Page 58 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Cole.” Maggie chews on the inside of her mouth. The way she does when she’s nervous.
“I would rather not.”
“Or you can leave the same way you came.” I chew on the warm bread.
“My pleasure. Maggie, let’s go.”
“Marcus I have an event tonight. I’m not leaving.”
He crosses the space between him and Maggie and grasps her hands. It takes all my strength not to rip him off and throw his ass out.
“Mags, you’re in.”
Maggie seems to know what this means. Her confused eyes grow wide and light up. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Alice is out and you are in.”
She screams and throws her arms around Marcus’s neck.
***
MAGGIE
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MY HEART THUNDERS INmy chest.
I’m in. I’m in!
The two little words repeat in my head over and over and it’s all I can hear. For the last eight years I’ve worked my ass off to be noticed. I mean, I literally slept with the boss. A baker’s dozen worth of times. Of course, that had been because I liked him.
But now, now, he’s here giving me the chance to show off my skills to the world. And the world will be watching me compete against other bakers on the reality television show he hosts.
“I can’t believe it.” My mind spins and whirls with baking ideas.
“Believe it. We have a lot of work to do. And it starts with a Christmas dinner tonight with the producers of the show. I have a jet waiting.”
“Tonight?” I step back and bump into Cole.
Shit Cole. I forgot he was here. How could I forget him? Maybe because my dream is presenting itself and I’m feeling a wave of emotions.
“That’s what I’ve been saying since I arrived.”
“The Sugar Cookie Fundraiser is tonight.”
“And I’m sure there are lots of staff who can handle it.” Marcus catches my arm. “Is this your room?”
Cole steps in front of us. “That’s my room.”
“Marcus, just give us a minute.” I pull free of his grasp and take Cole’s hand.
Inside the bedroom he shuts the door and stares me down like I’m a criminal. His strained jaw ticks. “Are you going?”
“This is my dream.” I don’t know why I feel guilty saying those words. “This will kickstart my career. I’ll go from an employee to a boss. My cookies will become art. Featured on the food channels. I’ll be flown across the world to showcase my baking. I’ll get publishing deals for recipe books.”
“You would be your own boss at Betty’s. And you wouldn’t have to kiss his ass to get there.” Anger edges his words.
“It’s different. I’ll be making cookies for people around the world.”
