4. Chapter 4 #2
He pulled his gaze away from my shoulder, where the shirt collar had slid to expose the pasty skin underneath.
Forget my red nose—my shoulders could reflect enough light on their own. Yikes.
“Uh, yeah.” He cleared his throat and squinted at my nose. “Yep. It’s all gone.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”
It wasn’t the worst revenge he could exact, but it was a decent start if he wanted to ease himself into it. Let me continue the rest of our conversation with smears of white in the nooks and crannies of my schnozz, none the wiser.
He grinned, the mischievous twinkle never leaving his eyes. “Why would I do something like that?”
That was a rhetorical question, right? As if I couldn’t list five reasons off the top of my head.
When I didn’t reply, his smile softened. “You got it all, Dekker. I promise. Can I help you up now?”
I stared at his hand for a second too long before shaking myself out of it. The sooner I started tipping the karmic skills away from “indebted to Max for eternity” the better.
“I’ve got it, but thanks.” I struggled to my feet, the cracking of my knees and involuntary grunt that escaped my mouth proving just how much I did not got it .
He watched until I stood, hovering nearby as if he might have to catch me when my legs gave out. Which was fair.
Apparently satisfied that I wouldn’t keel over, he returned to the half-finished cupcake he’d left on the counter. “These cupcake-brownie things are amazing by the way. You’ve come a long way from being an intern.”
My blood froze in my veins. If there was any doubt in my mind that he’d remembered I was the one who ruined his life that day, it was gone now.
I had told him when I met him I was an intern.
I’d been joking, but how was he supposed to know I’d only been in the bakery for a job interview that somehow turned into me running a cake tasting?
The truth was weirder than any lie I could’ve come up with.
Should I tell him I was never an intern there?
Did it even matter? If anything, the misconception I was an intern might allow for more grace than if he knew I was supposed to actually know what I was doing.
Interns were notorious for making mistakes.
Someone who owned her own bakery? Not so much.
Plus, whatever position I’d held—which would be none, officially—wouldn’t change the fact I’d ruined his engagement.
The last thing I wanted was to rehash that day in any way and remind him of why he hated me. But I couldn’t lie. Not just because it made my insides feel like rotten applesauce, but because I physically could not get away with lying. Like, ever.
“Yeah, about that” —I swallowed hard, focusing on the plate of cupcakes like my life depended on it— “I wasn’t really an intern. I…I didn’t even work there. Officially.”
Now it sounded like I was there for the sole purpose of ruining his life. Awesome.
“I’d interviewed to work there,” I continued, my words rushing together in a downpour.
“Priscilla made me do the cake tasting because I’d apparently inconvenienced her so much she’d fallen behind schedule.
I only said I was an intern because it was like an unpaid internship, but worse, and Lex was undercover, and I didn’t know how you might have known her, so I tried to play it safe and—”
“Dekker,” he interrupted when I stopped for a breath. “I already know. Priscilla told me.”
What? So I’d just rambled like an idiot for nothing? And he’d intentionally mentioned I was an intern while already knowing that wasn’t the case? Very tricky, Max. Did he want to torture me with more guilt, make me come clean myself? What was his angle?
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the job,” he added. “For the record, though, I think you dodged a bullet. You should have your own place, not be sidelined as one of Priscilla’s little worker bees.”
Did he already know about my bakery back in Pennsylvania, too?
He’d probably run a background check on me as soon as he’d learned my name.
And when had that been? When he’d talked to Priscilla?
Lex’s engagement party where I’d run out ten minutes into it when I couldn’t avoid him anymore?
Or some other time? How long had he known everything about me, just waiting to take his revenge?
Having someone else remind me of my stagnancy and supreme lameness only rubbed salt in the wound Lex had opened earlier.
On the slim chance he didn’t already know about my bakery, I wasn’t about to provide him with more ammunition.
He’d probably read Besserman’s article and knew all about my failure as a baker, too.
And what better dig could he get at me than to remind me of it?
Well done, Max. Well done.
I bristled, holding the plate out for him. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again for your help.”
His brows furrowed as he hesitantly accepted the plate. That’s right, buddy. I caught on to your plan. You’re going to have to try harder next time .
“Did—”
His words got cut short by a knock on my door. Hallelujah! That must be Lex here to pick up her cupcakes and provide me with a convenient reason to kick Max out before he could wage more psychological warfare.
I flashed him a smile that more closely resembled a grimace and weaved through the debris to my door.
Sure enough, Lex stood on the other side, her dark curls wet and plastered flat against her head and shoulders.
Raindrops glistened on her face and jacket, her green eyes bright as she grinned at me.
“You’re still awake! I was afraid I’d have to kick the door in after all.” She paused as I waved her in, taking in the room with a low whistle. “Wow. It looks like a library threw up in here.”
I chuckled, closing the door behind her. “Yeah, better not let Colt see it or else he’ll have a stroke.”
“Or never leave until it was organized, even if it meant he’d become your new roommate.”
I groaned good-naturedly. “Please no. I’m not that desperate for a roommate.”
“Hey now,” she teased, spinning in a circle to catalog the disaster around us, “you two wake up at almost the same time, so it could actually work. Of course—” She cut off as she noticed Max standing behind the kitchen counter, watching us with the plate of cupcakes in one hand. “Max?”
He smiled, covering his mouth as he bit into his second cupcake. “Hey, Lex. Didn’t know you were coming over.”
She sent me a meaningful look. “I could say the same for you. What brings you to my sister’s apartment?”
Oh sweet chicken nuggets and ginger ale .
The last thing I needed was for Lex to know I freaked out on a Friday the Thirteenth -level scale over a belt on my bedroom floor.
She’d never let me live it down. I’d forever be finding belts all over my apartment, the bakery, her place, you name it.
Heck, she’d probably sneak some belts onto the floors at my favorite grocery store.
“Dekker had a scare with a snake in her apartment,” he answered with a shrug.
Oh, great. I could feel the punchline coming, the perfect opportunity to humiliate me.
“I took care of it, though, so it’s all good.” He nodded at the plate. “These are payment for services rendered.”
Hold up. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the snake being a belt. He’d had a chance to roast me handed to him on a silver platter. And he hadn’t taken it? What was that about? I didn’t know whether to be grateful or expect a worse attack in the future. For now, I’d focus on being grateful.
Lex’s brows raised. “Wow, good thing you were nearby. Dekker might’ve had a heart attack on the spot otherwise.”
I glowered at her, but like always, it had no effect. I’d made it a minute or two without having a cardiac event, thank you very much. Granted, it was never a real snake, but that shouldn’t matter.
He flashed a smile, making his way toward the door. “Can’t blame her if she did. It was a huge, nasty thing. Never seen a snake quite like it before.”
He was still covering for me. Huh. I mean, he’d also called my belt “nasty,” but still.
He nodded at each of us, his free hand resting on the door handle. “Thanks for the cupcakes, Dekker. Have a nice night, ladies.”
And then he was gone. Just like that.
Lex rounded on me, crossing her arms. “Want to tell me the real reason you’re giving him my cupcakes?”
I couldn’t help the smile pulling at my mouth. “He heard me scream and came to make sure I was all right. I had to repay him somehow.”
“And ease your conscience while you were at it since you’re convinced he hates you.”
“He does .”
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Whatever. As long as you saved some cupcakes for me. It’s been a long day, and I still have to figure out when I can make it for my final dress fitting during normal business hours.
And then there are the bridesmaids dresses and the centerpieces and decorations for the venue and” —she heaved a sigh, flopping onto the cleared off cushion of the couch— “I’m starting to think Colt and I should just elope. It’s so much simpler.”
I shrugged, placing her cupcakes in the smallest box I’d emptied out today. “I’d support that, though Mom and Dad would be bummed.”
They were currently exploring the world as empty-nesters but would come home briefly for the wedding. Lex would just have to have their first grandchild soon so they’d be inclined to visit more often since my own wedding clearly wouldn’t be happening any time this century.
“As for the dresses, I can see if the rest of the girls can meet a little early for girls’ night tomorrow and go try ours on together.”
Since I’d be at the bakery from open to close, I’d be cutting it a little close, but I’d make it work.
“Really? You’re a lifesaver.”
I snorted—a significantly more ladylike huff of disbelief than the unholy snorts I made whenever Max was around. “I’m not sure I’d say that, but it’s nice to be appreciated.”
Her voice took on a conspiratorial note. “Speaking of appreciation, I’m pretty sure Max feels very appreciated tonight.”
I glared at her, scrubbing at the kitchen counter to keep my hands busy. “You and I both know the real reason I offered them, and they’re just cupcakes. Nothing special.”
“Hmm, they’re your cupcakes, so that automatically raises the bar a bit. Plus, Max is notorious around the squad for his sweet tooth. If you were looking for a way into his good graces, or, you know, his heart ” —she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively— “you found it.”
“Good graces. Just his good graces.”
I’d be hard-pressed to accomplish that much, let alone anything more. And anything romantic was out of the question. Forever. Getting him not to hate me was one thing. Getting him to like me was another. And did I even want him to like me?
I mean, I wanted everyone to like me. But like -like? A chill raced down my spine before I could entertain such a ludicrous thought further. Max didn’t go for women like me. He hated me, I ruined his life, and I couldn’t fit a dating life into my schedule anyway. Simple as that. End of discussion.
She laughed, accepting the box of cupcakes from me. “What was it you said when I used to complain about Colt?” She adopted a British accent that was as horrible as my own. “ Methinks the lady doth protest too much .”
“I’m protesting the exact right amount, thank you very much. Now get out of here so I can get some sleep.”
“Sure thing, Grandma.”
I rolled my eyes as I walked her to the door.
I didn’t care what she thought of my bedtime.
Sleep was sacred and mornings were superior, which was something a night owl like her had disagreed with me about all our lives.
“Drive safely, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow for girls’ night, assuming you can still make it. ”
“I’m hoping so.” She sent me a mischievous grin. “If you change your mind and want more tips about how to woo your neighbor, let me know.”
“Goodbye, Lex.”
I shut the door before she could make any kissy faces or otherwise tease me.
As the older sibling, wasn’t that my responsibility?
The problem was any razzing I gave her about her relationship didn’t faze her in the least. Hearts would practically shoot out of her eyes and her voice would soften.
It would’ve been gross if it wasn’t so cute.
I’d find someone.
Eventually.
Probably.
But that someone would not be Max.