Page 96 of Resisting the Grump

“Seen what?”

“His latest article.”

I searched her eyes and realized instantly that she knew something I didn’t. “I haven’t had a chance. After I picked up the balloons this morning, getting them here safely was all I could think about.”

She raised a finger as if to say, “Stay here,” and my eyes followed her around the counter to where she’d stashed her purse. She pulled a folded magazine out and flipped through the pages as she wandered back in my direction. Then she spread it open on the counter near the register and smoothed the glossy pages down.

The title caught my eye first. The Cake Café: A Hidden Gem with Obvious Flavor

“What’s wrong?” Grace asked, clocking my shock.

“He told me he wouldn’t write about this place,” I said. “He promised.”

“Just read it. I’ll be back after I put out some more scones and shortbread.”

The commotion around me faded to a distant blur as I dropped my gaze and found the first sentence. By the time I started reading, my heart was racing. But I don’t know what I was so worried about. The whole thing was extremely complimentary.

He started by sharing that he was pleasantly surprised by our entries at the Star Baker festival before confessing he’d sampled most of our menu in the months since the competition. Not only were there no cruel or cutting remarks, but he insisted the sweet smells, service, and scone selection were enough to “bake your day.” My jaw dropped as I re-read the line multiple times, but the pun remained. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Just when you thought you knew someone.

Overall, he gave us five full forks. It was the highest number of forks he could give. Warmth fluttered through my chest. What a guy! What a ridiculously generous gesture!

I was about to lift my head when the small print caught my eye. It was a disclaimer at the end of the article, all in italics. Usually it stated that Oliver had no affiliation with the restaurant, that the opinions were his own, and that the magazine was not responsible for them.

But this one was completely different. It said:

Oliver Harrington is a loyal customer at the Cake Café. While his professional opinion on the confectionary menu is honest and objective, his personal opinion is that the auburn-haired barista is the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on and the fact that he’s madly in love with her may have influenced this article.

Madly in love.

Not reservedly. Not logically. Not temporarily.

Madly.

The hair on my arms stood up and I looked first at my goosebumps and then over my shoulder. Oliver was standing by the door, his dark eyes shining in my direction. Grace greeted him with a hug, and he congratulated her as I watched from afar.

Part of me wanted to join them and wished I could hear what she was saying, but I couldn’t move. All I could do was watch as the man who once made me so mad and now loved me madly exchanged enthusiastic pleasantries with my engaged boss and bestie. To say the situation felt surreal didn’t even scratch the surface on how smitten and shocked and satisfied I was feeling.

Fortunately, Oliver eventually managed to excuse himself and come over. “Sorry I’m late,” he said, kissing me on the cheek as his hand found my lower back. “I ran home to feed Simba.”

“Actually, you’re right on time.”

He hugged me to his side before noticing his article spread across the counter. “What do you think?”

A smile lifted my cheeks. “I think you have a real shot with the auburn-haired barista.”

He laughed.

“But I’m not sure that’s acceptable journalism.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is ‘objective,’” he said. “And it’s not.”

“Couldn’t you lose your job?” I asked. “For bucking the trend and writing something so nice.”

“You can’t fire somebody for falling in love,” he said. “Besides, the editors wouldn’t have printed it if they weren’t okay with it.”

“Fair point.” I glanced back at the unexpected disclaimer-cum-declaration, my mind boggling at the fact that thousands of copies were probably being read all across the city as we spoke.

“Plus, my job is to write the truth.”

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