Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Maisie
Working behind the counter and getting to talk to my customers was the best part of my day. Sure, that sounded contradictory considering I became a hermit by nature but there was something different about talking to people when I knew their favorite treats.
Take the next customer for example.
"Hi, Ms. Dixie. I've got your lavender cupcakes boxed up and ready for you." I smiled at the woman who came in once a week for the exact same order.
Seven lavender cupcakes. One for each day of the week, she would always remind me.
"You're such a dear." She patted my hand as I slid the box across the marble counter that stood between the two glass bakery cases. "I heard from Ms. Daisy that you were at the Crazy Fox this morning with a gentleman. I'm glad to see you're dating after all this time."
I forced myself not to roll my eyes at the old woman who had been a steady customer almost from the beginning and brags to almost everyone in town about my cupcakes.
Growing up, my parents insisted we live off the land, so I learned early on how to incorporate that into baking. My lavender cupcakes are the shit because I don't use an extract like most people. I grind up dried leaves straight into the sugar and allow the natural oils to do their thing.
I realized I’d stayed quiet for longer than Ms. Dixie considered sociably acceptable when she gave me a pointed look.
"Yes, Hendrix and I went out for breakfast, and yes, we're seeing each other."
"I knew it. You two are so adorable. From what Ms. Daisy said, he even pulled your chair out for you. That's a sign of a good man right there."
If Ms. Dixie knew about his pierced cock and filthy mouth in the bedroom, she probably wouldn't be calling Hendrix a gentleman anymore.
"And you let him pay the bill. That's such a lady thing to do. Too many women these days want to split things all the time but I say if he's willing to pay, let him. There are plenty of other ways to contribute to a relationship."
I kept my mouth shut because there was nothing for me to say to that. I didn't have feelings either way on the topic.
"What else did Ms. Daisy say? She was obviously very talkative this morning and I guess it was a good thing today was your normal day to come see me. Otherwise, you would've had to wait to get the scoop."
Ms. Dixie brushed me off with a wave of her hand. "Nonsense. I would've made a special trip to come ask you if that was the case. I can't let Ms. Daisy be the only one gossiping. I need to contribute. Otherwise I'll be kicked off the phone tree."
I burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of her statement.
Except I knew it wasn't ridiculous. These ladies took gossip to a whole other level. I wouldn't be surprised if there really was a club.
"Well then, I'll let you in on a little secret . . ." I leaned down close enough so that only she could hear me. "I've already moved in with him as well."
Ms. Dixie gasped. "Before marriage? You little hussy." She smacked my hand with a big smile that told me she was only joking. "I can't wait to tell the ladies."
I shook my head and rang up her order.
The whole town would know within an hour, if they didn't already. Hendrix's neighborhood wasn't like Kati's. He didn't have little old ladies next door or across the street that watched his every move, so it was understandable that they didn't see the two nights he kidnapped me.
Hendrix had insisted that morning that he wanted to make a statement.
Well, I just upped him one by divulging that little tidbit even if it wasn't completely accurate. I still had my apartment above the bakery, but since I owned the building, it wasn't like I had a landlord to report to. I could move out or stay if I liked. Although I already knew what I would be doing. Hendrix wanted me in his bed and that was where I wanted to be, so it was a moot point.
"I can't believe you just told the biggest gossip in town that you're living with Hendrix." Janie snuck up behind me and made me jump.
"Jesus Christ, don't scare me like that!" I put my hand to my erratically beating heart.
"Sorry." She didn't sound sorry at all when she shrugged. "Next time you should check your surroundings before sharing the big news."
I exhaled sharply. "It's not that big of news and I told her because I knew it would get out. Hendrix all but peed on me this morning at the diner to tell the whole town we're together."
"Gross." Janie shivered. "But at the same time I can totally see him doing that. He seems like the kind of man who would want to stake his claim so every guy within a one-mile radius knows you're taken."
"More like a hundred-mile radius." We both chuckled at the truth of my statement.
"Does that mean you're moving out of the apartment upstairs?"
"Probably at some point." I leaned back against the marble counter. "Why, do you know someone who is looking for a place?"
Apartments were few and far between in a town this small. I was lucky the building came with one because there had been nothing available when I moved to Willow Creek, not for a good six months.
"Me." She raised her hand and did a little wave.
I was ashamed to admit I never asked where she lived before. I mean, I knew her address based on her employment application, but nothing more.
"Yeah, of course. How quickly do you need to be out of your current place?"
"Oh, I can move out whenever but I would rather it be sooner than later. It's a little pathetic being twenty-four and still living with your parents."
Well, shit! I couldn't wait to turn eighteen so I could move out. I couldn't imagine sticking around for another six years after that.
"Let me just talk to Hendrix about when I can get my stuff moved over but I would think it wouldn't take more than a couple of days. I can even leave the furniture if you like."
"Oh no, that's okay." She waved me off. "I've been working and saving up since high school. I stayed in a dorm during college and then after graduation I thought it would be better to stay with my parents until I had a nice cushion. I just never imagined I would still be there."
Well, that made the situation sound a little better. Not that I was judging her or anything. At least I was trying not to.
"I'll talk to Hendrix tonight and let you know tomorrow. I actually wanted to talk to you about your schedule today."
"I'll work whenever," Janie was quick to respond. "Open or close, it doesn't bother me. I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, so my social life is a little bland these days."
Now that surprised me. "Really? I figured you had a bunch of friends you were spending your evenings and weekends with. That was one of the reasons I didn't want to put too much on you. I'm a workaholic but that doesn't mean everyone has to be."
"People always assume that because I'm so outgoing. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, plenty of them, but we prefer to spend our nights in, either reading or binging a show with pizza and wine. I tried the club life in college and it wasn't for me."
"Yeah, it wasn't for me either. Too many people bumping into you. I much prefer my personal bubble."
"Same!" Janie screeched. "Usually by the third time someone bumped into me, I was ready to throw down."
We both laughed even though I could never see Janie throwing down against anyone. She was too nice and bubbly. It was more likely she would talk the person to death to get rid of them.
"How about this? Think about it tonight and pick a schedule. I'm just happy not to work twelve-plus hours a day, most days. Plus, Hendrix will thank you."
"I'm sure he will." She winked at me.
I grabbed one of the towels and playfully whipped it at her. "Enough of that. Get back to work before I regret telling everyone my business."
Janie danced away on her tiptoes with a laugh and a smartass comment. "You brought this on yourself."
I sure did, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Hendrix wasn't the only one who wanted everyone in town to know who he belonged to. I too could have a possessive side.