Page 27 of Billionaire and the Barista

The kitchen door swung open.

“What’s up?” I asked without looking up, assuming Josie was coming in to ask me something.

“Is that any way to greet me?” Mitch’s raspy voice said.

“Hi Mitch,” I said with a genuine smile. “What brings you by today?”

“Do I need an excuse to visit my Gabby?” Sarcasm was thick in his veins and came out his mouth with every other word. His feigned hurt ended with the words. That man was not insulted that I had questioned his presence.

“I thought I would pick something up for Jenny. Plus, I can now tell her I checked in on you and the boy. So, how’s the boy? She wants to know why you haven’t been calling for babysitting?”

“Robbie is just fine. He’s at preschool today. If Jenny wants to spend time with him, she can. She doesn’t have to ask me to take advantage of her to babysit him. You know, have a day to go to the zoo or something.” I knew that Robbie would love to spend time with her, especially since she spoiled him. He needed someone to lavish some affection on him, and I felt that I was having to spend too much time focused on the cafe.

“She would love that.”

“Good, sit. I’m trying out a new strawberry filling. I will have these ready in a few minutes, and you can take some to Jenny.”

“Now that's what I’m talking about,” Mitch said as he clapped his hands together and rubbed. “She loves your experimentation. Remember those mango and lime ones you made? She loved them.”

“Seriously? I think she may have been the only person who did. I haven’t had one single request to bring those back.”

“Well, consider this a request. Or hey, I can just order those, right? You couldn’t do a whole cake, could you? You know, for her birthday or something?” Mitch asked.

“Of course, I could. Remind me the week before so I have time to get the ingredients in. I will make her a mango and lime cake.”

We continued to chat as I piped filling into the cooled cupcakes. I blended freshly chopped strawberries into the premade frosting and then piped frosting onto the cupcakes to look like a giant rose.

“Those are almost too pretty to eat,” Mitch said as I showed him the finished product.

“Almost,” I parroted as I pulled a four-up box from the shelf. “But you’re still going to eat them.”

I boxed up four of the strawberry rose cupcakes. I handed him the box and then began stacking the cupcakes on trays for placing in the case.

“Jenny will love these,” Mitch said as he stood to leave.

“I hope so. Tell her I said hi, and also let me know if she ever just wants to take Robbie to the zoo or anything.”

“See you later Gabby. Oh, I’m supposed to tell you to give Jenny a call if you need any help.”

“I will.”

I followed Mitch out of the kitchen. I went to help with the line at the counter as he left. On his way to the front door, Mitch stopped and turned his head. I looked up and froze as a wash of nerves ran over me. I had forgotten to tell Mitch that Nathan was back, hell, that Nathan was sitting right there.

“Um, I’ll have…” the woman in front of me started her order.

Damn it, I needed to help the customer in front of me, but I also wanted to see how the reunion between Mitch and Nathan would go.

I got her a coffee and two cookies and rang her up. I strained to listen to Mitch, grateful no other customers needed my attention for a moment.

“Don’t I know you, man?” Mitch asked.

Nathan shrugged.

“No, I know you. Nate, right?” Mitch stopped and backtracked from the door to the table. “Ah man, where the hell have you been?”

Nathan shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Seriously, come on man, stop foolin’ around. How long have you been back? Do you still have that sweet Ducati? Black with red lightning. Beautiful paint job.”

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