Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“Amazing work,” she says of the bakery when I give her a nod and say hi.
Lake snaps his gaze in her direction, lingering longer than I would have expected. It’s like seeing her in this context throws him off.
After that, I can’t clock everyone’s reaction, because I’ve got cookies to serve.
Things slow down again after that, followed by another rush. I’m glad, so damn glad, this one isn’t full of family or friends. There’s Luis from some clothing shop on Main Street. Then the woman who runs the Green Pantry, along with her kids. Next comes the barista from Rise and Grind, saying our cookies are better than the ones in her shop.
After that, someone I don’t know comes in, and then a whole lot of other strangers.
Soon enough, someone I know well strolls in.
Sarah and her towhead toddler son.
“Hey,” I say to the woman with the blonde pixie cut and the tattoos snaking down the pale skin of her arms. Mabel arches a curious brow, but then Charlotte waves and says, “Hi, Mom. Hi, Benny.”
Mabel waves too, and smiles, and my shoulders relax.
Huh.
Did I think she’d be jealous? Wonder if she was curious about my relationship with Sarah?
For fuck’s sake, man, you’re thinking about her far too much.
I clear my throat. “Mabel, I want you to meet Charlotte’s mom. This is Sarah. And Sarah, this is Mabel.”
Dammit, just saying her name makes my lips twist in a smile that might give me away. I school my expression. “She’s the genius behind this entire place. She had the idea, the name, the concept, the colors, and the foundation for the menu. The marketing. I’m just lucky to be along for the ride.”
Mabel blushes and waves a hand like she’s done none of those things, but I can tell she’s happy. It radiates from her. It’s in the color that stains her cheeks beautifully, and it’s in her hand that pushes my shoulder playfully.
“Don’t let the humble act of his fool you,” she says to Sarah. “He is a pretty damn good baker, and he keeps me organized and balanced and…” She stops to look at me. “He’s my biggest cheerleader.”
Sarah’s quiet for a long beat, then she smiles and finally says, “Sounds like you two are a perfect match.”
I flinch, wondering if Sarah’s onto us. But Mabel simply laughs. Charlotte scurries out from around the counter to show Benny around the bakery.
“I need to fetch the batch of cookies I’ve been baking,” Mabel says, and when she takes off into the kitchen, I watch her go, the pleated skirt of the dress I got her swishing against her thighs.
When I turn back to Sarah, she’s giving me a smug smile. “You like her.”
“Shut up,” I mutter.
“So I was right. You do.”
Why bother to deny it? She’s figured it out already. “Yeah, but it’s complicated.”
“She’s Theo’s sister,” Sarah says thoughtfully, but she doesn’t sound like she’s chiding me, more like she’s just making a basic observation.
“I’m aware. And I’m not going to do anything about it.”
Well, I’m not going to do anything about it again. Not after the basting brush. I’m really, truly stopping this time.
She sighs. “Corbin, that’s not what I was going to say.”
“What were you going to say?”
Sarah checks behind her, then glances toward the door to the kitchen. “That I know you’ll do the right thing.”
My gut churns. Pretty sure it’s too late for that. I’ve been doing the forbidden thing too often and making excuses for my choices.
“Thanks for letting Charlotte spend the day here. Means a lot to me,” I say, shifting gears.
“Of course. I want to see this succeed too. I know it will,” she says, then nods to the display cases. “And I’ll take some of the monkey bread and a half dozen cookies. An assortment.”
“Thanks, Sarah,” I say, grateful to focus on the food order rather than her spot-on assessment.
When the treats are packed, Charlotte folds her apron and tucks it away in a drawer, then reminds me of my schedule for tomorrow.
“Yes, I know I have morning skate, and then a game.”
“See you on Monday after school,” she says, then leaves.
My gut twists once again when Theo enters with his parents a little later. Mabel told me recently about how they aren’t terribly supportive. All my protective instincts kick in. I stand a little taller, move a little closer to her, like I can shield her from something. Their disapproval? Their lack of support? Well, whatever it is, I’m going to look out for her.
And I’m going to do whatever I can to make this go smoothly.
“Welcome to Afternoon Delight. How can I help you?”
And as if I summoned it by wanting to help her, a crowd pours in. That’s good. Since Mabel won’t be able to spend too much time tending to two people who don’t entirely support her with our shopfront full. And it’s good too, because her parents can see how successful this bakery will be.