Page 18 of A Perfect Match
She reaches into her muffin box and grabs one, throwing it at me.It bounces dully off my chest and joins its squished friend at my feet.
Again, not sure if I’m more upset or amused.A laugh escapes me.
“Option three: throw a muffin at me,” I say.
“I don’t like being told what to do,” she hisses.
“Clearly.”
She scowls at me, then spins on her heel to leave.I can’t help myself.I pick up the muffin and lob it at her tightly packed ass.I can see the ricochet jiggle through her leggings and yes, it makes me smile.She gasps, turning to me with a look of shock.
“Did you just muffin my ass?”
“You muffined my chest!”
Her jaw drops further.For a moment, I’m not sure if she’s going to burst into laughter or march over here and slap me.“You deserved it.”
“So did you,” I inform her, “for all the untrue things you just said.”
She lets out a little squeak of indignation and reaches for the muffin.It’s looking a little worse for wear but still has its form.She hauls her arm back and throws it—surprisingly hard—but I’m able to step aside in time.It misses me entirely.
But then her eyes go wide just as I hear a distinctthwap.
A timid voice interrupts us.
“Um, Piper?”
Piper covers her mouth, mortified, just as I turn.A very sheepish man stands at the curb cut, behind one of my very heavy tables, his gaze darting between her and me.A squashed muffin lies at his feet.
“Oh my god, Will, I’m so sorry!”She presses a hand to her forehand, cheeks flushed.“I meant to hit him, not you.What, uh…what can I do for you?”
He clears his throat, offering me a small smile.“I came out here to chat with you and, well, whoever is in charge of Ray’s.”
I wave at him, realizing how absurd this looks.I’m shirtless.There are cameras.Not to mention the muffins littering the sidewalk.I reach for my shirt, still hanging from my belt.But the damage is done.Putting the shirt on now would just prove to everyone that I should have been wearing it all along.
“That would be me.”I offer a hand and my most winning smile, as if this might somehow distract him from the fact that I’m bare chested at noon at a local business.“I’m Kru.Head chef and owner of Ray’s.”
Will shakes my hand firmly.“It’s great to meet you.I have something that will interest you.”
He offers me a postcard from his other hand.He hands one to Piper as well.
“The Bayshore Chamber of Commerce is hosting a friendly Best of Bayshore competition.I thought you both would be interested in joining.We’re looking to highlight the best specials from local eateries.”
“That sounds amazing,” Piper gushes.
“I’d love to join,” I say.
“People will vote on the entries for the most beloved Bayshore dish.”A smile flickers at Will’s lips, but he still looks suspicious.“The sign-up information is there; feel free to reach out if you have any questions.”
“Oh, I definitely will,” Piper assures him.
“This will be a great way to launch my restaurant,” I add.
“And a great way to test my new dessert special that I’ve been working on,” she says.“Which will surely be considered one of the best things in Bayshore.”
Will smiles wanly.“Great.I’m looking forward to it.I’ll leave you two to…whatever you were doing before.”He shuffles back into the parking lot and toward his car.He’s barely ten steps away when Piper is in my face, her nose scrunched.
“I’m gonna win this,” she tells me.The fire in her eyes has me inclined to believe her.But I’m nothing if not up for a good challenge.
