Page 26 of Some Like It Hot

“Seven?” I exclaim. “What is he, my grandfather? Who the hell is up at seven when they work at night?”

“The Racketeers don’t play tomorrow,” Luna tells me. “They have practice at noon. It doesn’t matter, anyway. You’ll be working by seven.”

She’s right, but I’m determined to be annoyed with Blake for any and every possible reason I can be. I swipe the text away. “Let me go change.”

It takes me ten minutes to change into a red wiggle dress that hugs every ample curve I have. I strap on black Mary Jane style platforms and attach a black fascinator to my curls. It’s tempting to put on a statement necklace, but I don’t want to distract from the dress, which can make any woman in existence feel like a certified bombshell.

I head back downstairs.

CHAPTER 7

Simon

The fact that the sweet woman who I want to absolutely eat up works in a bakery is perfect. I step through the door of Books and Buns, and am met with the sound of a tinkling bell overhead and the mouthwatering aroma of butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate, and I’m instantly delighted.

There are a couple of women sitting at a small table near the window, and an older gentleman with his newspaper, a coffee cup and an empty plate at a high table closer to the counter, but it is relatively quiet. I’d chosen to come after noon, assuming the bakery was busier in the morning.

Finding out where Elise works was easy. Nathan had returned to his box at the Racketeers arena after Elise had departed and had taken one look at my grin and asked if I was going to see her again. When I said, ‘yes, as soon as you tell me where to find her’, he’d given me the name and address of the bakery. I chalk it up to him being madly in love and now a dad. I’m not sure the old Nathan would have given the information up as easily, but the new Nathan is head over heels and understands the need I’m feeling. I have to see her.

I’d given Elise a couple of days and yes, I’d hoped that perhaps she would reach out to me, but I wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t. Not only had she been flustered the other night, but she clearly has a stubborn streak. Whatever it is that makes her think that nothing can happen between us is rooted deep.

I look forward to convincing her she’s wrong.

Starting today.

The tiny woman behind the counter has blonde hair that’s almost white with pink streaks through it, is wearing a bright pink apron, and greets me with a friendly smile.

“Welcome! Can I help you?”

“You must be Luna,” I say, giving her the smile I use when seeing my grandmother, asking my assistant to do a particularly annoying task for me, or buying from the lovely ladies who run the fresh produce market down the street from my building. It’s my charming-but-I’m-not-flirting smile.

“I am. Have we met?” Luna asks.

“No. I’m Nathan Armstrong‘s cousin. He told me all about your bakery and that you and Danielle used to be in business together.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re Simon?”

Ah, ha. Someone has mentioned my name. I hope it wasn’t Danielle. Or that it wasn’t only Danielle, anyway.

I tuck my hands into my pants pockets and work on acting nonchalant. “That’s right. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Her smile changes from friendly to sly. “Are you here to try my macarons?”

“Of course. And eclairs.” Everything in the bakery case looks amazing.

She laughs lightly, the sound making me smile. “I don’t think we should start our friendship off with a lie Simon.”

“Are we going to be friends?” I ask.

“As long as you treat Elise well, we will be,” she says. “I care about that girl and she deserves a great guy.”

Excellent. Elise has mentioned me. By name.

“That is completely my intention. Is she here?” I ask, deciding there’s no reason to tease or joke about why I’m here.

“Actually, she’s?—”

“Simon?”

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