Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“No problem. Are we still on for a cupcake lunch?” he asked. “If you have time, we could meet at Nibbles & Bites first for a salad so we can pretend to balance out the calories between healthy and yummy foods.”
She hesitated before answering honestly, “I’m afraid I can’t take that much time off today.”
“I shouldn’t either but it is tempting to run away where they can’t find me.”
Rose heard a bellow in the background for Boss! “Sounds like something urgent. Go. I’ll see you at two for a cupcake.”
“I can’t wait, Little girl.”
Her phone went black. It was weird for her to miss him after knowing Adam for such a short time, but she did.
Taking a quick sip of the bottle of water she’d grabbed on her way out of Stuff-It, Rose tried to tell herself everything was going to be okay. She gathered her courage and exited the car as she gave herself a continual pep talk on the way to the entrance. Standing outside Little Cakes, she paused to take a deep breath and opened the door. As she walked into the bakery, Rose glanced around, trying to spot Adam. She crossed her fingers, hoping to find him inside.
“Little girl,” a familiar voice greeted her, and without thinking, she rushed forward to wrap her arms around his waist. Immediately, he returned the embrace. “Now that’s the kind of welcome a Daddy could grow to love.”
“Rose! I wondered who Adam was waiting for!” Ellie called across the shop.
Adam gave her one last squeeze before stepping back to take her hand. “I can’t believe we’re both regulars here and we’ve never run into each other. Let’s go order and then we can talk.”
Nodding, Rose let Adam guide her over to the display counter. “Hi, Ellie. I’m glad to see you.”
“How’s the Stuff-It store going? I’d love to organize a time for a group of…” Ellie leaned forward to whisper, “Littles to come in and make a stuffie. Do you host private events?”
“I haven’t ever done that, but we could definitely set up a time like on a Sunday morning before the mall opens?” Rose suggested.
“Do you have a card? I’ll call you when you’re not… busy,” Ellie said with waggling eyebrows.
Producing her business card from her purse, Rose tried not to react to the friendly baker’s words. She glanced at Adam and loved the way his eyes sparkled with amusement. He wasn’t at all embarrassed by Ellie’s cheerful insinuations.
“Adam and I are here to have a cupcake together. Do you have any suggestions for us?”
“Of course! Our featured cupcake is Santa’s Kiss. If you love chocolate, that’s the one for you. There’s a special treat under the Santa’s cap,” Ellie shared.
“Like a chocolate candy?” Rose asked.
“That would be what everyone would expect. Tarson and I created our own yummy treat for Santa’s cap to hide.”
Adam chuckled. “Your smile alone makes me want to find out what that is. I’ll take one. What do you think, Rose? Want to try something new?” he asked, squeezing her hand.
“Yes. I’d like to try it as well,” Rose answered, staring into his hazel eyes. She’d struggled yesterday to remember what color they were. Filling in that small bit of information helped Rose believe she hadn’t made him up. Well, that and having Ellie’s approval too!
“Is Tarson around?” Adam asked after paying for the cupcakes and two large glasses of milk.
“He’s in back mixing up some batter. I can get him for you,” Ellie responded.
“I’d hoped he’d vouch for me so Rose didn’t have to worry that I was a bad character,” Adam shared. His easygoing smile softened the harsh reality of his statement.
Tarson suddenly pushed through the door that led to the back room. “Vouch for you? Heck, I’ve invited you home for dinner with Daisy and me. I’d never let you close to my Little girl if you didn’t have my complete confidence,” he announced, coming up to thump Adam on the back. “You’re dating Rose?”
“I’m hoping to convince her to take a chance on me,” Adam responded, looking at Rose.
Ellie beamed. “Is this your first date? Here at Little Cakes? I’m so honored you chose my bakery. Go select your official table. Twenty years from now, you can come back to celebrate the anniversary of your first date. I’ll bring everything to you in a flash,” she instructed.
As Adam guided Rose to a secluded table by the window, Rose blurted, “Ellie is a sweetheart but she’s enthusiastic. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I think coming back here in twenty years is an incredible idea. I plan to add this to my calendar.”
“Really? You think we’ll be together in twenty years?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“That’s how I feel inside. No pressure on this first date. It’s going well, though. Tarson’s vouched for me. I’ve passed the Ellie test. Now all I have to do is convince you to keep me.”