Mia a Matter of Taste
Page 9
“Focus, people, and we can wrap this up,” said Alexis, who is all about being an efficient manager.
“Oh, one of my mom’s friends from work wants us to do a dessert for the book club she’s hosting. My mom is going to it too,” said Mia. “I’ll follow up on that.” She punched a reminder into her phone.
“Good,” said Alexis. “We could use some more business and some new clients. We need to branch out.”
“Hey, don’t forget we have that bachelorette party for Mona’s client in two Saturdays,” I said.
“Yup. Got it right here,” said Alexis, looking at her calendar. “Three dozen. Our choice of flavor.”
While we were reviewing the order, my mom walked in. “Hello, Cupcakers!” she greeted cheerily. My mom loves my friends, which gives me such a happy and cozy feeling.
“Hi, Mrs. Taylor!” they all replied. They love her, too.
“What’s up?” asked Alexis. My mom doesn’t usually get home from work until five fifteen, and it was only four thirty now.
My mom grimaced. “I’m only here for a second. I have to take Jake to the doctor again. They’re talking about taking out his tonsils.” She whispered the last part.
“Bummer,” said Alexis.
“Dan had that done. It really hurts,” whispered Mia.
“I know. But it’s a pretty routine outpatient operation, and I guess the long-term payoff is worth it,” said my mom.
“Definitely,” Mia agreed, nodding. “Dan hasn’t had a sore throat since.”
“Well, here goes,” said my mom. Then she called out, “Jake! Hi, honey! Time for the doctor!” and left the room in search of my little brother.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of your mom to worry her, but,” said Mia quietly, “Dan couldn’t eat anything but soft food for almost two weeks.”
“Wow. Maybe we’ll have to make Jake big bowls of frosting to fatten him up!” said Alexis.
“You’re making me frosting?” asked Jake, walking into the room and shrugging on his hoodie.
“Maybe!” said Alexis, with a twinkle in her eye.
“I’ll be good! I promise!” said Jake.
Mia grabbed him in a playful hug. “You’re always good! It has nothing to do with that!” she said, tickling him.
He laughed and shrieked, and she let him go.
“Bye, big guy!” called Mia.
He waved and followed my mom out the door.
“He doesn’t even know what’s coming,” said Katie mournfully.
“It’s just tonsils!” I said, swatting her with the dishtowel. “He’s not having heart surgery!”
But I knew Jake would not be psyched. It might as well be heart surgery. And deep down inside, I worried for him just the same.
Coco Simon always dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery but was afraid she would eat all of the profits. When she’s not daydreaming about cupcakes, Coco edits children’s books and has written close to one hundred books for children, tweens, and young adults, which is a lot less than the number of cupcakes she’s eaten. Cupcake Diaries is the first time Coco has mixed her love of cupcakes with writing.
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
SIMON SPOTLIGHT
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
Copyright © 2013 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
SIMON SPOTLIGHT and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Text by Tracey West
Chapter header illustrations by Chuyi Wu
Designed by Laura Roode
ISBN 978-1-4424-7435-2 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-4424-7480-2 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4424-7436-9 (eBook)
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2013935693