Page 62 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
“Neither do I.” I sip my drink. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
“I am hurting. First, she’s all like, yes I can’t wait to work with you at Gram’s bakeshop. Blah, blah, blah. Then something better comes along and she takes off. Classic Maggie. Chasing everything on the other side of the fence. And with that dick, Marcus.” She says his name in a snarky tone. “I hate Marcus.”
“I’m not a fan either.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She holds up her glass and I clink the side. Her phone buzzes in her hand. Her eyebrows draw together and she stares at it almost angrily. “I gotta take this.”
“Sure.”
“Don’t fill your cookie box without me.”
I nod at her. I’m ready to fill and dash right now. I made an appearance and supported my granddad and the town. I’m ready to go home and sleep this day off. Tomorrows a new day. Fresh beginnings and all the bullshit I’m not feeling right now.
“Son?” My dad claps my shoulder.
I turn and embrace my parents in a hug one at a time.
“Look how handsome you are in a suit.” My mom runs her hand down my tie. I’m rarely seen in anything but my denim and T-shirts. Same with my folks. And they clean up nicely too. My dad’s denim and plaid is replaced with a suit. My mom wears a lace and silk dress instead of her ordinary cotton floral.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper in my mom’s ear, planting a kiss on the side of her head.
“Thank you, son. This year’s theme is incredible.” Her gaze takes in the magnificent ballroom as she sips her cocktail.
“Did I see Dad and Betty actually talking?” My dad has two boxes of cookies stacked under his arm.
“You did. Turns out, they rather enjoy each other’s company.”
My dad juggles a box of cookies on his forearm. “Are we talking about my dad?” He opens a box and pulls out one of Maggie’s cookies. This whole damn event just throws her in my damn face.
“One and the same.” I down the rest of my drink.
“Attention everyone!” Wilma taps the microphone on the stage beside Faye. “We have a surprise for everyone today.” Wilma’s red cowboy boots clomp on the stage.
“We’ve decided the judges will be judged.” Faye points a lollipop over the crowd. She’s dressed like a giant lollipop in rainbow patterned tea dress with puffy pink sleeves. Her Kentucky derby hat has a giant lollipop on the top. “You know who you are. Come on up, Betty and Fred.”
Applause accompanies the bakers as they make their way to the stage. They bow and courtesy and take in all the attention.
“There are always loads of volunteers we want to thank for the event and we will get there, but first, we wouldn’t have the amazing cookies this year without Fred and Betty.” Wilma brings her hands together and the crowd follows in another round of clapping.
I clap even knowing the two of them didn’t contribute a damn thing toward the cookies. No hard feelings. I don’t need or want the spotlight.
My granddad and Betty act like they don’t want the attention. I see right through both of them.
“Aren’t they liars.” Sadie has made her way beside me. There’s something different about her. Her smile is wider. Her shoulders relaxed. She looks like the Sadie I’ve seen all week, before her sister crushed her.
I chuckle. “They sure love the attention.”
“Haven’t they always?”
“I think I’m going to call it a night.”
Sadie grabs my arm. “Not yet. Let’s watch the baker’s get roasted.”
I can’t say no to her. Not in her delicate state. She’s clearly compensating for her sister leaving.
“Alright.”
She squeezes my arm. “This is going to be worth it. I promise you.”
