Page 27 of Don't Leave Me

“Pecker took me last night, but he didn’t tell me it was your shop!” I turn my full attention towards him and glare. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want you to like me because of my sister.” He thrusts his tongue into his cheek, trying to keep a straight face.

“Your hot chocolate cookies were amazing! And the orange cranberry scones were the best I’ve ever had.” I'm practically bouncing in my seat with excitement.

“Thank you. I think Pecker actually came up with the scone recipe.”

“What?” My attention snaps to my new boyfriend and I stare at him in disbelief. “Seriously?”

“I didn’t come up with it.” He rolls his eyes. “I took her recipe and improved it.”

“He changed almost everything,” Sydney laughs. “He’s amazing at creating his own recipes and decorating as you can see.” She motions to the cookies. “Though, I think you might be better.”

“Thank you. One day I want to open my own bakery. I just need to figure out where I want to do that.”

“Maple Springs is pretty nice,” Pecker mutters under his breath.

“Sydney already claimed Maple springs. I’d have to go somewhere else.”

“Or we can kick her out.”

“Pecker!” I stare at him with wide eyes.

“Oh, ignore him. But if you stay and you want a job, let me know. I'm looking for another baker to help me in the mornings.”

“Do I get to see these magical recipes?”

“Only if you promise to not open a bakery within an hour of here and use my recipes.” Sydney arches a brow, waiting for me to respond.

“I would never! But does that mean if I open one in Philadelphia, I can use them?”

“Yup! I'm never leaving Maple Springs, so feel free.”

“Oh my gosh! When can I start?” I clap excitedly.

“Though I’d love to have you start tomorrow, I'm so busy over the next few days with orders, I wouldn’t be able to get you settled in. Plus, I know you just got to town. Why don’t you relax until after Christmas and you can start on the twenty-sixth?”

“That sounds great! I'm so excited!”

“Me too. I hear you make good baklava and carrot cake. I might need some help with those because mine are lacking and I want to learn your tricks.” Sydney grins.

“I’ll teach you everything I know.”

Chapter 11

Pecker

“This is my space.” I motion to the open basement.

Sydney cleared out everything and let me have this entire floor. It was already refinished to be extra living space and it’s nice. It’s bigger than my last apartment was and it smells better too.

Syd and the kids are really good at respecting my space. When I come down here, they never enter without knocking. Most of the time Sydney will text me instead of knocking and ask me to come upstairs.

“Your sister’s basement,” Sophia teases.

“Are you embarrassed to be dating someone who lives in their sister’s basement?” I try to keep my tone free of any emotion, but it’s hard. I don’t want her to think poorly of me because of where I live.

“Not at all. I still live with my parents.” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug. “Plus, you live here because you’re helping her. It’s not because you’re jobless and playing video games all day while eating junk food.”

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