“But we don’t open until nine.”
“Apparently there’s a slew of people who want to be the first to get their hands on your donuts this morning.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“Mazel tov!” she rejoices. “I guess last night went really well for you and your little bakery. All the free publicity paid off.”
Ryan Hammerstein insisted I get little promotional cards printed. He planned on displaying them next to my donuts. He also wanted me to get some brochures made so his team could add them to the gift bags. To top it all off, he gave me half a page promo in the event’s handout.
“Wow. I was so wrapped up in the formidable Holt Christensen I forgot to pay attention to how much people were enjoying my treats.”
“Honey, don’t be so hard on yourself. A drop dead gorgeous man who can go four rounds in one evening…” She allows for a short pause. “I’d be wrapped up around him like a freaking koala bear during mating season.”
I explode in laughter.
* * *
By the time I get home, shower, get dressed, stuff my face with some food and make it downstairs, it’s already ten o’clock.
Ainsley wasn’t kidding. The bakery is packed with people. You’d think we were giving out the donuts for free.
After checking up on the kitchen staff and making sure we’re churning out donuts as fast as humanly possible, I make my way to the front to help.
I was hoping my presence would be somewhat incognito, but of course, I was just kidding myself. The second Callum notices my presence, he approaches me.
“Morning.” He pauses and looks down at his expensive Officine Panerai sports watch before meeting my gaze again. “Or is it afternoon? I don’t know anymore… I’ve been here for so long.” His words are pregnant with meaning.
“It’s still morning in Hawaii,” I volley.
“Smart ass.”
“I’m sorry I overslept, Callum.”
My cousin's gaze doesn't waver from mine. He’s mad. He takes in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. When he tucks his hands into his pockets, I know I’m going to get it. “You and I both know my sister is as bad at keeping a secret as Skylar is. In other words, I know more than I need to about last night. Clearly, someone had a good time. I was on standby, so that someone is you.”
Oh, shit.
“I know you don’t have to be here––”
“I want to be here,” he says with certainty.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“About the persistent hot guy,” he says with quotation marks. “It was about time. I’m happy for you.”
I grin wide.
“And now switching to business mode,” he grins back. “You might not have won an award last night, but you’re a star.” His eyes shift to the busy bakery. “Did you see the media coverage?”
“No.”
“You hit it out of the park.”
“Gosh. That much?”
“It takes a lot of money to buy that kind of exposure. You got it for free. A million in business might not be that far off after all. Thank you, Ryan Hammerstein.”
Wow.
“Honestly, last night was a dream. For it to extend to this morning, is a blessing.”
“Okay then, let’s go sell some donuts!”
“I love you so much for having my back.”
“You don’t have a brother to look after you. And God knows, Peyton”—his older half-brother—“is too wrapped around my father’s little finger to stick his head out of his own ass long enough to care about anything else but the family dynasty. So it’s my job to be here for you,” he winks.
There’s no lack of drama in my family.
The next few hours go by in a blur.
We sell so many donuts, I fear we’re going to run out of supplies. Thankfully, at around one thirty, things slow down. I can finally breathe.
Worried we’d all pass out from exertion, Callum ordered a large tray of healthy wraps for lunch. I’m perched on a bench in the kitchen chomping on my wrap when my cousin pokes his head between the swinging doors.
“There’s a special delivery for the woman of the hour,” he says with a smile.
“Would that be me?”
“I’m not pretty enough to get flowers. Well, surely not such a large bouquet,” he chuckles.
Says the guy who could appear in one of Shane and Collin Dennison’s calendars or coffee table books of Hollywood sexy hunks. Yeah, Callum oozes with fitness model good looks and he turns heads.
“Oh! More flowers?”
“If you receive any more, people will start mistaking the bakery for Rosehip & Iris a few doors down.”
Excited, I drop my chicken wrap on my plate and rush to the front.
Ryan Hammerstein, Skylar, her parents, and my parents have already sent me bouquets to congratulate me on my big night. Even Callum’s irascible father obliged. I also received a bouquet from Collin Dennison who said that for once, his big brother was right: my donuts are addicting. I’m not going to lie, I was jumping up and down when I read his note. Shane Dennison also sent me flowers, stating one day he’ll invite himself into my kitchen to find out my secrets. I was flying high.
One glance at the enormous bouquet and my insides do this little happy dance. When I spot my name scribbled on a little white envelope, it’s like fingers are strumming my heart. It’s the same assertive cursive handwriting as the bouquet I received on Monday.
This guy is roping me in. Pun very much intended.
This time, the flowers came in a protective pouch. I stand there as if I have x-ray vision and I can tell their color just by staring.
I like the element of mystery.
“Oh, another delivery,” Virginia says, walking by with an empty tray. “Speaking of which, the very hot dad, his adorable little girl and his super cute dog haven’t been back since last weekend.”
She’s really having a conversation with herself because I’m so not going there.
“Maybe we’ll see him this weekend. I’m glad I’m working. I won’t miss him,” she adds with a giggle.
Callum and I exchange a knowing glance.
“Aren’t you going to unzip the pouch to find out who it’s from?” Virginia presses.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than to rush me? Like, put more donuts behind the glass cases?”
“I’m just curious,” she shrugs.
“If I were you, I’d take my curious self back to the kitchen,” I tell her.
“Oh, these are from someone special,” she says like a five-year-old.
“Kitchen,” I point.
She smiles at me, her grin spreading across her face.
“Go!” I order, shooing her off.
She scurries away.
Callum shakes his head. I simply roll my eyes. She has an uncanny sense when it comes to Holt’s deliveries.
Once Virginia is back in the kitchen, I turn my attention to the spectacular bouquet of flowers. I grab the little white envelope, rip it open and pull out a small card from it. I squeal inside at the first word.
Precious,
What a night!
Thanks for riding it out with me. ;-)