Page 10 of A Cowboy Sugar Cookie Kiss
My sister knocks on the door before she pokes her head in the room. “Are you coming or just going to—ohhh.” The corners of her lips reach her ears. “I didn’t realize we were dressing up.”
I purposely take my time sweeping my gaze down the little black dress she’s changed into.
My sister fluffs her wavy hair. “I always dress nice.”
“Rude.”
She flips through the outfits in the closet. “But you’re dressing for Cole.” She peeks over her shoulder. “This is a first. Apparently your little rumble in the closet had a bigger effect on you than you thought.”
“It wasn’t a closet.”
She laughs. “This dress is sure to boost your cleavage and get the attention you desire.” She holds the red lace body hugging dress I purchased for the fundraiser night to her front. “I didn’t know you had such good taste.”
I snatch the dress away, loop the hanger back on the bar, and I sit in front of the mirror over the dresser. “Why didn’t you tell me that Cole and his grandfather are working with us this year?” I brush my hair and separate three strands to start the braid.
“I wanted you to come.” Sadie takes the strands of hair from me. “Crown braid?”
“Yes.”
She begins braiding my hair. “You haven’t been back since last Christmas.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Busy wasting your life for an ex who doesn’t respect you.”
I pull my head out of her grasp. “He is the executive chef of Bake City Cakery and hosts the reality show Cake my Day. He’s well respected in the industry.”
She yanks my hair back into place and starts braiding. “Those are just titles. They have nothing to do with his personality or how he treats people when the cameras aren’t rolling. Besides, he broke your heart, and for that, I will never forgive him.”
“That was a long time ago. We are strictly professional now.”
“Professional as in he won’t put you on his show until you jump back in his bed?”
“It’s not like that.” Even as I say they words, I wonder how true they are. Or if I even believe them anymore.
I’d been naive fresh out of the culinary and pastry arts school. I started from the bottom at his swanky bakery. It wasn’t until I ended our on and off again relationship that I watched my climb up the success ladder halt. My booming career froze. The introductions and connections stopped. My dream reduced to rubble within months. But I can’t tell my sister the truth. I can’t admit I failed.
Sadie pulls the braid tighter. “He’s a dick. He strung you along for years.”
She’s not wrong. My boss forgot to mention his engagement until she unexpectedly stopped by his — no, their — bakery and almost caught us making love on his desk. Looking back, I’m sure she suspected as much. The man fucks anything that walks. And he doesn’t hide it very well. I assume I had been no different.
“Maggie, are you even listening to me?” Sadie shoves a final bobby pin in the back of my head. No doubt purposely scraping my scalp.
I turn on the chair and take her hands in mine. “I love that you so fiercely stand up for me and try to protect me. But I’m fine. I’m saving money to start my own business. Not reach the top of his.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” It’s half true. Every year I audition to become a contestant on Cake my Day and every year ends up just like this year, denied. Owning my own small, nothing bakery is looking better with each passing day.
“Good, ‘cause he’s a slippery, slimy bastard.”
I laugh and rise to my feet, pulling her into my arms. “I miss you, Sadie.”
“I miss you, too.” She squeezes me. “And Cole is a much better goal.”
I groan into her fruity smelling hair. “Men are not my goals.”
“Can fun be your goal? Can you swap this dress for one of my clubbing dresses and after supper, hit the bar with me?”
