Page 44 of Fire and Icing

But when I come out, carrying my wet clothes in my arms, Dustin’s still there—like a loyal retriever waiting for his treat. And maybe—if he’s lucky—a pat on the head.

He takes my clothes and stuffs them into a plastic trash bag.

“Hungry?” he asks.

“You’re going to think I’m always hungry.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” he says simply. “I’m always hungry.”

I look him over from toe to head and smile.

“Like what you see, girlfriend?” he teases.

I shake my head and turn to walk out the door leading through the bays.

Of course I like what I see. Who wouldn’t?

I can hear Syd’s voice teasing me, “And you think you’re going to be able to keep this thing between the two of you fake?”

Chapter 10

Emberleigh

The measure of a superhero is always his nemesis.

~ David Lyons

“Danger at two o’clock,”Syd says, popping through from the kitchen, tying her apron strings and tipping her head toward the doorway.

I glance up just in time to see Vanessa sauntering through the door.

Not today. Please, no. Our third oven is being finicky again, so we’ve been getting creative to try to keep to our baking schedule. The morning included a preschool tour, then a bulk order for the Henderson Family Reunion and it’s not even lunchtime. Syd is just now returning from an “errand” that she said was important, but she wouldn’t say what it was.

I’m ready to turn the OPEN sign to CLOSED for the day, and in walks Vanessa. Did I say “walks”? It’s more of a calculated prowl.

“Where were you, anyway?” I ask her.

“Just had to … run an errand. Like I said.”

I’d press Syd for details, but Vanessa’s closing in.

“Well, good mornin’,” Vanessa says as she approaches the counter. “How’s business?”

“Good,” Syd says. “And none of yours.”

I bite the inside of my cheek.

“Funny you should say that,” Vanessa eyes Syd.

Her gaze turns pointedly toward me. “I heard you entered the contest.”

“Mm hmm,” I force a noncommittal tone. Then I turn and check the espresso machine, wiping the already-clean spout.

“I was quite certain you had to have a partner to enter that. A non-baking partner.”

She taps her nails on the glass display case as if I owe her an explanation.

“Mm hmm.” I look around for another task to preoccupy myself.

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