Page 25 of Rockstar Next Door Neighbor

“Yeah. It was just a quick update about their show,” I say as I smear a generous portion of cream cheese frosting over more cupcakes. “Nothing special.”

“Uh-huh.” Jenny’s knowing smile makes me want to throw flour at her. “That’s why you have that dreamy look on your face.”

“I do not have a dreamy look!” I turn to look at the clock and see that it’s almost time to open the doors. We’re soon so busy with the morning rush that we don’t have time for personal talk. Yet, even as I serve the coffee and dish out the baked goods, my mind continues to sift through the details.

Crystal’s call is still sharp in my mind, her name flashing on Luke’s phone and interrupting the moment. Luke didn’t have to take it—not right then—but he did. And as much as I tellmyself I’m okay with the boundaries we’ve set, the truth is, I’m not sure I am.

Part of me wants to confront him, to demand answers about what’s really going on between him and Crystal. But the other part of me—the part that remembers how it felt to be kissed like that—doesn’t want to hear an answer that will shatter whatever fragile connection we have.

Jenny’s voice suddenly snaps me back to the present, and I realize she’s been talking.

“Sorry,” I mumble, wiping my hands on my apron. “What were you saying?”

Jenny shakes her head, laughing. “I was saying you missed some serious flirting. That guy who just asked for the double chocolate muffins? He was totally into you.”

“What guy?” I frown, glancing at the register where a customer is walking out the door with a box of muffins in his hands.

Jenny lets out a dramatic sigh. “Exactly. You didn’t even notice.”

I roll my eyes, but she’s not wrong. I didn’t notice him. My head is too full of Luke Sterling to make room for anyone else rightnow.

“You should give him a chance,” Jenny teases. “He was cute. And he tipped well.”

“Noted,” I say dryly, grabbing a tray of scones to restock the display case.

“Seriously? He was a catch—and clearly interested!”

“Was he?” I busy myself with cleaning the counter. “Like I said. I didn’t notice.”

She throws her hands up. “Lila, he was ready to ask you out. But you’re too busy mooning over some guy who already has a girlfriend.”

“I wasn’t mooning,” I protest weakly.

“No? Then why do you keep checking your phone?” She challenges.

“I’m waiting for business calls. The dinner party was a huge success, remember?”

As if on cue, my phone starts ringing. I glance at it, then let it go to voicemail, not recognizing the number.

“See? Business calls.”

Jenny just shakes her head and goes to help a new customer.

The morning rush continues, keeping us busy, but during a lull, I finally get a chance to check my messages. The first is from Mrs. Carmichael, who gushed about the other night’s dinner and promised more referrals. The second is from someone who was at the dinner and wants to book a future wedding anniversary party.

The third makes my heart skip.

“Hello, this is Hunter Henson’s office calling for Lila Jeffers. We’re organizing the annual Mothers Advancement Program Gala in three months, and your name came highly recommended. Please call us back at your earliest convenience to discuss the possibility of handling the catering.”

I play the message again, hardly daring to believe it—the Mothers Advancement Program. I quickly Google the name to find that the gala is one of the biggest charity events of the year. Politicians, celebrities, business leaders—everyone who’s anyone attends.

“Jenny!” I call out, my voice squeaking.

“What?” she asks, her expression curious.

“I think,” I say, unable to keep the smile off my face, “I just got my bigbreak.”

She hurries over, and I play the message a third time. Her eyes get wider with each word.

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