Chapter Thirteen
Evan Wears His Mentor Pants
“That looks great,” I said, admiring the decorated cake. The white frosting was smoothed evenly all around, and the piped poinsettias added a nice pop of color. Holiday inspired, of course, even if the warmer weather didn’t quite feel like mid-December. “Keep at it and you’ll be better than me soon.”
William scoffed and pushed his glasses farther up his nose. “What utter nonsense. Your skills are far beyond my reach. I was so confident before your arrival. Now, here I am, a mere novice in comparison.”
“It’s not a competition.” I walked over to the coffee station and poured myself another mug.
“Life itself is a competition.” William checked the cookies in the oven before removing the platter. “Earn top marks in your academics in order to be recognized and recommended for the highest positions in your field. Slip even once and someone will outshine you. Once that happens, nothing you do will ever be good enough. Not to your professors nor to your parents. And when you realize you don’t want to walk the path they set you on and choose for yourself? You become a failure in their eyes.”
My heart ached at the sadness in his voice. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Yes. Well. Every family has at least one disappointment. I just so happen to be mine.” William topped off his cup of coffee, a grim set to his mouth.
In the beginning, I’d mistaken him for a rich snob who’d had it easy in life. Now, I saw the real William. He had rebelledagainst his family’s wishes and followed his heart. He’d had to fight to be where he was.
“You’re not a disappointment,” I told him. “Don’t ever let anyone make you think that. I, for one, am glad you chose your own path. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here with me right now.”
His expression pinched before he faced the oven. “Are we ready for the next batch?”
I got the hint. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore.
“Almost.” I grabbed the large bowl of cupcake batter. “These will be the chocoholic cupcakes. Chocolate cake filled with a dark chocolate ganache and topped with airy espresso buttercream and chocolate flakes.”
William nodded and gathered the ingredients for the ganache.
I’d taught him many recipes over the past three days, from different types of pastries and cakes to the frostings, icings, and fillings that went with them. He was a fast learner and seemed to genuinely love what he did. He reminded me of Miles in a lot of ways. Just… more snooty. And not nearly as tall and burly.
“Hey, William?”
He placed the pan of cupcakes in the oven and turned to me. “Yes?”
“I don’t know your story, but don’t let whatever happened in the past make you doubt yourself. You’re doing amazing, and I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass. Bake from the heart and you can never go wrong.”
When he smiled, that faraway look in his eyes faded. “Thank you. Fortunately for me, I have the best instructor.”
“Eh.” I waved my hand. “I’m nothing special. You put in the hard work. I just guided you a little.”
“More than a little.” He turned to a bowl of cookie dough and began rolling the dough between his palms, forming small balls.
The day drew on, and we baked more treats. Talked more too. He told me about a girl he was crushing on who worked at the jewelry shop in the main square, and I told him about my three men—but kept Lake being a demi-wolf to myself.
A lot of progress had taken place in only three days.
Along with working with William in the kitchen, I’d spoken to the bookshop owner about supplying books and then went shopping with Gertrude for curtains, pillows, rugs, wall décor, and all the things that turned the café into the cozy place I’d envisioned. The lord mayor had already contracted the food and coffee bean suppliers, so that was one less thing I had on my plate.
“I’m glad your force of guards left,” William said, plating the snickerdoodle cookies after they’d cooled. “The angry one is frightening.”
“August?” I snorted. “He’s all bark and no bite. I think.”
“He threatened to gag you and throw you off the closest mountain.”
I scratched at the back of my head. “Yeah, he did, didn’t he? Good thing Finn was here.”
“Now, I likehim. He’s the nice one of the two.” William snatched a cookie and took a bite, dabbing at his lips as he chewed.
Finnian and August had spent the morning with me before being relieved of Evan duty. My rambling mouth had driven August to his breaking point. Unintentional on my part. He just made me nervous, and when I got nervous, a string of rambles followed.
