With a smile that reminds me of his cousin, he nods eagerly. “I’d love to try one.”
Reaching around, I grab a white rose cupcake and hand it to him. “It’s just a cupcake, you know. Nothing terribly special. These are more of an artistic project for me. I saw a picture of some online and wanted to see if I could do it.”
“Can we sit in a booth and talk for a few minutes?” he asks. “I won’t take up too much of your time.”
I hope he can’t see how surprised I am that he wants to sit with me when I smile and start moving back out to the restaurant. “Sure. That would be great.”
When we’re settled in a booth in the corner away from everyone else in the dining room, Alex takes his first bite of the cupcake. “This is delicious. You have to put something special in these because they don’t taste like ordinary vanilla cupcakes.”
“I do. Sour cream. It makes them taste so good, doesn’t it?”
“Mmmm…that’s it. I thought maybe I tasted a hint of almond, but sour cream makes sense. This is fantastic, Hailey. I hope the next time you make the peach ones I’m around and can grab one before everyone else buys you out. I bet they’re out of this world.”
As much as I want to talk shop with him and explain how I use pieces of fresh peaches in the batter, I’m too curious about why he’s here and why Cade isn’t with him to let myself gush about my recipe ingredients. Maybe he came alone because Cade’s busy, or is it that he’s not interested in me or my cupcakes?
“So what would you like to talk about?” I ask quietly, bracing myself for his response being that he’s here to be the one to break it to me that his cousin doesn’t want to see me again after all.
He reaches across the table to grab a napkin from the dispenser and wipes his mouth. “So good. Well, let me get right to the point. I showed my father and uncle the picture of the chocolate lace cookie I had here last time and they want to know what they’d have to do to be able to get your desserts on a regular basis for CK. Our customers would love them. We’d be willing to pay you well, of course.”
Relief washes over me as he makes his offer, every word making me smile even as I know I have to decline. “I wish I didn’t have to say no, but I can’t do it, Alex.”
He frowns, but I don’t think he’s unhappy as much as disappointed. “Is this because you don’t think your desserts are good enough? They are, Hailey. Trust me.”
Hearing him say that makes me want to burst into tears I’m so happy, but he’s wrong. While I may not be the most confident baker in the world, that’s not the reason why I have to say no to him and his family.
“Thank you, but no that’s not why. I just don’t have the time or facilities to make more than I do for my parents here. I’m trying to help them bring in more business.”
I look around the restaurant at the mostly empty tables and booths and sigh. “I thought if people had something to come in for, they’d come back again and again. So far, it hasn’t turned out like that, but I’m still hoping. I have to keep making my desserts for them, so after that, I don’t have enough time or the right equipment to say I’ll be able to contract with you to make enough for CK. I’m sorry, Alex. Please tell your father and uncle I’m so flattered. Last night was my first time at your restaurant, and to think that a place like that would want to sell my desserts is almost too incredible to believe.”
“I understand. What you’re doing for your parents is a good thing, Hailey. Just keep us in mind if you ever get the chance to branch out, okay?” he asks with a smile that’s like a cherry on top of this beautiful cake his visit’s been.
“Absolutely.”
When he doesn’t continue the conversation, I can’t stop myself from mentioning Cade for the first time. “You know, I saw your cousin last night after my friends and I left the restaurant. We’re supposed to get together again tonight.”
“I think I heard something about that,” he says with a sparkle in his dark brown eyes.
“He told me about his club, so maybe he’ll show me that tonight.”
Something in Alex’s expression changes so imperceptibly it’s almost not visible, but I sense the difference in him immediately. “Maybe. I have to get going, but keep my offer in mind, okay?”
And with that, he stands from the table and gives me one last smile. “Take care, Hailey.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
As I watch him walk toward the front door, I can’t help but wonder what made his mood change so suddenly. Was it the mention of Cade’s club? Is there something he doesn’t approve of in that, or is it that he doesn’t think I’m the type of person who belongs at a place like that?
I press the piece of paper with Cade’s phone number on it against the table, smoothing the wrinkles and creases from it being in my pocket all day. My hands tremble as I hold my phone, ready to text him.
Am I ready for this? Dr. Thorpe says I am. Meadow thinks I’d be crazy if I didn’t at least give myself a chance with Cade.
Then why do I feel like a nervous wreck when I even think about seeing him tonight?
My mind whirls with what could happen, what might go wrong, what it would be like to kiss him again. Pushing all that out of my head, I smooth the paper one final time and press the numbers into my phone before beginning my text.
Hi, this is Hailey. Hope you’re having a great day. If you still want to get together tonight, I’m free.
I stare at the words, reading them over and over and wishing they sounded sexy or even fun, instead of such boring words. Of course I’m free. I’m always free. He probably knows that.
Maybe I should mention our kiss last night. But what am I going to say? Hey, thanks for kissing me? Your lips are soft? You have nice breath?
Definitely not. I’ll just leave the text as it is. He’s already met me. He must know by now I’m not exciting or sexy.
Or the type of woman who belongs in a red Jag.
I send it off, surprised that my anxiety doesn’t abate but only gets worse. He might not reply. He might have decided after last night that he’s not interested. I mean, if he was really into me, he could have come over with Alex this afternoon. Then again, maybe that’s why Alex got so uncomfortable and left so quickly right after I mentioned Cade.
God, I wish I was a red Jag kind of woman.
While I mentally spiral out of control, my phone vibrates against the tabletop. I look down to see his response to my text and smile.
Meet me at CK at eight. See you then.
Chapter Thirteen
Hailey
Absolutely sure I look like an overeager teenage girl, I get to CK ten minutes early. I’d expected traffic to be heavier, but the drive took much less time than I thought it would. I could drive around, but then I might get stuck somewhere and be late.
It’s fine. I can check my makeup in the rearview mirror since I have a few minutes.
I pull into a parking space and turn the car off before turning it back on. Looking down my body, I frown at my pink sundress. It looks so silly. I should have chosen something sexier.
That’s a ridiculous idea. I don’t own anything sexy. That’s sort of the problem, isn’t it?