Page 18 of How Sweet It Is

Fifteen minutes later, she comes into the kitchen. “How does this look?” She holds out her phone.

I pull off my gloves and take the phone. A photo of the croissant I gave her with a sprig of lilacs on the side fills the screen. The purple flowers contrast nicely with the beige croissant, making it pop.

“That looks amazing. How did you do that?”

“I clipped off some lilacs on my way in today. Thought I could use them in some photos.” She takes her phone back, pleased with my compliment.

“Where did you get lilacs? I thought you lived in an apartment complex.”

She blushes and puts a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell. The house down the street from my apartment has a huge bush. I didn’t think they’d mind.”

I gasp in mock horror. “Well, well. Spreadsheet’s got a criminal streak. Tell me, was it the thrill of the crime or the thrill of impressing your favorite baker?”

She elbows my side, a wicked grin splaying across her face. “Trust me, if I was committing crimes to get your attention, you’d be alotmore flustered right now.”

She walks away, and I’m left staring after her, my world tilting at a strange angle. I have a hard time recovering, my pulse skyrocketing.

What just happened? Did Amelia flirt with me? And did I like it?

CHAPTER 9

CLAIRE MATTHEWS — TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

My entire body flushes with embarrassment as I shut the office door. Why did I say that to Pretty Boy? What is wrong with me?

I shake my head as I open my laptop. Levi’s rubbing off on me. That must be it. His flirty lines are getting to me. That’s the only explanation. I need to get my head back on straight. That was totally inappropriate.

When it’s time to open the storefront, I sneak through the kitchen so Levi doesn’t see me. I go out front and unlock the door. I glance across the street at Rafe sitting in his car. He told me it was just a precaution. They have no reason to suspect that Victor knows where I am. Still, it makes my insides churn to think about, and I go to the cash register, determined not to think about Victor or his cronies.

I grab a few pastries before taking some more photos to post on the social media accounts I created for the bakery, cross posting in the local group for Willow Shade Island. I get a few likes and one comment.

Several people come in asking for the buttercream croissant, which pleases me. My advertising is starting to work. I busy myself making more posts and working the cash register. Every time Levi comes in with more items to fill the display case, I act like I’m too busy to talk to him. Luckily, he doesn’t ask me about my momentary lapse of judgment.

Kiki comes in around noon, Skyler with her. Kiki’s carrying a wicker basket with a blue bow on top. “Hello,” she says, greeting me as Skyler races to the display case to look at today’s selection.

“Hi,” I say, eyeing the basket. “What’s up?”

“I just brought this in for Levi.” She sets it on the counter.

“I’ll go tell him you’re here.”

Kiki raises her hand. “No, it’s okay. I don’t want to bother him. I’m sure he’s working hard making something delicious. Can you give this to him when he’s on break?”

“Sure.” I peek curiously at it. I see an oven mitt, a pair of socks, and a few other things in it. “What is it?”

She smiles and ruffles Skyler’s hair. “It’s a birthday survival basket.”

Understanding dawns on me as I stare at the basket—today is Levi’s birthday. That’s why he objected to working on the books later. Now I feel bad that I insisted and acted like he wasn’t taking his business seriously.

Skyler looks up at me. “I picked out the squishy.”

I pull out the cupcake-shaped stress ball with a note attached to it. The note says, “For when life, or customers, get too heated. Use this to de-stress.”

I hold it up. “This?”

“Yes!” Skyler says, grinning. “It smells good.”

I take an exaggerated sniff. “Ooh, that does. Like strawberry cupcakes.”

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