Page 13 of Playoffs & Promises

"There's no point Isa. It won't change the past."

"Well let me know when he's suffered enough for his deeds, meanwhile I'm going to invest in glue."

She cackles, and I laugh as I flip the sign from closed to open. As soon as the door opens customers are at the door and I smile in greeting. My bakery is here to stay and there's no way I'm going to let Lou stop me.

The morning stays busy, and Isabella and I work well together to bring smiles to customer's faces. The cupcakes are a hit and people are taking pictures and buying one of each. It's easily tripled my normal cupcake sales for the morning rush as most people pick it up for an afternoon treat. By the time Nate makes it through the doors, he's signed at least five things for people and taken at least as many selfies. The crowd thins, but it won't stay that way for long as soon as people realize that he's here.

He smiles when he sees me and asks, "Think you could fit in making a cake for an Engagement Party?"

I grin and come around the counter to hug him. "Absolutely. When is the party?"

"We have a game break just after New Year’s."

"Wonderful." I tell him. "I'll text Lia and we can schedule a cake tasting to go over flavors and design."

His shoulders relax. "Any problem if Penelope comes?"

"I already planned on Penelope coming." I move back around the counter.

Isa's eyes might as well have hearts in them as she stares up at him. "If I ever end up with a man half as good as you are with your fiancé and daughter I'll be lucky."

A touch of pink appears high on his neck and he clears his throat before telling her. "I'm sure you'll find them."

"The regular?" I ask him to change the subject, pointing toward a bacon and egg stuffed croissant.

He nods, "And a lemon bar for Lou, I owe him one."

I freeze.

Isa saves me. "We're all out today. Ran out of lemons."

Nate frowns, and I notice his eyes glance behind me toward the back of the bakery. "Any chance you'll be making them later?"

I shake my head. "Sorry. Cupcakes are taking a priority today." I point to the tray of cupcakes I'd decorated earlier. Half of them have already sold this morning, and as soon as I can I'll be decorating more.

Nate shifts his focus to the cupcakes, and to my surprise says, "I'll take the rest. The team will love them."

"What?" I ask him, my eyes wide. I shouldn't be surprised, he's bought for the team before, and even though the arena puts in orders directly now, he still bought extra for them yesterday. He'd said something about a special practice. It should have been another week at least before he bought for them again.

Isa came to my rescue and started to box up the cupcakes. Nate followed her to the register, and I knew I had to put my foot down about giving any to Lou.

"Nate."

He hands Isa his card then looks at me.

"Lou can't have one."

He smiles, and takes his card back from Isa before signing the receipt. "I know."

I cross my arms. "I mean it, Nate."

"Maria, if you were serious?—"

"If he gets any, I won't make your wedding cake."

That makes the smile disappear from his face. "Maria."

"Not a crumb, and don't think that he can have any of the cake at your party either. So figure out who's watching it all night."

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