“Nonsense. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
She steps inside the shop with two very large bodyguards in tow. They position themselves at the door, but she takes a few steps forward.
Callum closes the door and flashes me a, ‘Can you believe this?’ look.
“I’m Callum and that’s my cousin Everly. She owns the shop. How can we help you, Miss Sky?”
“Vickie. I insist.”
“In that case, how can we make your Christmas better, Vickie?”
Finally, my brain kicks into gear and I can speak. “Vickie Sky?”
Okay, so I’m stating the obvious.
In my defense, all my neurons haven’t caught up yet with what’s unfolding in front of my own two eyes.
“Hi! Everly, right?”
I nod.
Vickie Sky is really standing in my bakery.
If I wasn’t this stunned, I’d be able to appreciate her stylish head-to-toe white look. The strappy peep toe silver high heel sequin booties are killer. Her long wavy platinum hair cascades over her shoulders, making her look almost angelic. She looks like a star. Scratch that. She is a star.
“I’m sorry to be the ditzy customer who just woke up to what holiday we’re celebrating tomorrow,” she says, laughter coloring her brown eyes. “Holt brought some decadent donuts to last week’s meeting and I swear to God, to this day, I can still taste them. No wonder he keeps bragging about you.” My brain tells me I should respond, but honestly, I’m so shell-shocked, I can’t speak.
“She has some wicked skills,” Callum says as he comes to stand next to me.
“She really does. You take donuts to an art form.” Vickie Sky just paid me a compliment. I can die a happy woman. “That’s why I can’t imagine waking up on Christmas Day without them. Do you have anything left or am I out of luck?”
Mother of God. Vickie Sky wants my donuts to celebrate the day baby Jesus was born.
“Err…” I say.
Crap.
“The staff was just about to make some extra batches,” Callum jumps in. “It’s just for us—and no fancy flavors—but since you’re part of Holt’s musical family, you’re like family to us. I’m sure it won’t be any problem. Right, Everly?”
“Err…” I repeat.
That’s the best I can do under the circumstances.
Talk about being star struck.
After the success of her mega duet hit with Julian Payne for the soundtrack of the most successful romantic movie of our time, Vickie spent the better part of the year in Europe pushing the single and her album to the top of the charts. So, although I’ve been dating Holt for a year, I’ve never had the honor of being this close to her.
“How many did you need, Vickie?” Callum asks.
“If you have both the chocolate and vanilla peppermint, I’ll take three dozen of each—”
“You’re in luck. Those are the ones we have left.” Callum says.
“Perfect!” Vickie cheers. “I’ll be visiting family tomorrow and I’m sure your donuts will be a hit. I can freeze them, right?”
“Absolutely,” Callum says. “And I’m sure we can manage. It might be a bit of a wait.”
“No problem,” Vickie smiles.
“Everly, why don’t you go ask the staff to up the production?” Callum suggests.
I’m so shocked in stupor, I’m unable to move.
“O––okay.”
I still haven’t budged.
Callum has to physically turn my body around and give me a good push on the back.
Still in a daze, I walk at turtle pace towards the kitchen shaking my head in disbelief.
Vickie Sky is here.
The doorbell chimes again and a deep voice booms inside my shop.
“Hey, Vickie, any donuts left? I’d love to score four dozen of them. I promised my mom a dozen at least,” I hear behind me.
I freeze again.
Slowly, I turn around and my jaw drops.
“Julian Payne? In my bakery?”
“Oh, hello,” he waves nonchalantly. “You must be the baker extraordinaire.”
“The one and only,” Callum cheers.
I shift my gaze to my cousin. He grins from ear to ear.
Of course, two superstars—and their four beefy bodyguards—are standing right smack in the middle of my shop and they’re acting as if it’s no big deal. On top of that, my levelheaded cousin is acting like a weirdo.
“What are you doing here?” I manage.
Perhaps not the most welcoming, but I need answers.
“You know what, this is really rude of us,” Julian says, his brown eyes apologetic. “I’m sure your staff can’t wait to end their day and here we are with a last-minute request. The least we can do is sing for our dessert.”
“I love the way you think, Julian,” Vickie says.
“Wh––what?” I trip all over the word.
“That’s a great idea,” Callum pipes.
Has he gone mad?
Before I’m able to protest, Vickie and Julian start singing their smash hit song a cappella.
Callum has his arms crossed over his chest and he’s bobbing his head with his eyes closed.
What the hell?
“Hold up,” Vickie says. “Julian, your voice sounds a little shot. Did you party too hard last night? You have to be more careful about your vocal chords.”
“Seriously, Vic? You’re going to play me like this?”
“If we’re asking Everly to go out of her way, we should make sure we’re at the top of our game,” Vickie argues. “I am. You, on the other hand? Not so sure.”
“I’m always at the top of my game,” Julian quips.
“Maybe you should sit this one out,” Vickie says. “I can get some backup.”
Backup?
“Are you telling me you’ve been singing our song with another guy?”
Oh, no. Julian looks pissed off.
“It’s just this one time,” Vickie retorts. “It’s not like I’m cheating on you. You’ll always be the other voice on the duet.” Vickie bats her eyelashes at him.
“Well, I guess one time won’t hurt,” Julian concedes.
“I knew you’d see it my way,” Vickie smiles. “You know… I’m not feeling this song a cappella. I think we need some instruments.”
Instruments?
“Maybe this isn’t the best song,” Julian says.
Is this supposed to be a private show?
“You’re right,” Vickie agrees. “We can do so much better.”
Better than their duet? Seriously?
“Any suggestions?” Julian asks.
“What about, “Until I found you?”” Vickie offers.
Huh?
“A little old school Random Misconception? I like it,” Julian nods approvingly.
Holt’s former band blazed the musical charts for years with that song. No wonder. It’s beautiful.
Now I’m really confused.
“What the hell is going on here?” I shout.
With huge grins stretching across their faces, Vickie, Julian and Callum point behind me.
When I turn around, my heart stops.