Page 13 of Sweet Bred

“Did you decide what flavors you want?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. Not yet. I’m still mulling it over.”

“There’s no rush. I was just curious. You’re welcome to take your time. As we discussed, a wedding cake is a serious commitment.”

His tone is lighthearted, but his words settle in my chest, weightier than they should be.

“Have you ever had a customer regret their decision?” I ask.

“You mean, they wish they’d chosen a different flavor of cake?”

I nod.

“Not that I’m aware of,” he says thoughtfully. “But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Is that a concern of yours? Regret?”

Suddenly it feels a little too obvious that I have more than cake on my mind. “No. Never mind. I’m sure it will be fine.” Time to change the subject. “How’s your little niece doing, by the way?”

Shaw looks at me curiously, undoubtedly thrown off by the sudden change of subject. But then he smiles and says, “She’s good. Want to see a photo of her?”

I nod and watch as Shaw pulls out his phone.

Despite myself, there’s something extremely attractive about Shaw being a proud uncle and showing off the photos of his niece. I lean in, our heads drawing closer together as I get a better look at his phone.

“Oh my gosh, those cheeks!” I say, cooing. “She’s a doll.”

“I know I’m biased, but I think so, too.” He swipes the screen to show me another photo. Somehow she’s even cuter in the next one.

“Okay, I need to stop looking at these photos. They’re giving me major baby fever.” I laugh as I say that, but when my eyes lift and meet Shaw’s, a hot feeling blooms over my skin and I feel my face flush. Flustered, I sit back against my side of the booth and scramble for something else to talk about.

My eyes land on a poster pinned to the wall announcing an upcoming outdoor movie series. “Looks like that’s starting soon. Do you think you’ll go to any?”

Shaw’s gaze slides over to scan the poster. “I’ve never even heard of most of those.”

“Really? Some of these were really popular when they came out.”

“I’m not really in the loop with stuff like that. Same goes for music. I have no idea what bands are big right now.”

I suck in air between my teeth. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those people who thinks all of today’s music is garbage.’”

“Nah. I wouldn’t say that.”

“Good. Because some of it’s fantastic.”

He smiles. “I believe you.”

Our server pauses on his way past our booth. “Can I get you guys another round?”

Shaw glances at me. I’m tempted—so tempted—to say yes. But I’m not sure I trust myself around this man with a second gin and tonic in my system. It already feels like I’m doing something inappropriate by sitting here with him.

“I really should get going, actually,” I say.

Shaw nods and turns to our server. “Just the check, please. Thanks.”

The server drops the check on our table, and Shaw pays for it with cash before I can even get my wallet out.

“Wait, Shaw—” I protest.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it.”

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