Page 11 of My Prince

Fade shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, you’re in Pittsburg because you followed me. I’m here because...” He pointed over his shoulder toward the Mexican restaurant. “Tacos.” Then he gestured to the donut place. “Maple bacon Long Johns.”

“You drove here for tacos and donuts?” I asked, incredulous. “You do know that it’s barely ten o’clock, right?”

Fade laughed, the sound rich and warm. “What can I say? I have a craving.”

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “This doesn’t cease to amaze me. You bikers are always marching to your own drum.”

He winked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I aim to please.”

As much as I wanted to stay annoyed, it was hard to remain upset with Fade when he was in a good mood. There was something infectious about his carefree attitude, a stark contrast to the intensity he usually carried.

“These must be some good tacos and donuts.”

“They’re the best I’ve ever had, cupcake,” Fade declared, a confident grin spreading across his face.

I quirked my lips in amusement. “Maybe I should be the judge of that. At least with the donuts.”

“You some donut expert?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“In another life I was.” Another life indeed, I thought, memories flickering briefly in my mind.

He motioned towards the donut place. “Well, welcome to the Donut Kingdom, cupcake. You can tell me if my taste buds are right or not.”

We walked into the donut shop, and I was immediately struck by how vibrant and bright the place was. The walls were painted in cheerful colors—yellows, pinks, and blues—that seemed to lift my spirits just by looking at them. The air was filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked dough, sugar, and icing.

The display cases were packed with over twenty varieties of donuts, each one more enticing than the last. There were the classics: glazed, chocolate, and powdered sugar. But there were also more unique flavors: maple bacon Long Johns, blueberry lavender, and even donuts topped with fruity pebbles. The sheer variety was overwhelming, and my mouth watered at the sight.

Seven small tables were scattered around the shop, each adorned with a small vase of fresh flowers. The place had a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that made it easy to see why it was so popular.

We got in line, and I couldn’t help but comment, “I have to say, I have never been to a donut shop that has had a line.”

Fade smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “That’s because you’ve never had a donut like these, cupcake.”

As we waited, I studied the different options, trying to decide which ones to try. The line moved quickly, and soon we were at the counter. The friendly cashier greeted us with a smile.

“What can I get for you today?” she asked.

Fade looked at me expectantly. “You first, cupcake.”

I scanned the case one last time before making my decision. “I’ll take a maple bacon Long John, a blueberry lavender, and a classic glazed.”

Fade nodded approvingly. “Good choices. I’ll have the same.”

The cashier quickly packed up our donuts, and we found a table by the window. Fade placed the box between us, and I opened it, feeling a childlike excitement.

“Alright,” I said, picking up the maple bacon Long John. “Let’s see if these live up to the hype.”

I took a bite, and my eyes widened in surprise. The combination of the sweet maple glaze and the salty bacon was perfection. “Okay, I admit it. This is pretty amazing.”

Fade chuckled, taking a bite of his own. “Told you. These donuts are life-changing.”

We continued sampling the donuts, each one more delicious than the last. The blueberry lavender was a delightful mix of fruity and floral, and the classic glazed was just the right balance of sweet and doughy.

“Was your plan to get me in a sugar coma and I would forget about the interview?” I asked as I licked the sticky sweet icing off my fingers.

Fade shrugged. “I mean, I really just wanted a donut, but if you’re close to being in a sugar coma, I think you need to finish that Long John.”

“Nice try,” I laughed. “But I’m a certified sugar addict.”

---