Page 17 of Icing on Top
I was so lost in what I was doing that I was bleary-eyed and somewhat confused when Stef knocked on my door. “Paul is here to see you and doesn’t look happy.”
“What on earth could he want?” I asked. I took a sip of my cold coffee and sighed. “Send him back.”
She disappeared, and Paul came storming into my office thirty seconds later with a piece of paper. “Care to explain what the fuck this is about?” he yelled, throwing the paper at me. I caught it and looked at it. It was a printout of an article about the ribbon cutting yesterday and a large picture of Lincoln and me together. The caption read, “Triple Tech CEO and Icing on Top owner attend ribbon cutting ceremony together to open a new orphanage.”
“It’s a press release,” I replied, holding the paper out for him to take back.
He slapped it out of my hand. “I know what the fuck it is,” he yelled. “It’s on Triple Tech’s home page. I mean, why the fuck were you there with my boss? Is this your way of getting back at me for leaving you?”
“Lower your fucking voice,” I growled. “And not that it is any of your business what I do, but we’re dating.”
Paul’s eyes bugged out of his head before he doubled over in laughter. “Right,” he said once he had composed himself enough to speak, “you’re dating. God, you’re fucking delusional. Why the fuck would one of the richest men in town want to date aworthless cow like you when he could have anyone he wanted? You aren’t even good enough for me.”
“Do not call her a cow, you piece of shit!” Stef yelled, stomping around the corner where she had been standing as she listened to our conversation. “You’re the one who isn’t good enough for her!”
“Stef!” I reprimanded. “Back out front, this doesn’t concern you.”
“I’m sorry, Nova, but he shouldn’t talk to you like that,” she replied, glaring daggers at Paul as she retreated.
“It’s time for you to leave, Paul,” I said firmly.
“Fine. But whatever the fuck is going on here, end it. You better not fuck up my career, or you’ll be fucking sorry!” I watched him storm out of the kitchen before I shut my office door and sank into my chair.
I took several deep breaths to keep the tears at bay. I didn’t want him to be right, but he voiced every insecurity I had already been thinking. What the fuck were any one of them doing with me when there were far skinnier and far sexier women they could have at the snap of their fingers? It didn’t make sense. Hating how Paul’s words and my thoughts tainted my time with Lincoln yesterday, I decided to channel all of my feelings into Espresso Cupcakes.
I didn’t make them often since they took much longer than other cupcakes. I loved the challenge they gave me with all the steps and precise measurements needed to make them correctly. It forced my chaotic brain to settle down. Usually, by the time I’ve finished making them, I’ve calmed down enough to make more rational decisions. Plus, they’re gorgeous and absolutely divine.
Not A Cow
Benjamin
Ipulled up to the curb outside of Icing. I left work early, hoping to convince Nova to play hooky with me and work out to test the fitness tracker I had given her. I couldn’t stop thinking of her in stretchy workout clothes. I also couldn’t stop thinking about her out of them. Maybe bent over the weight bench while I plowed into her from behind. I shook myself from my thoughts as I followed one of her employees into the shop. I had only seen him around a couple of times, and I couldn’t remember his name.
Stef was behind the counter when we entered. I could remember her name because she never took her eyes off us whenever we were here. I almost ran into the kid as he sniffed the air and stopped dead in his tracks.
“Uh, oh,” he said. I sniffed the air as well and bit back a moan. It smelled like the best cup of coffee man has ever made in here.
“Yep!” Stef snarled.
“What upset her this time?” the teenager asked as he grabbed a cupcake behind the counter. He took a large bite and moaned.
“Who else? Paul. He saw the picture of her from yesterday and came in to scream at her,” Stef replied.
I approached the counter and noticed the kid’s name tag: Jared. I was pretty sure they were talking about Nova, and now I needed to know who the fuck came in and yelled at her. Neither of them paid me any attention as Jared took another bite of his cupcake.
“I hate it when she gets like this, but God is the result delicious,” Jared mumbled.
“What’s the deal with the cupcakes?” I asked.
“When Nova gets upset, and her mind is all over the place, she makes Espresso Cupcakes,” Jared explained.
“What are you doing?” Stef hissed, glaring at me. “He’s one of the reasons she got yelled at.”
“I thought it was one of the other guys in the picture with her?” Jared asked, confused.
“It was, but he’s sniffing around her too. And let me tell you something,” she growled, stabbing her finger toward me. “If you are playing games with her, I will make sure you pay! She is not a fucking cow!”
“Who the fuck said she was?” I asked, my anger rising.
