Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“Want to set up the cash register? I haven’t gotten there yet,” Tori asked.
“On it. Then I’ll go get another tray of the featured cupcake. Your artwork on the sign always makes those go fast.”
A flash of pleasure showed on Tori’s face before she denied her influence. “I think it’s the expertise of the bakers, not me.”
Riley didn’t contradict her. She liked working with Tori a lot. The other woman was extremely hardworking. Riley had gotten there with a couple of minutes to spare before she needed to clock in. Tori had obviously been there for a while. Tori made work, well… less work, but that wasn’t really why Riley enjoyed being scheduled with her. She liked learning a bit more about Tori each shift they spent with each other. Tori wasn’t just shy with a talent for illustrating cupcakes, she was so much more. She just didn’t share her true self with everyone, and Riley could totally identify with that approach to life. The two were more alike than it seemed from their diametrically different appearances.
Riley and Tori fell into an efficient rhythm as Ellie opened the door and customers streamed in to pick up cupcakes for the day. Just as Riley had anticipated, the featured treat of the day went fast. When she slid the third replacement tray into the display, she grinned at Tori in triumph.
“Okay, so maybe they like my advertising,” the quiet woman allowed.
“Or love it,” Riley suggested.
“Oh, those two paramedics are back,” Tori deflected, causing Riley to shift her attention to the door.
Riley’s gaze immediately locked with Milo’s. While she’d worked late into the night on the design for Tatiana, Riley had become increasingly sure that the photo was of Milo. Blowing up the image for clues, she’d discovered a line of four freckles across his shoulder. If she could spot those on Milo, she’d know for sure.
“Hi, Riley. I’d hoped you were working today,” Milo greeted her warmly. The spark in his eye attested to the fact he would have greeted her more heatedly if the counter hadn’t divided them.
“I’m glad to see you, too.” The silent communication they exchanged made Riley shift restlessly to keep from dashing around the display of frosted yumminess to throw herself into his arms.
“Need more cupcakes for your wife?” Riley forced herself to ask, turning to Tom.
“She’s never going to turn down Little Cakes. Although they are dangerous. The last time, Susi considered naming our child Cupcake because ‘Everyone would love him.’” Tom hooked his fingers in the air in mock quote marks as his voice raised to a high falsetto.
“She’s right,” Riley commented as she laughed.
“Poor kid. He would get so beaten up on the playground with the name Cupcake. I talked her out of it, thank goodness,” Tom reported with fake seriousness.
Efficiently, Riley boxed up a half dozen for him as she watched Milo study the list he’d pulled from his back pocket and the display of choices available that day. He’ll never figure it out.
Setting the box on the counter, she asked, “What can I get you guys to munch on between calls?”
“I’m going to try Crème Brûlée today,” Milo decided.
“A fan favorite,” Riley assured him as she plucked it from the tray. She stifled a chuckle as he scratched that one off his list.
“I’ll take Mint Explosion,” Tom decided.
“That one’s yummy,” Riley commented, nodding her approval.
“Your favorite?” Milo probed.
“Nope. But it’s really good.”
This time Riley laughed out loud as Milo pulled the paper back out of his pocket to scratch it off as well.
“I’m going to figure this out, baby,” he promised, curling his index finger to draw her to him.
As Tori rang them up at the counter, Riley obeyed his command and rounded the counter to stand near him. She shivered against him when he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist to pull her close. Without hesitating, Riley tilted her head up to invite his kiss.
“Whoa! I totally saw this coming.”
Ellie’s celebration made them break apart to look at her.
“You knew Milo and I would become friends?” Riley asked with fake innocence.
“Of course I did. I can guarantee you that Tori’s next. The delivery guy was checking her out this morning.”
“He was not,” Tori protested as her face turned bright red. “He’s like thirty-five or something.”
“You’re killing me here,” Milo bemoaned. “That’s not that old.”
“Not at all,” Ellie backed him up with a comforting pat on his arm. “Besides, I’m just teasing. I do think Tori is next in line for a romantic connection.”
“I’ll go get more cupcakes,” Tori declared, fleeing to the back.
“Do I have something on my shirt?” Milo asked, peering down at the front of his shirt, causing Riley to stop easing his shirt slightly to the side.
“No. Sorry. It was cattywampus.” She winced inwardly at her invented excuse, sorry that the focus on Tori hadn’t been enough of a distraction to allow her to look for that line of freckles. To her relief, Milo didn’t ask any more questions. A squawk of the radio at their belts yanked their attention away and with a light kiss goodbye, he was off.