Page 18 of Cream and Punishment
I spun to face him, wasting precious seconds I could’ve been using to get closer to the bakery. “I take as many precautions as I can, okay? No earbuds in, I use well-lit paths, I don’t linger anywhere, and I’m constantly watching my surroundings. I can take care of myself, Max. I’ve been doing it for years, and I haven’t run into any trouble yet.”
Though that may be due to dumb luck more than anything else, but I digress.
He ran a hand through his hair with an agitated huff. “Let me give you a ride, at least. I’m going to the gym anyway, remember?”
Honestly, a ride would save me a lot of time and possibly some wet socks. But then I’d owe him even more, and whatever work my cupcakes had done to start decreasing the debt would be thrown out entirely. I wasn’t going to knowingly burdenanyonewith problems I’d gotten myself into, and especially not Max.
I could handle myself. I really could. It’s what I’d had to do for years now. Between Lex going to Quantico and then her first assignment in Philadelphia, Dominick’s passing, and Mom and Dad’s globetrotting, I’d been on my own. Moved on my own. Graduated culinary school on my own. Ran a bakery on my own. There have been friends here and there, some close and some not, but ultimately I’ve had to rely on myself.
It was best for everyone that way.
I should’ve taken my car in when the check engine light first came on, but I’d put it off. I’d gotten myself into this situation, so I’d get myself through it.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. Really.” I walked faster.
He kept pace. “Then I can walk with you.”
“No. Uh-uh. You’ve got your own thing you’re doing, and I’ll be fine.”
Another huff of frustration. “Then at least text me when you get there?”
“I don’t have your number.”
He jumped in front of me, barring my path with his broad-shouldered self. Before I could protest, he plopped his phone into my hand, already open to the text messaging app. “Text yourself and then you will. Simple.”
Well, dang. I couldn’t argue with that.
“All right, fine.” I obliged, passing the phone off to him in a hurry and stepping around him. “Bye, Max.”
“Don’t forget to text!” he called after me.
Never in a million years would I have thought I’d get Max Fuentes’ number. I seriously doubted I’d have to use it any other time, but maybe I could caution him away from my apartment next time I had a belt-snake freak out. Which was hopefully never.
I made it to the bakery in record time, my shins burning from speed walking the four blocks here. The benefit of going to work at unholy hours was that it was even too miserable for the majority of the riff raff in the city. So… yay?
The comforting aroma of sugar and cinnamon lingering in the air wrapped itself around me as I let myself in. I breathed it in greedily as I shook out my umbrella, my blood pumping from excitement as well as my walk. I was the captain of this ship today. It had been a long time since I’d stepped into the role. Hopefully it won’t end as horribly as last time.
I tightened my bun in my lucky scrunchie and straightened my shoulders. Itwouldn’tend horribly. Things were different this time. All the perks with none of the risks.
I could do this.
six
“Heyyo,boss.”
I jumped as Seth’s voice preceded him through the double doors to the kitchen.
His lanky form soon appeared through the swinging doors, complete with a dusty pink apron. His curly black hair was pulled into a half-ponytail reminiscent of Corbin Bleu’s on an old Disney Channel movie I’d long since forgotten the name of. He was handsome in a mischievous way, with a perpetual smirk amidst the stubble peppering his jaw and a sparkle in his eyes that hadn’t dimmed the entire day.
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, smiling as I slid the last cookie sheet of prepped chocolate croissants into the speed rack. “I’m not actually your boss, Seth.”
He shrugged indifferently. “Meh. Grandma isn’t here, so you’re the boss.” He jabbed a finger over his shoulder toward the front of the bakery. “Anyway, some lawyer wants to talk to you.”
Lawyer? Why on earth—
Oh.
Oh, sweet spaghetti squash and walnuts.
