Seven #2
“Jovie emergency?” He stops at our booth and narrows his eyes at his siblings. “Looks more like a cupcake party to me.”
“Join us,” Holly says, shooting to her feet and practically shoving him into her seat. “Isla and I were just finishing up.”
Asher leans closer to peek at my mock-up. “Is this the latest project you’ve been pouring your heart into?”
I nod. “It’s almost finished. I just need to fine-tune a few things Holly and I discussed.”
“Isla has been an absolute dream of a creative partner.” Holly’s words make me melt. And blush. Then melt some more. “I hope she gets to rebrand the whole town.”
Willow wiggles her eyebrows at me, then tosses her brother a playful wink. “Watch out, Teddy. Our girl is about to run your firm into the ground.”
Theo doesn’t reply. When I dare to look across the table, I realize it’s because he’s preoccupied with staring at my work.
Probably analyzing each line and dissecting every stroke.
“No doubt she could if she wanted to,” he shocks me by saying.
Before I can process a statement that sounds startlingly close to praise, Asher claps his hands with dramatic flair.
“ Whoa. Was that a compliment? From Theodore Thorne? The advertising ice king himself?” He whips out his phone and aims it at his brother. “Say it again. I want it memorialized for posterity.”
“Isla doesn’t need my compliments,” Theo says. “Her work speaks for itself.” It’s a simple string of words, delivered with casual ease, yet there’s a weight behind them that makes my heart beat faster.
I’m tempted to remind him that I had a great mentor, but it feels risky to get personal in public, so I turn to Holly instead.
“The work is easy when you have such a wonderful client—and a magical place to bring to life. Your grandmother’s secret icing recipe has gotten me through more hard days than I care to admit. ”
Willow nods her agreement. “We’re all big fans, but Isla takes her devotion to the next level. I just found out my big brother has been ordering cupcakes from here on a weekly basis.”
Holly beams at me. “You’re the reason I was able to do all the renovations last year.
Your man put us on a retainer just to spoil you.
And he’s so thoughtful—he even insists on paying the driver quadruple for delivery into the city.
I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but he’s definitely my best client. ”
Willow leans over to pinch Asher’s cheek. “Such a charmer.”
A small wrinkle appears between Holly’s brows as she watches the interaction. She opens her mouth to speak again when Theo cuts in with his order.
“May I get a coffee, please?” His manners contradict his gruff tone. “Black.”
“Sure thing.” Holly’s frown dissolves, and she nods before slipping away .
“Anything for my sweet Isla,” Asher teases, nudging my shoulder. “She’s worthy of all the sugar in the world. I mean, just look at her. And her work!”
I suppress a gag at his theatrics. He’s laying it on so thick I’m shocked we’re not all drowning in syrup.
“Even thorny Theo appreciates her skills,” he continues.
My cheeks heat as Theo’s focus shifts back to me. I can’t tell if his expression is that of apathy or irritation. Either way, my nervous system takes it personally.
A few beats later, he clears his throat and pulls his attention away. “Will someone tell me why I was lured over here?” He hitches a thumb toward his niece, who is happily devouring her second cupcake. “Something about a babysitting crisis?”
“Well…” Willow’s mouth pulls into a pout.
“I promised Jovie we’d see Santa this afternoon, but I got called in for an induction.
The department is understaffed because of that terrible flu going around, so I have to cover for one of the nurses.
Mom and Dad are going to the Johnsons’ dinner party, Ash just got roped into shooting it, and Ro and Lix can’t be trusted to keep a plant alive between the two of them, so… ”
“You want me to take her,” Theo deduces.
“Please.” Willow leans in, pressing her hands together in mock prayer. “You’ll secure the coveted title of Best Uncle Forever.”
“ Hey ,” Asher protests, though a grin tugs at his lips.
“No problem,” Theo says, like the request doesn’t require a second thought. He leans in, swiping a bit of blue icing from Jovie’s cheek with a nearby napkin. “What do you say, kiddo? Wanna hang out with your favorite uncle tonight?”
“Hey!” his brother repeats. “Wait. Actually …” He pauses, as if loading a reckless idea. “Isla and I were planning a date to the Christmas market. ”
“We were?” The question slips out before I can stop it. I hadn’t intended to throw him under the sleigh, but could he at least warn me before broadcasting his delusions?
“Yup.” He nods enthusiastically. “Then I got my trigger-happy fingers twisted into helping with this anniversary party.”
“No date for us.” I sigh, feigning disappointment. “That's too bad.”
“No—it’s great .” He taps the dimple in his chin. “Now you’re free to help Theo.”
“I am?” I ask at the same time Theo grumbles, “She is?” He sounds offended. As if spending time with me might be hazardous to his health.
The feeling is mutual.
Which is why, once again, Asher should loop me the fuck in.
“You, Theo, and Jovie go see Santa,” he says to me. “I’ll meet you once I wrap. How does that sound, Snowflake Siren?”
The answer that comes to mind isn’t fit for polite company. And if my fake boyfriend—who is currently skating on the thin ice of no longer being my best friend—can read my thoughts in my narrowed glare, he doesn’t let on.
“More hands could come in handy.” Willow winces as Jovie snatches another treat.
“Theo might appreciate some backup when the sugar crash hits.” She turns to me with a look that’s equal parts begging and playful.
“Want to serve on the frontlines of the frosting fallout? Maybe you can even nudge Santa into steering my ambitious girl toward a toy unicorn over an actual mythical creature.”
“Sure,” I say. “I’d love to spend some special time with Jovie.” Toddler tantrums don’t scare me.
Alone time with Theo, though?
There’s no armor thick enough to get me through that frustration-ridden battlefield unscathed.