Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 95678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“That’s true, but—”
“If you need references, we have a few people you could call,” Mr. Wilde said with a teasing voice.
I rolled my eyes and grinned at the two older men. “Okay fine. I’m going to take a shower first. If she’s still alive when I come out, I guess I’ll give you a trial run. I just have to go deposit some money at the bank, stop off and do payroll at the bakery, and grab groceries before coming back. Hope that’s enough baby time for you two softies.”
The two men were still baby talking at Pippa ten minutes later when I waved at them over my shoulder on the way out.
Sugar Britches was located in a quaint little storefront in the center of Hobie’s town square. When I’d first walked into the bakery, I’d been floored. The Adriana I’d known had been angry, spiteful, and terrible in school. It was hard to pair the adorable shop in front of me with the moody teen I’d grown up with.
Goldie had taken me by there for a few minutes one of the first days I was in town, but we hadn’t stayed long. I knew Rox from that brief meeting, and I was sure she’d be wondering where I’d disappeared to in the days since then. She hadn’t seemed all that thrilled to even meet me in the first place. I could hardly blame her. She was most likely worried about what I was planning on doing with the place.
And I had no idea what to tell her.
“Well, hello there, gorgeous,” a young man’s voice said from somewhere off to my left as I entered the storefront. I glanced around but didn’t see anyone. “Down here,” came the voice again.
Through the glass front of the pastry display I spied a guy on his knees, stocking sweets on the shelves.
“Hi, I’m Nico, Adriana’s brother…,” I began.
The man stood up, and I realized he wasn’t quite as young as I’d originally thought, but was still definitely younger than I was. Maybe he was in his early twenties. The kid had gorgeous porcelain skin, red lips, and dark hair almost shaved off in a close buzz cut. I wondered if he had some Asian ancestors to give him the beautiful combination of dark hair and creamy-smooth skin.
“Nico Salerno,” the guy drawled. His voice rolled my name off his tongue like he was fellating it. I fought to keep inappropriate thoughts out of my mind.
“Yes, that’s me,” I said unnecessarily.
“Well, well. Aren’t you a hot piece of—”
Suddenly Rox stepped up and clamped a hand over the guy’s mouth to shut him up before he could continue.
She looked at me with an apologetic face. “Boss. He means a hot piece of boss. Don’t you, Stevie? Please excuse him.”
I snorted and held out my hand to the guy. “Nice to meet you, Stevie. Do you work here too?”
“Certainly do, hot stuff,” he said once the woman’s hand came away from his mouth. His grin was adorable, and I knew right away I could be friends with the flirty man. Finally someone in this shit town who might speak my language.
He was dressed in dark leggings, Doc Marten boots, and some kind of oversized tank top in leopard print. It wasn’t anything I’d be caught dead in, but it seemed to suit his funky personality just fine.
“Sorry it’s taken me so long to swing back by and touch base with you guys. I kind of have my hands full with the baby,” I began.
Rox winced. “How’s Pippa without her mama?”
I felt my teeth clack together to stave off the emotion of thinking about Adriana. “She’s doing fine. Doc and Mr. Wilde are looking after her for a bit today.”
Stevie smiled. “I love Doc and Grandpa. They always throw the best parties. Wait till you see the haunted house they set up in their barn at Halloween. Fuckin’ fabulous.”
I glanced at Rox and back at Stevie. “Oh, I’ll be gone by then. I’m just here temporarily. Are they your grandparents too?”
“Me? No. I wish,” he said. “But I’m friends with one of their granddaughters.”
“I remember the town being overrun with Wildes when I was growing up. How many are there? Seems like a lot.”
At that point, everyone in the shop started snickering. One of the customers, who’d been giving me the side-eye from a small table in the corner piped up. “Oh, honey. Like a million, I think. You’ve got Weston, Hudson, MJ, Hallie, Winnie, Saint… Who am I missing?”
Another woman chimed in. “Cal, Otto, King…”
My jaw dropped, and I looked at Rox, who just shrugged. “Nine siblings?”
Stevie mouthed the word Catholic before closing the cabinet he’d been filling earlier and putting his finger to his chin like he really had to think about it. “No, there are ten I think. Who are we forgetting?”