Page 36 of Baking it Merry

“Excellent!We’ll stop at her booth—which is absolutely adorable!—and see what she’d like.I was thinking we could go to the Asian fusion place around the corner.I love their Cantonese Tiger Beef.It’s a little spicy, but so good.Does Daphne like spicy foods?”

“Maybe?”he said vaguely.“It’s never come up in conversation.”

“Let’s go find out!”She stood and headed for the door.“She’s going to make up cookies for your grandmother to bring to her new…you know…the assisted living place.”

“It’s okay to call it her home, Mom.You said it’s nice and that the staff have all been very attentive.I think the more you refer to it as her home, the more comfortable she’ll feel about it too.”

Turning, she smiled at him.“You’re very wise, Tristan.Thank you.”

Together they rode the elevator down to the lobby while talking about how well the party had gone and the plans for the one this weekend.

“Your girlfriend has a gift,” his mother was saying.“Truly.I’ve worked with a lot of party planners and caterers, and nothing was ever as festive and charming as your home was Saturday night.And the ornaments you asked everyone to place on the tree?That was such a wonderful, personal touch.She really created something that I never envisioned.”

Grinning, he felt a bit proud.“I’ll take that as a compliment because you are the queen of parties.”

“You’re sweet,” she told him.They were approaching Daphne’s booth, and she was talking to a customer.“You have to admire her creativity.I mean, look at this booth!It looks like a life-size gingerbread house!I almost thought it was edible because it looked so real!I’m telling you, she’s amazing.”

They stood in silence for a moment, and Tristan was wondering how he was supposed to act.Was he supposed to go up and kiss her or just act casual?

“Maybe it’s too soon to ask,” Cynthia softly began, “but…is this serious?Because I already see her fitting into our family.Does she have plans for the holidays?Do you think she’ll be free to join us?”

“Mom, this is all new, and Daphne has a family of her own.We’re taking this one day at a time.”

“Oh.Okay.”

They stepped up to the booth when the customer walked away and Tristan could feel his mother’s disappointment.He hated disappointing her, but he also didn’t want to give her false hope.This arrangement with Daphne was only supposed to be for the parties.There was no way he would impose on her beyond that.

In the meantime, however, he would do what he could to keep their ruse going.

“Hello, love,” he said as they approached the counter.“How’s your morning going?”Her smile was radiant, and he fought the urge to lean over and kiss her.

You know, to keep up appearances and all.

“Definitely busy,” she replied.“My goal was to do this four days a week so I could do the bulk of my prep work over the weekend and have at least one day off.But I think for the month of December, I may need to be here Monday through Friday.I almost can’t keep up with it all.This has been my busiest year yet!”

“That’s because your food is delicious,” his mother chimed in.“It’s a shame there isn’t an actual storefront here in the building.If there was, I’d bet the landlord would love to have you here full time.It’s obvious all the tenants and employees love what you do.”

Daphne glanced at him with an almost smug look and he did his best to keep his own expression neutral.

But he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Tristan and I are going to the Asian fusion place around the corner for lunch and we wanted to know if we could bring something back for you.”

“Ooh…I love that place.They have this spicy, crispy beef dish that is to die for!”

Beside him, his mother gasped happily.“You like the Cantonese Tiger Beef too?It’s my favorite!”

“Yes!I always forget the name!”Daphne laughed.“But it’s seriously one of my favorite dishes.I’ve ordered it multiple times since I set the booth up last month.And I never have leftovers because it’s the kind of dish you have to eat fresh.”

“Then that’s what we’ll bring you!Do you need a drink?”

“Thanks, but I’m good!”Turning to Tristan, she grinned.“It was so sweet of the two of you to think of me.”Then she batted her eyelashes at him.

“Anything for you, love,” he said before leaning in and kissing her.Tristan knew he took her by surprise, but he kept this kiss short and chaste.When he pulled back, he loved the dazzled look on her face.“We’ll be back soon.”

“I can’t wait,” she whispered.

Did he bring her back lunch?Yes.

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