Paige wasn’t sure whose expression was more amused, the older woman’s or Cohen’s, but whatever passed between them was a silent, mutual understanding. They had history, those two. Cohen turned back to Paige, unfazed. ‘As I was saying,’ he began again. ‘I got a specific request from my son this morning for something that’s double fudge, and I promised I would come and see if I could make good on that request before he got home from school. Unfortunately, I got behind in my appointments and it took longer to get here than planned. Am I too late?’
‘I’ve got just the thing, Just Cohen.’ She flashed him an excited smile, relieved that she did, in fact, have something that would fit the bill. She ducked down, intent on seeking out the cake she had in mind. Paige didn’t even realize she was still holding the box – Sonya’s box – in her hand until she was about to set it down and retrieve another one for Cohen.
Immediately, Paige stood up, her eyes wide as she came face to face with the older woman. ‘I’m sorry, Sonya. I didn’t finish getting everything for you! I’ll be right back.’ She whirled around, sending an apologetic glance at Cohen for making him wait as well, then scurried into the kitchen to add a slice of the chocolate peanut butter pie she’d made to have as her own dessert tonight, mortified at forgetting what she’d been doing the moment Cohen had entered the shop.
What in the world had come over her?
She knew all too well that Allison wasn’t going to let her live that one down. And if her first impression of Sonya was anything to go by, she wouldn’t, either.
Paige put on a brave face after slipping the piece of pie into the box and made her way back out to the counter. ‘An assortment of cupcakes and a slice of gourmet chocolate peanut butter pie,’ she announced, sliding the box across to Sonya. ‘You’ll have to let me know what you think.’
Sonya didn’t bother to open the box and inspect the choices Paige had chosen. Pushing the ten-dollar bill closer to her, Sonya tucked the box under her arm. ‘Trust me, Paige, I always let people know what I think.’ She cast a fleeting glance from Cohen to Paige and back again, then winked. ‘It was good to meet you, sweetheart.’ She turned to leave, but not before adding, ‘Have a good day, Dr Cohen,’ as she closed the door behind her.
The void of Sonya’s absence was felt the moment she left, but her words hung in the air like a thick veil. Allison had advised Paige on more than one occasion that the woman was a force to be reckoned with, but her spitfire personality was even more fiery than she’d expected.
‘Now, about that order for double fudge anything …’ Paige turned back to Cohen, unable to look Allison in the eye just yet, and went about cutting an enormous slice of chocolate Oreo cake with chocolate fudge icing and double chocolate fudge drizzle on top, carefully boxing it up. She added in a pair of mocha chocolate cupcakes for good measure. ‘If that doesn’t fit the bill for your son, I don’t know what will.’
‘It looks like he’s going to be swinging from the rafters till midnight once the sugar in that hits his bloodstream.’
He was smiling, but Paige immediately wondered if he thought it was too much. ‘I guess the doctor in you would be worried about the effects of all the refined sugar.’
‘Nah, it’s the dad in me that’s worried about that,’ he chuckled. ‘Besides, I’m not that kind of doctor. I’m a veterinarian. Believe me, I understand the need for a good sugar fix every now and then. What do I owe you, Paige?’
Allison stepped back, gesturing for her to take her place at the cash register. Paige punched a few buttons, ignoring the smug grin on her cousin’s face. When the amount came up on the screen, Cohen arched a brow. ‘That can’t be enough.’
‘It’s just for the cake,’ she advised happily. ‘The cupcakes are on the house.’
He pulled his wallet out and held out a twenty-dollar bill. ‘Thanks, Paige. Looks like I owe you one.’
Paige counted out his change and handed it to him. ‘You owe me nothing. I’m just glad I could fulfill the request of a boy with dreams of chocolate fudge.’
‘One forkful of that chocolatey masterpiece and I’ll bet you’ll be seeing my son and me in here a lot more.’
‘I’m looking forward to it, Cohen.’
He shoved his wallet back into his jeans pocket, his eyes gleaming when they met hers once more. ‘Me too,’ he assured her. ‘But I’d better get back to Jazz. She’s probably scaling the walls looking for me. It was nice to meet you, Paige. Have a good day, you two.’ He offered a slight nod toward Allison, and then they both watched as he made his way out of the shop, the bell above the door tolling lightly to announce his exit.
With the shop empty for the first time since the doors opened that morning, Paige turned to her cousin, who was still grinning. ‘What?’ Paige asked, rolling her eyes. She knew exactly what her cousin was thinking. They had been best friends too long not to know. ‘You’re looking at me like something big just happened.’
‘Something big did just happen,’ Allison exclaimed. ‘You, Paige Henley, just met Port Landon’s most eligible bachelor.’
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Acknowledgements
As always, thank you to Erica. This journey wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you to Belinda and the rest of the HQ and HarperCollins teams for all you do. To Dennis, thank you for being my rock. Thank you to my parents for believing in me so unconditionally.
Thank you to Jazz, who’s been by my side through it all. Heaven gained you as an angel during the edits of this book. You are loved and so, so missed, my girl, now and always. You’ll always be the star of Port Landon in my eyes.
Thank you to the readers and bloggers for all the posts, shares, reviews, and kind words. The book community truly is the best.
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A Wildflower Summer Page 27
