Page 12 of Only for the Season
“Of course not.” Good thing this is my last delivery.
I ignore the reporter and make my way to the dining room. Unfortunately, he doesn’t ignore me. He follows me instead.
I set the bag on the table and lift out the first pie. I remove it from the box before setting it on the table.
“It’s beautiful. What flavor is it?”
I don’t hesitate to answer. Maybe he’ll includePirate’s Pastriesin his article about Eli. “It’s Seafoam Meringue. A sea salt-caramel base with a torched blue-tinted meringue swirl.”
“It looks like ocean waves.”
I smirk. “And tastes like heaven.”
He peeks into the bag. “What other pies do you have?”
“I didn’t realize reporters were pie addicts.”
He rears back. “Reporters? I’m not a reporter.”
I snort. “Dude, you’re literally in Eli’s house to write a story about him. Of course, you’re a reporter.”
He sputters, but Eli strolls into the room before he can answer. “Hey, Parker.”
“Is this baby Stephanie?” I squeal. “Can I hold her? Please.”
The doorbell rings and he chuckles before handing the baby to me. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” I mutter as I run a finger down Stephanie’s nose. “Aren’t you adorable? You’re going to break all the smugglers’ hearts when you get older.”
The reporter snorts. “Typical woman. Give her a baby and she loses her mind.”
“I hope you’re a better reporter than you are human being.”
“I’m not a reporter.”
I roll my eyes. “Not with those observation skills you aren’t.”
His brow wrinkles. “Observation skills?”
“You said I’m losing my mind over a baby. Yes, baby Stephanie is adorable. But she’s not the reason I’m happy. I’m happy because Eli and Paisley finally got over their decade-long feud and found their way to love. I’m happy Paisley finally has a family who deserves her.”
Paisley rushes into the room. “Thank goodness. I thought I lost you.” She steals Stephanie and rushes away but pauses before she exits. Her gaze bounces back and forth between me and the reporter.
“Have you two met before?”
“Yep. We met last night when he knocked on the bakery’s door and asked for directions.”
“Which you didn’t give him.”
“I know better than to give a reporter directions to your house.”
She smirks. “Jeremy isn’t a reporter. He’s the co-founder ofApparoo.”
“Apparoo?”As in the multi-billion-dollar tech empire? And he’s the co-founder? Those butterflies in my stomach fall to their death. Billionaire is worse than reporter. Way worse.
Jeremy smirks as he extends his hand. “Told you I wasn’t a reporter.”
“You didn’t tell me your name either.”
