Page 91 of Frosting and Flames

Sydney punches her fist into her hand. “We’re your muscle.”

Hailey shakes her head. “I had my phone in case I needed to call Jae. She’s pretty scary.”

Yeah, she can be. Especially when she starts shouting in Korean. Even so, I should give them both Nick’s number in case… In case what? Kyle’s not bothering me again. I don’t know how much clearer I could have been.

I usher them both to the back, praying Desiree doesn’t repeat any of this morning’s events to anyone else.

When the three of us are safely out of sight, I sigh, hanging my head in my hands. “Why didn’t you guys tell me what a douchebag Kyle is when I was dating him?”

Sydney makes a disgusted sound. “I never liked him. I think I was pretty clear about that.”

She’s right. But I thought that was in amy sister’s boyfriend is so lamekind of way.

“What did Kyle say?” Hailey asks.

“He wants to get back together.”

Sydney snorts. “Typical man. Realized the grass isn’t greener on the other side, huh?”

“Something like that,” I mutter. It bothers me more than I like that he would so easily abandon his pregnant girlfriend. That I was with a person who would do that. It was one thing to cheat on me, but she needs his support…

Oh my God, am I feeling sorry for Autumn now? What’s wrong with me?

“What if he comes back?” Hailey asks, glancing worriedly toward the double doors.

“We’ll call the cops,” Sydney answers before I can. “Get a restraining order—”

“Just tell him to leave if he shows up again,” I interrupt. “It doesn’t have to be a big thing.”

Sydney frowns. “You never let me have any fun.”

The two of them move on to their next tasks, but I head into the office, resting for a moment. The last of the adrenaline from our confrontation is leaving me, and my hands shake. I don’t believe for a minute Kyle is actually interested in me again. Like I suggested, it’s likely only jealousy that I’ve moved on or his impending fatherhood is rearing its ugly head. Maybe a combination of both.

Either way, I don’t want any part of it. I have better things to do.

It’s Nick’s birthday in a few days, and though he said he didn’t want to do anything special, I promised him a cake. We also still need to go over final details for the chili cookoff next weekend.

I take my phone out of my pocket, wondering if I should tell him about Kyle showing up, then decide against it. I don’t want to worry him unnecessarily. I handled it.

Kyle won’t be a problem anymore.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

NICK

“Let’s go over the list of volunteers to make sure we have everything covered,” Rachel says, turning the page of her comprehensive, multi-page checklist.

We’re lounging in her living room, going through all the plans we have so far for the chili cookoff. We’ve already run through all the equipment we’ll need for the day of, as well as selling tasting tickets and armbands at the door.

“The guess that spice challenge for kids?” she asks, pencil poised above her list.

“Mrs. Klassen is doing that.”

Rachel smiles. “She’ll be great at it. And it’s finally some quid pro quo for all the times you’ve gone to story time, huh?”

No kidding. Even so… I rub the back of my neck. “I’m not keeping score.”

“I’m joking.” She squeezes my knee. “And the hot pepper eating challenge for adults?”

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