Page 30 of Playing for Keeps
Alicia waved a hand. “Did you forget about me?”
Caroline jerked her arm up to check the time. “Donut holes, is it lunchtime already?” The line hadn’t dwindled all day, and she’d barely stopped to smell the cupcakes.
Clasping her hands, Alicia kept a patient smile on her face. “You’re taking a lunch break today. I know you’ve been skipping them.”
“I’m not skipping them. I just…forget to stop and eat.”
Alicia stalked behind the counter and through the door leading to the kitchen. A second later, she reappeared with Mrs. Burrows in tow. “Got your register coverage. Let’s go.”
Caroline plastered on a strained smile for Mrs. Burrows. The older woman was as sweet as a cinnamon roll and loved the bakery as much asCaroline did. “Sorry. I promise I’ll be right back as soon as I swallow an apple.”
Mrs. Burrows waved her off. “Take your time. I did this for thirty years.”
Alicia grabbed Caroline’s wrist and whisked her toward the front entrance. “We have a table waiting at Flapjacks.”
“Oh, so this is a pre-meditated abduction. Good to know.”
Alicia power walked down the sidewalk, dragging Caroline behind without looking back.
“You didn’t even let me take off my apron!” Caroline untied the pink apron with one hand as she tripped behind.
“How’s your day been?”
“Sweet as pie.”
“As usual,” Alicia said over her shoulder. “Has anything out of the ordinary happened today?”
Caroline tugged on her hand. “Um, no. Is something supposed to happen?”
“Nope. Just lunch with me. A regular Tuesday.”
Caroline’s phone vibrated in her back pocket, and the fist in Alicia’s grip tightened. She’d gone all morning without checking her phone, and it had been bliss for a few hours.
Redemption Ridge was the best place in the world, but sometimes, the secrets were enough to crush her.
Caroline burst into Flapjacks, and the smell of warm syrup had her breaths slowing. “I’m starving.”
“See? I knew you needed to eat. Let’s get you some protein.” Alicia waved to Bella where she tipped her chin from the other side of the room, carrying two armfuls of plates.
“You’re so right. Food was a great idea.”
Alicia glanced over and lowered one brow. “Food is always a great idea.” She led the way to a table in the back and practically pushed Caroline into the seat. Sitting across the table, Alicia clasped her hands and bounced her shoulders. “So, how’s life?”
“You’ve already asked me that.” Caroline studied her friend’s bubbly demeanor. What was she up to?
“The bakery is doing okay?” Alicia asked.
Caroline glanced at the open room filled with customers and waitresses. “What are we here for?”
“Nothing. I’m just wondering.”
What did Alicia know? Why would she lead with that question? “The bakery is great.”
Itwasgreat. It just wasn’t as great as previous Christmas seasons. She’d been watching the reviews online. New one-star ratings popped up every day with scathing testimonies behind them. She’d never had a single one-star review on The Cakery until a week ago, now they were popping up like sparks from a campfire.
“It’s always busy. That’s awesome,” Alicia said.
The Cakery was a local favorite, but even therush of customers from the last few weeks couldn’t touch the swarms she’d managed in other years.
