Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“Okay. I won’t be long.”
Riley watched Milo walk away. The view from the back was almost as good as watching him approach. When other heads turned along his path, making her blood boil, Riley decided to clean the crumbs from the bottom of the display cabinet to keep herself occupied. She had almost finished her task when the door opened and a busload of high schoolers streamed inside.
“Hi, Riley! I brought the booster club!” a familiar voice called.
She laughed to see the cupcake-converted doughnut lover waving his friends into the shop. The noise level skyrocketed with the chatter of hungry kids. Soon, even Bear was helping fill orders as the line grew inside the shop. Riley thought for sure the cash register would catch fire as she rang everyone up while the faculty club supervisors herded kids through the line efficiently.
Riley noticed the adults stepping in at times to help students who obviously didn’t have the money to buy themselves a treat. High school hadn’t been fun for her, but she knew most of the teachers were genuinely good people.
Pointing out their kindness to Ellie, who had abandoned the office to help with the rush, Riley knew her sweet boss would make sure their efforts to support the students were rewarded.
“Goooooo, team!” Ellie cheered when the door swung closed behind the last student.
“We should switch to beef jerky. No high schoolers are going to swarm a jerky café,” Bear growled in mock exhaustion.
“Hmmm, think we can come up with a candied bacon cupcake?” Ellie suggested.
Both bakers immediately headed to the kitchen, muttering about an experiment.
“I guess I know what I need to practice drawing next,” Tori whispered.
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. “You are so right!”
Grabbing a wet cloth, she headed for the tables to clear off the sticky remains she knew had developed while they’d been busy. When Milo appeared in front of her, she apologized, “I’m sorry. You’ve been waiting forever. I’ll just clean these off and be ready to go.”
“Don’t get that finger wet,” he admonished.
“I’m not!” She waved him out of the way.
“Tell me where to take the trash,” he instructed, gesturing at the two brimming bags sitting next to the kitchen door.
“I’ll lug them to the dumpster outside when I finish here.”
“Where?” he repeated. “Those are too heavy for you to carry.”
“The quickest path is through the door to the right, past Ellie’s office. The dumpster is out back.”
“Got it.”
She’d hefted similarly stuffed bags before. They were a killer. To her amazement, she watched Milo lift both with ease and tote them away as if they were marshmallows. He could lift her easily… Stop that!
Turning quickly to the tables, she restored order to the dining area before he returned. “I can clock out now. Be right back.”
Milo waited patiently at the door until she rejoined him. She was no longer wearing the Little Cakes T-shirt she worked in. Now she had on a dark pink tank top with her jeans. He took her hand in his, threading their fingers together before pressing a soft kiss to her temple that made her melty inside.
“Are you hungry? I know it’s early, but I bet you didn’t have lunch. Can I take you out to dinner?” he asked as he guided her out of the shop.
“Can we have pizza?”
“Only if you don’t put weird things on your favorite.” He ushered her toward a red sports car.
“I like anything on a pizza, but I’m flexible. You can choose.” She nodded toward the expensive vehicle. “You like speed, huh?”
“No way. I’ve seen too many accidents.” Milo stopped next to the black sedan parked alongside the red sports car and opened the door. “I prefer to ensure my precious cargo is safe.”
“You always surprise me,” she admitted as she slid into the passenger seat.
“I’m glad. I enjoy keeping you on your toes,” he answered before leaning in to fasten her seatbelt securely.
“I can do that,” Riley assured him.
“Daddy’s job.” He curled his index finger under her chin to close her mouth before kissing her lightly. “I missed you today.”
Before she could answer, Milo stepped back and closed her door. Riley’s mind whirred inside her brain. Surely Milo wasn’t… a Daddy? She tried not to stare at him as he slid into the driver’s seat.
She busied herself checking her phone for messages. When his hand covered the screen, she looked up in surprise. “I’d like to make a pact. I won’t check my phone while we’re together unless there’s an emergency if you won’t. Can we focus on us?”
Riley nodded. “Sorry. I hate being with a group of people and sitting there alone as everyone reads through their email. I’ll put it away.”
“Thanks, Riley. Tell me about your day. Was it crazy busy?”
“There are random waves of craziness interspersed with people arriving sporadically throughout the day. I like it. Everyone’s always happy and time flies. Ellie is the best boss.”