Page 42 of The Prettiest Outlaw

We followed them into the foyer.

“Cousin, this is Julianna.” Nico introduced me to the red-headed beauty. “Julianna, this is my cousin, Sutton, and her husband, Ty.”

“Hello.” I gave them both a small wave, and they returned the greeting

“And I am here early for a reason,” Nico continued. “I’m early because I wanted to already be here when your other guests arrived. I didn’t want Julianna to be under the spotlight of us walking into a crowded room together—all the stares, the questions, the…shits. I didn’t want her to have to deal with that. This way she’s already here when they arrive, and she can stare at them.”

I chuckled at his logic.

“What is that? Boy math?” Sutton teased.

Nico shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t care. I just want my…Julianna to be comfortable.”

“Your Julianna?” Sutton repeated. “Your Julianna? What does that mean, Nico?”

Ty stood there trying to keep a blank expression on his face while his wife interrogated Nico. I wasn’t bothered by the slip-up, because it was hard to pinpoint exactly what we were to each other.

Homies? Lovers? Friends? All of the above?

I turned to Nico and whispered, “The cupcakes.”

“Oh yeah. I left something in the trunk. Be right back.”

* * *

Moments later, Sutton and I were in their small but elegantly appointed kitchen with the cupcake and cookie containers that Nico had brought in.

“Oh my goodness. She removed the lid from one of the containers. “These looks so professional.” She set the lid down and moved over to the table in the little nook area. “Oh no. We won’t be serving these today.”

I watched as she picked up what I recognized as a store-bought cupcake package. She walked back toward me, pausing to stop and shove the pre-packaged cupcakes in the corner of the countertop.

“Girl, I will take those to work with me and put them in the breakroom. They can eat those Costco cupcakes. We’re eating these.” She gestured toward the cupcakes I’d prepared. “Are you a baker?”

I hesitated, not really sure how to answer that direct question. “Umm?—”

“She’s a baker!” Nico called from somewhere outside of the kitchen, where he’d apparently been ear hustling.

“We’re about to go pick up the chicken,” Ty called out. “We’ll be right back.”

I turned my attention back to Sutton. “Umm, I’m a new baker. I took an introductory class on a whim and liked it. I’ve been baking ever since…cookies and cupcakes. Those are my specialties so far.”

“You ever…infuse any of your treats?” She walked away from me and made her way to the corner cabinet. Opening it, she pulled out a wine glass. “Wine?”

“No thanks.” I shook my head.

“I’m not a fan of gummies, but I love a good infused slice of cake...” She eyed me with a sly smirk. “…or cookie.”

“I never even thought about it. Girl, I just got the measurements down for regular cupcakes and cookies. Now, you want me to add weed?” I joked with a laugh. “Maybe when I get more experience under my belt, I’ll branch out. I’m sure there’s good money in it.”

“Well, if you ever make the decision to start infusing, definitely let me know. I’ll buy a dozen of whatever.”

“You should taste them first before you commit to becoming a customer because I’mma hold you to it.”

She giggled. “You’re right.”

She picked up a yellow cupcake with whipped cream frosting and took a bite.

“Wow,” she said with a moan. “This is so buttery and light. I love it.”

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