Page 52 of Bake You Mine
Sasha stopped in front of a booth handing out samples of cider doughnuts. After one bite, she bought the box. She popped it open immediately and began chowing down. She didn’t bother to offer Liam one for obvious reasons.
While Sasha ate her feelings, Liam stopped at the Port Fortune Roastery booth and bought them both coffees.
“You’ll do better after a guy like Ryan. Maybe don’t go after douchebag DJs, okay?”
Sasha set her coffee on her knee. “Are you gonna tell me who you’re checking on messages from or what?”
As if his phone was in on the joke, it chimed again.
Sasha snickered. “Hand it over. It’s not like I don’t know your passcode, anyway.”
Liam hoped it was Damon texting to add to his market order. But of course, Aubrey had picked now to respond.
Um, you’re my competition, so mum’s the word, motherfucker.
Sasha swiped his phone, ignoring his protests. “You stuck your butt into my love life. I’m returning the favor.”
“Hey, your shithead ex showed up, causing trouble at my place of business?—”
“Oh my God.” The words came out in a rushed breath. She raised her gaze to meet Liam’s. “It’s Aubs, isn’t it?” She gestured toward the dark-haired chef emoji he’d assigned as her contact, along with the letter A.
“We compete, so we talk occasionally.”
“Don’t make me have to bleach my eyeballs after reading your sexts to prove my point.” She scrolled for a moment more before handing it back to Liam.
“Christ, you’re just as bad as Ma sometimes.” He shoved his phone into his pocket without replying to Aubrey.
Sasha whipped her sunglasses off and turned on him. “In that, we both want you to be happy? Then take my mug shot and book me in, bro.”
“You know that’s not what I meant. You’re both busybodies.”
Sasha snickered. “What do I get for not telling Mom?”
A couple passed nearby then, making Liam shush his sister. “Why must we Linleys bribe each other for silence? And jeez, will you shut the hole in your face? This is brand fucking new between us.”
She wasn’t the only skittish one. But his nerves were for a different reason. He was falling for her. But he couldn’t forget about the competition. Hehadto win, even if his family—the main reason he wanted to stay in town—were getting on his last fucking nerve.
None of this made sense. He wasn’t the commitment type, especially not with a woman like Aubrey. She was older, wiser, and a mother. She was like exploring a new continent.
Sasha clasped her hands together. “I’m excited for you both. But I repeat my question, I mean, my bribe.”
Liam sipped his coffee. “I didn’t tell Mom about the Ryan shit show, you don’t tell her about Aubrey.”
If Sasha’s eyes could have rolled back into her head, theywould’ve. “First of all, fuckboy was arrested. Mom checks the criminal reports like it’s her version ofThe Real Housewives. She’s just waiting in the wings like a vulture to swoop in and tell me how disappointed she is in me. So, try again, William.”
As happy as he was, Sasha felt well enough to bribe him, but he wasn’t going to play into her hands. “How about you do this as a favor to your big brother? To repay me for all the good deeds I’ve done for you over the years.”
She inspected her manicure. “Nice try, but no.”
“Sasha, seriously? We’re not kids anymore.”
“I’ve got it. A day at the Black Pearl Spa for me. The deluxe package. It’s two blocks from Elevation, so that you can make a booking on your way to work.”
He kicked his foot against hers. “Was this all just some long con to get me to pay for your spa day?”
Her smile faltered. “You know, I really wouldn’t tell Ma. And I am a poor student.”
He put his arm around his little sister’s shoulders. “I’ll do as you ask. In the future, spare me the bribing, okay?”
