Page 120 of Bake the Town Red

My head snaps up. My neck almost breaks with the speed. Tyler’s out there. Watching my shop, in the bustling street. I narrow my eyes, searching the crowd and groaning when I can’t find him.

Not fair. He sees me while I have no idea where he is. I go back to my phone, typing at rapid speed.

Me:He’s harmless. And polite. Come inside for a cupcake?

The second message from him comes within a second.

Tyler:I don’t know. The line is way too long. The cupcakes even worth it?

Despite his teasing, my heart does this weird, delighted hop-hop-hippity-hop in my chest.

He’s been sweet. Offering me a glimpse of the old Tyler. The one I fell for hard and fast the second my hormones kicked in.

He protected me, as much as he could. Took me in instead of throwing me into the hands of the foster care system. Forced me to shower, fed me. He hugged me through my meltdowns and basically saved my life.

That Tyler made jokes.

Do I love that side more? No.

The stalker, the killer, the unhinged lover—I love him just the same.

I wouldn’t want to change him for the world. Wouldn’t ask him to be anyone else.

Mine.

Me:Testing me?

“I think I’d like…” the customer murmurs.

The scent of chocolate icing carries to my nostrils. I can guess what pimple guy will say before he does.

“Yes?” I ask anyway.

The phone buzzes in my hand.

Tyler:I’d rather be spanking you.

The customer points at my Boston Scream—aka Boston Cream cupcake. White cake filled with custard and chocolate icing on top. And it couldn’t be a part of my Halloween collection without my special touch.

Using white frosting, I draw on top of the chocolate one a Ghostface’s mask. No stencil. Just me. It takes forever and I make less of them, but I can’t help it.

This cupcake is too precious. Of course it deserves the hot couture treatment.

Tyler’s message. Right. I forgot to answer.

Me:You’d have to visit me for that. Come out of hiding?

Tyler:And spank you before your customers?

My curious gaze scans the crowds a second time as I go through the motions of serving my client. Arm reaching inside the display window. Cupcake goes into a cardboard box. Money in the registry.

Kah-ching.

And a message from my lover.

Tyler:If you smile at the kid one more time, I’ll cut him up. Paint your bakery red with his blood.

I give Pimple the biggest smile.

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