn off as a handful of people exit the storefront.
Taking my cake pop out of the small bag, I steal a bite of the chocolate cake on a stick. The flavors explode on my tongue, and all I can think about is how it’s so much better than any basic chocolate treat. Then I sample the gingerbread latte, and I can’t get over how damn good it is. I don’t even like gingerbread, but I’d purchase another one of these drinks tomorrow if she offered them.
“Burk?”
Looking toward the voice, I smile when I see Joy’s older sister, Eve. “Hey, Even Steven,” I say with a chuckle.
She hits me in the chest and pulls me into a hug, careful not to spill my drink or knock the cake pop from my hand. “I see you’ve been to the bakery,” she states, noting the logo printed on the side of the cup.
“Just left there.” I look over at the man standing beside Eve and shift my cup to my other hand so I can extend it. “John Mitchell, right?”
He nods, taking my hand and giving it a shake. “Yep. Nice to see you again, Burk.”
“It’s been a while,” I confirm, even though neither need it.
“How’s your grandpa?” Eve asks, her green eyes full of concern.
