Page 39 of Only for the Season
“Jeremy?” I call as I enter. I set the tray down on the kitchen counter. “Are you home?”
Here I am worried I’ve upset him, and he’s not even here. I haven’t heard any gossip about where he’s at today. Did he leave the island without letting me know? I’m not merely some girl he kissed. I’m also the landlady. He should have told me if he was leaving early.
I search the area, but considering it’s an open loft, it’s not long before I realize the place is empty. Did he move out?
His laptop is nowhere to be seen, and the place feels cold and empty. My heart pounds in my chest. He left. Without saying goodbye.
Hold on, Parker. You’re overreacting.
I probably am. I make my way to the closet. Several suits are hanging up and there are two pairs of leather shoes on the floor. What does he need three suits for? He wears jeans and t-shirts most of the time.
Duh, Parker. He’s a billionaire.
What does being a billionaire have to do with anything? My gaze lands on the nightstand next to the bed. There are two watches on top of it. I step closer.
Sweet siren songs. I know these brands. I’ve seen them advertised on television. I could sell one and have enough money to pay my mortgage for a few years.
I look back at the tray of coffee and cookies I brought as an apology. Jeremy would probably laugh at this peace offering. It’s cheap and pathetic compared to his billionaire lifestyle.
I snatch the tray as I retreat from the loft. There’s no need to apologize. Jeremy probably hasn’t given our kiss a second thought since it happened. He’s a billionaire. Women throw themselves at him all the time. Including me, apparently.
I can’t believe I fell for it again. I know better than to believe a word that comes out of a billionaire’s mouth. Fooled again.
I return to the bakery and do the one thing guaranteed to make me smile. I steal Viking fromSmuggler’s Cove,the restaurant next door, and bring him home.
Although I claim ownership of the adorable otter, I share him with the restaurant since it’s impossible for me to have him full-time in the bakery. And I can’t leave him in my apartment. Annie would auction him off to the highest bidder.
Viking doesn’t hesitate to jump into my arms. I cuddle him close. Animals are better than humans. Their love is truly unconditional.
I kiss Viking before placing him in his bed on the floor in the kitchen. It’s time to get some Christmas baking done. I find my Christmas playlist and switch it on.
I rub my hands together. What to make first? The choices are endless.
Yule Tide Treasures– jewel-toned sugar cookies with edible glitter.Merry Mermaid Macaroons– coconut macaroons with blue and sea-green drizzle.Frosted Sea Foam Swirls–mint and vanilla meringue kisses.Snow-drift Sirens– white chocolate-dipped shortbread with sea salt flakes.North Pole Narwhal Nibbles– sugar cookies shaped like narwhals with candy cane stripes.Coral Cane Cookies– peppermint-flavored cookies shaped like coral. AndGingerbeard Men– pirate versions of gingerbread men, including an eyepatch, of course.
Oh, who am I kidding? I’m going to make them all.
Soon enough, the kitchen is filled with all my favorite baking scents. Sugar, spice, chocolate. Sigh. I love them all. Just ask my hips. They’ll tell you.
Holly joins me in the kitchen. “It smells incredible in here.”
“I started the Christmas baking.”
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Really? Can I help?”
“As long as you continue to serve the customers in the café.”
She bobs her head. “I can do it. I’ll run to the café whenever the bell over the door rings.”
“Okay.” I consider the cookies I’m making. Sugar cookies will be the easiest for her if she has to rush away to deal with customers. “Let me show you how to shape theYule Tide Treasuresand decorate them.”
In no time, she’s covered in as much flour as I am.
“You have flour in your hair.”
Her smile is blinding. “I don’t care. I haven’t had this much fun in forever.”
I roll my eyes. She’s nineteen. Her forever hasn’t been very long.
