Chapter 6
SERANA
I was taking inventory in the walk-in refrigerator when my phone buzzed. Since I had gloves on, I ignored it but couldn’t wait to see what it was. I hurried through my tasks so I could get out of the cold space and check my phone.
As soon as I walked out, I put my clipboard between my knees and yanked my gloves off so I could pull my phone out of my pocket.
I ignored the butterflies in my stomach at the thought of it maybe being Roscoe but couldn’t stop myself from smiling when I saw that it was from him.
Hello, beautiful lady! I’m about to drive up out front. If you’re not too busy, can you come talk for a second?
“If it was anyone else, a smile like that would terrify me, but since it’s you, I know everything’s going to be okay,” Janis said from where she was standing at the counter creating buttercream roses for a cake we had going out this afternoon.
As I walked toward the swinging door that separated the kitchen from the front counter, I said, “You never know what’s going through my mind, Janis. I might be giddy because I’m plotting a murder.”
“No, that’s the smile of a woman smitten with a hot guy. If I remember correctly, you were teasing me about having my own smile like that earlier this year.”
“You still get giddy every time Corey sends you a message,” I pointed out. I grinned at her over my shoulder before I added, “You should see the look on your face when he shows up unannounced.”
“Like you do when Ros shows up?”
“I do not!” I called out, before I pushed the door open and walked out front.
Right before the door shut, I heard Janis yell, “Bring him back here so you can chat!”
“Hi!” I said as Roscoe walked up to the counter. Luckily, there was only one other customer in the bakery right now, and Ginger was ringing her up, so I held the swinging gate open and motioned for Roscoe to come through.
I didn’t need to ask what he wanted. As he walked past, I reached into the pastry case for his usual and grabbed a water from the cooler.
Since he visited often - or as often as his job allowed - he knew the drill and went to sit on the stool that Janis had against the wall for visitors so they didn’t get in the way and to protect the sanctity of our work space.
I set his water bottle on the counter and handed him the danish and a few napkins. He smiled and thanked me before he took a big bite.
“What brings you to the bakery today?” I asked.
“I came to visit you,” Roscoe said, flashing a grin. “And to throw myself at Janis’s mercy.”
“What do you want, Hamilton?” Janis barked from across the room.
She didn’t look up from what she was doing, her brow furrowed in a permanent, concentrated scowl.
To a stranger, she probably looked ready for a fight, but I saw the slight softening around her eyes.
She lived to play the martyr, making everyone "earn" her kindness before she inevitably gave in.
“I need a cake for Simon’s birthday.”
The mention of a celebration was like a magic word. Janis wiped her hands on her apron and looked up with bright eyes.
“How fun! Let me get my order pad,” she said, her tone shifting cheerfully as she reached for a pen. “First of all, when do you want it?”
“The party is tonight.”
My heart lurched when I realized that I wasn’t going to get to see him this evening, but I consoled myself with the fact that he was here now.
“You want me to bake a cake for a . . . how old is he?” Janis asked.
“Today is his seventh birthday, but his party isn’t until this weekend.”
“That’s the cupcake order, right?” I asked. When Janis nodded, I said, “But you want a cake for today too?”
“Yes. Basically, Simon was positive that he was going to get a surprise party - even though he’s known for a month that his actual party is this weekend,” Roscoe explained.
“So, you’re going to give him one?” I asked.
“Yeah. When Holly called and told me how excited he was this morning, I volunteered to host a small get-together at my place so he can officially be surprised.”
“That’s sweet.”
“The problem is, the only free time I’ve got today is for the next few minutes. I have back-to-back appointments until five o’clock, so I’m scrambling.”
Without thinking I volunteered, “I’ll get everything together for you. That way, it will be ready when you get off work.”
“You will?”
“I’d love to! I’ve never decorated for a kid’s birthday party before, but how hard could it be? I’ll get some of the girls to help, and we’ll be out of your hair well before the guests arrive.”
“I was actually hoping you’d come to the party.”
“Really?” My mind was racing. I had never felt like he was trying to hide me, but he’d never invited me to an event where his parents would be.
I’d eaten dinner at Holly’s with all the kids and met his brothers at various restaurants over the last few months, but he’d never mentioned introducing me to his dads.
Before I got my hopes up or had time to consider why it felt so important to me, I asked, “How many people will be there?”
“It’s not a huge blowout since it’s so last minute, but my dads will be there along with Tati, Ranger, and Noble. Of course, Holly, Damien, and their kids too. Lout and Willow will probably come over too.”
“Do you want me to cook dinner as well?” I asked, scrambling to think of what I could pull together with such a short window.
“No. He could live on pizza, so that’s what we’ll have, and I’ve already ordered it for delivery this evening.”
“So, other than making the cake and decorating, what do you need me to do?”
Roscoe smiled before he said, “Just hang out with the family and enjoy yourself.”
“I can do that.”
“Well, if she’s coming to the party, then she can make the cake,” Janis offered.
“Will you have time?” Roscoe asked.
I glanced at the whiteboard, scanning a list of tasks that needed to be completed before I left for the day. “As long as it’s not a three-tier monstrosity with a bunch of detail, I can get it done,” I assured him.
“He likes camouflage.”
I waited for Roscoe to give me another hint. When he just stared back at me expectantly, I asked, “What else does he like?”
“Guns. Ammunition. Nerf anything. Paratroopers. Shark teeth.”
As Roscoe’s brow furrowed in thought, I said, “I can work with that.”
“You’ll make it awesome?”
“What flavor?”
“Can you make it white cake with some kind of filling that looks like blood?”
Janis burst out laughing, and it was my turn to frown. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. He’d love that!”
I looked over at Janis, who grinned. “What are you thinking?”
“Two-layer white cake with chocolate buttercream frosting, strawberry puree filling, and airbrushed camo exterior.”
“We have a winner!” Roscoe said cheerfully before he hopped off the stool and pulled me into a hug.
When he leaned his head back and smiled down at me, all I could think about was how much I wanted him to kiss me.
Instead, he let me go and walked toward the door.
“You’re the best, Serana! I’ll see you this evening. ”
I watched him walk out and sighed, only to find Janis watching me.
“How does that friend zone feel right now?”
“What is it you always say when there’s something you don’t want to talk about?”
“You’re fired!”
“Not that.”
“You just moved up to the top of the list of people I want to kill.”
“Yeah! That’s it. That’s how I feel right now.”
◆◆◆
“Are you sure you want me to leave you here alone?” Taylor asked, looking around at the decorations she’d helped me put up. “I can stay for a little while.”
“Go ahead. I know you’ve got plans. Roscoe will be here shortly, and his family isn’t supposed to be here for at least an hour and a half. I might just nap on the couch while I wait.”
“You need a nap? I don’t understand why. You only worked one of your jobs today, so it’s not like you have any reason to be tired.”
“You’re right! I can’t imagine why I’m complaining,” I said sarcastically.
“Between working full-time at the bakery, part-time at The Flower Patch, and completing your community service hours, you’re the busiest woman I know.”
“That’s saying something, because I’m not the only one who has a full schedule. However, I’m happy to say that I’ve only got a few months left before my fines are paid off!”
“That’s gotta be a relief. Maybe you can take a little time for yourself once those are off your plate.”
“We’ll see,” I said noncommittally.
“I have to go, but I’ll be waiting for you to call for me to either come be your backup or come get you when the party is over.”
“Roscoe will probably drive me home, but I’ll let you know,” I told her as we walked toward the front door.
“I hope they’re happy with all you’ve done for the party. The people at the stores we went to probably think we’re nuts.”
I laughed, remembering how we’d swept through the discount stores looking for decor and tableware to match the cake.
Turning to look over my shoulder at the finished room, I knew it was worth it.
Once I said goodbye to Taylor, I shut the door and did one final sweep to make sure everything was perfect.
Then, I sent Roscoe a text letting him know the house was ready.
Since all the preparations were complete, I sat down in the recliner to relax for the first time today and closed my eyes for a quick power nap, hoping to recharge before Roscoe and his family arrived.
I’d been around them enough to know that it would be loud and wild from the second they walked in the door, and I couldn’t wait to spend even more time with all of them.