Page 3 of A Cheesecake Christmas

With Camilla away on her honeymoon, it’s fallen to Danene, Camilla’s grandmother, and me to take turns holding down the fort.

“I’ll be fine!” I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet of the early afternoon here. It will give me a chance to work on some of my design projects for my portfolio. I recently graduated with my second bachelor’s—this one was an online marketing program. Someday, when I get the courage to branch out, I want to work for a brand management company.

Danene leaves and my head is down, which is probably why I don’t notice I have customers until they’re at the counter. They must have snuck in right as Danene left, which would explain why I didn’t hear the bell above the door a second time.

“Aria?” Theo seems as surprised to see me as I am to see him. His blue eyes skate over me as he rapidly chews his gum.

I attempt to rearrange my features into a cool indifference, but my insides are rioting. Not only is Theo smug, but the arm of yetanotherwoman is hooked around his.

This one’s short and curvy, and her red hair hangs in a thick, straight sheet down to her waist.

My gaze goes from her to Theo. “Hey Theo, what’s up?”

He’s only scowling in confusion, so I turn to the woman. “Hello,” I say to her. “What can I get for you?”

Beside her, Theo coughs and clears his throat, like he’s choking on something. I try to ignore it, but he keeps coughing and choking.

“Oh my gosh. Do you have some water?” she asks me. She lets go of his arm and pounds on his back. It sounds like something went down the wrong tube.

I point to our small drink refrigerator in the corner by the counter. Theo’s glance at me is wide-eyed with a sliver of apology.

While the woman turns to get him a water bottle, Theo’s cough subsides enough for him to speak. He points to his throat. “I accidentally swallowed my gum.”Cough, cough.“I didn’t think you’d be in today.”Cough, cough.“I thought it was Camilla’s Grammy’s turn.”

I smooth my tangerine apron down with my palms, noticing how good this shade looks with my coloring. If the man has to see me in an apron, at least it’s my best one.

My throat grows dry as my train of thought catches up to me. I do not care what Theo thinks of me, so I should wear all my rattiest aprons from now on, just to prove my point.

He starts to cough again. By now, the redhead is back, twisting off the lid and handing him the bottle of water. “You okay?” she asks, her brow furrowed. She reaches up and moves a lock of hair out of his eyes. The movement is intimate, as was the connection he had with the other woman only yesterday.

My palms grow slick, and my lungs are clogged with glue. Where does he get off, thinking he can lead these women on?

“I’m curious about your future plans,” I say to him, my smile sardonic.

“Huh?” he asks between sips of water.

My upper lip curls, and I laugh. I’ve got him in my sights like an owl to a teeny, tiny, unsuspecting mouse.

“I’m just wondering if you’re planning on bringingallyour dates to the bakeshop?” I ask in a teasing voice.

His confused expression only deepens. I address the redhead. “His date at his brother’s wedding yesterday? Gelsey, I think her name was? She’s never come in here with him.”

I offer a sympathetic smile. I don’t want to make this woman feel bad. But she deserves to know, doesn’t she?

“He brought someone else here a couple of weeks ago.” I turn back to Theo. “She asked if I would scrape the chocolate icing off her eclairs before I wrapped them up. Remember?”

I’m still smiling, but the redhead lets out a sharp growl. She snatches the bottle away from him and sets it down roughly on the counter, sloshing water on the butcher block surface.

Her cheeks are fire engine red. “Theo?” she says to him, her voice spearing him with disdain.

He only works his jaw before letting out a pent-up breath and scrubbing the back of his neck.

She grabs the water bottle again and squeezes it with a pop, the contents of it shooting him in the face. He sucks in a soft gasp, and she whirls around and leaves the shop.

I’m rooted to the tile I’m standing on.

Because Theo’s across from me, water dripping from his dark hair. The entire upper half of his lemon-yellow T-shirt is drenched.

But his expression has my cheeks burning as hotly as the redhead’s.

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