Page 28 of Flirting with the Stranger

“No. It’s fine.” I lean back against the sofa. My gaze wanders up toward the ceiling. “I’ll always miss her. One thing she always told me was not to dwell on the past and constantly look toward the future. So I know she wouldn’t want me to be sad. That’s how she was, so I try to live my life the same way.”

“I can see that. She always looked for the good in everything. I remember one time when a delivery came to the bakery for Valentine’s Day and we were supposed to get two cases of strawberries to make chocolate dipped strawberries, but we got raspberries instead. Without missing a beat, she immediately switched gears and made lemon raspberry cupcakes. She inspired me every day.”

“I see a lot of her in you. You both have a similar drive. Similar passion.”

Her eyes meet mine. “I know she didn’t want a service, but I would like to do something small at the bakery. Maybe make her favorite cupcakes and hand them out to customers. One last cupcake on Della.”

“I think she would like that. We can do something, but after today, you’ll have to bake the cupcakes.”

“That bad, huh?”

I nod my head. “It was a disaster.”

“I’m proud of you for trying.” She laces her fingers with mine. “How about we make them together. I think Della would be surprised I got her son into the kitchen.”

“She’s in heaven tossing sprinkles into the air.” I laugh.

“She totally is.” There’s a pause. “I cherish every moment I got to work with her. She’s an amazing woman. And she raised a pretty amazing son.” She bumps her shoulder with mine.

I stare into her dazzling eyes. Even when she’s not one hundred percent, they still sparkle. “If you didn’t have the plague, I would kiss you right now.”

She barks out a laugh that turns into a coughing fit. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and rub small circles along her back until she finishes.

“By the way, I like the code for your door.” She turns toward me, eyebrows knit together. “Cake. It’s very fitting.”

Her eyes crinkle in the corners. “It was the first thing that came to mind, so I went with it.”

With my arm wrapped around her shoulder, I tug her close. She snuggles into my chest as she rests a hand there. I use my other hand and pull the blanket so it covers both of us. I pick up the remote and go to the home screen of the streaming app. “What are we watching? Something with guns, blood, and blowing shit up?”

“Or there is aMagic Mike 2we could watch. Maybe you could pick up some new moves?”

My chest rumbles with laughter. “You would like that, wouldn’t you?”

“I wouldn’t complain.” She steals the remote from my hand. “How about something with Gerard Butler?”

“Okay. I can get behind that. He’s in some pretty good action movies.”

“Don’t get too excited. This one also has Katherine Heigl, and it’s calledThe Ugly Truth.” She beams up at me.

“Sounds like a romantic comedy. But since you’re cute, I’ll watch it.” She releases a tiny squeal of delight and presses play. “But next time, it’s Gerard Butler inLaw Abiding Citizen.”

“I mean, I won’t say no to anything with Gerard Butler. He’s hot.”

I roll my eyes as Katy Perry plays through the TV. “So, if Gerard and I were standing in a room together, who’d you pick?”

She nibbles on her bottom lip for a moment as she contemplates her choice. “Both. I want a Van and Gerard sandwich.”

“Oh! Is that how you like it? My dirty girl.”

Oh shit. Did I call her my girl? I want her to be my girl. But I don’t know where her head is at. Maybe she didn’t hear me? I glance down and she’s staring up at me. Nope. She heard me. Awkward. I flash her a smile and she reciprocates with a small one of her own.

“The movie’s starting.” She snuggles into me as we turn our attention to the movie.

* * *

Several hours later, I stir awake. Still in the sitting position, I crack my eyelids and raise my bowed head. I lift my hand and rub the stiff muscles at the back of my neck. When I peer around the room, the tv screen is black. In fact, the entire room is dark and I’m missing the cute red-head who was cuddled up to me. The flush of a toilet draws my attention. When I listen more carefully, I hear the sounds of dry heaving. I jump to my feet and follow the sound through the living room and into the open kitchen, when I notice light shining through a partially closed door. At first, I debate if I should knock or let myself in, so I decide to do both. I tap my knuckles to the wood door before slowly pushing it open. She’s on the floor, kneeling in front of the toilet. She doesn’t acknowledge me until I crouch down beside her.

“Sorry you have to see me like this.” Her voice echoes as she speaks into the porcelain bowl.

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