All I wanted to do now was to get home to my baby and forget this whole night ever existed.
Chapter 3
The bell on my front door dings and I twirl around, squealing when I see who it is. “Mrs. Buchanan is in the house!” Monroe’s face is lit up with a radiant smile. She’s absolutely glowing, and not just from the killer tan that I’m absolutely jealous of.
“That sounds so weird, but I love it.”
“Well, get used to it.” I wipe my flour covered hands on my apron and run around the counter to crush her in a tight hug. “That’s all I’m calling you from now on. Let me look at you.” I peel myself away and hold her at arm’s length. “I’m so jealous of your tan. What did you do? Lay on the beach for two weeks straight?”
“Yup, that’s it,” she answers quickly, her cheeks turning a faint red.
“Mmhmm, I’m sure that’s all you did… But you can fill me in on that later. I still can’t believe you got Miller to stay away from work for two weeks straight. Was he on his phone the whole time?”
“No, not at all. He was surprisingly laid back; not a word about work.”
“Well that’s because he was getting laid.” I bump my shoulder into hers and then motion for her to come around to the back. “I have two more pies to finish up and then you can tell me everything.”
“Mmm, it smells so good in here. I’ve missed your baking…and you, too,” she adds with a giggle after snatching a cookie off a baking sheet and taking a big bite.
“Oh, I can totally tell.” I flick some flour at her. “That’s alright, I get it. You just use me for my skills in the kitchen.”
“Hey, that’s not the only reason why I’m friends with you. It’s also because of your impeccable sense of style. Even covered in flour and elbows deep in dough. I mean, who else runs around their bakery in a pair of heels and a dress? Amelia Emerson, that’s who. I want to be you when I grow up.”
“Oh my goodness, Roe-Roe. You sure know how to give a girl a big head. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be anything like me. I swear, I’m the biggest train wreck lately.” I pop the French apple pie I had been working on in the oven and dust my hands off before moving onto the second one.
“Train wreck? Seriously, Amelia? Are you still dwelling on what happened at the reception?”
“What exactly do you know?” I stop pressing the dough into the pan to narrow my eyes at her, wanting to spill everything that I’ve been holding onto for the past two weeks on the inside with no one to talk to since my best friend was on her honeymoon. I wasn’t going to pick up the phone to bother her with my problems.
“Well.” She dances around the kitchen before pushing herself onto the counter and patting the spot next to her. I guess my pie can wait. I hop up next to her and wait for her to spill the details on what she knows. The wait is killing me. “You and Tanner seemed to be getting pretty close.” She swings her legs back and forth, and I can’t figure out from her tone exactly what she means.
“Well, I had way too much to drink.”
“Do you remember anything that happened?”
“Not exactly…”
“Amelia, I cannot believe you. Why did you let yourself get like that?”
I groan, pushing myself off the counter and help myself to one of the cookies Monroe had been munching on. She’s a dancer, always moving, so the cookies are nothing to her—but with me, everything seems to go straight to my hips. I had never been much for sweets before I got pregnant with Paisley, but now it seems like I was a stress eater.
“I don’t know, having to be around Tanner like that was hard. I figured a few drinks would help.”
“A few?”
“Well, you could’ve stopped me.”
“Really? I tried—more than once. You were having fun, so I figured, why not? I haven’t seen you like that in a long time. It was nice to see the old Amelia come out to play. So, what happened with you and Tanner afterwards? You two seemed to be getting awfully close; I think I spat out some of my drink when I saw you dancing together.”
“We were doing what?” I smacked my hand onto the metal counter and her lips pushed upwards, a smug smile starting to form.
“Oh, so you don’t remember that either. Interesting.”
“Yeah, so interesting,” I grumble, waving a hand at her to continue. “Maybe I just blocked it out on purpose because I don’t want to remember.”
“You were dancing together for a while.” I wave my hand, urging her to hurry it up, and she sighs dramatically. “Okay, you were dancing like you could’ve worked at Pure, grinding all over him, and he didn’t minding one bit. Is that better?”
“Bitch, did you just call me a stripper?”
“Well, if the stiletto fits...”
I burst out laughing, doubling over, and sigh when I finally return my breathing to normal. “I can’t believe I did that. And what makes things worse is that I ended up in bed with him.”
“What?” She screeches. “How the hell is that not the first thing you told me the minute I walked through the front door? I knew he was making sure you got home okay, but I didn’t know he was going to take advantage of you. I like Tanner, I do. He’s Miller’s best friend and has been for a while, but what he did by not stepping up when you told him you were pregnant. I mean, I’m not saying he should’ve left Marissa. No, that didn’t come out right. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again by getting yourself into a sticky situation.”
“Monroe,” I shake my head, adding as much force to my voice as I can find, “that’s not happening. Nothing happened between us. He just took me back to his hotel room and made sure I was alright. I might’ve overreacted just a teensy bit though. I sort of accused him of things that I don’t think are true but…” I blinked away the tears away that were trying to escape. I don’t know why I let myself get so worked up. It was done and over with. I haven’t seen Tanner since that night, and I plan on trying not to see him again for as long as possible.
I think Monroe senses that I just want this conversation to be over, because she pats my back as she clears her throat. “Well, you have me back now, so anything you need, I’m here. Try to steer clear of him. I know he’s a good dad to Paisley, but you and Tanner do not mix well—you’re like oil and water and that’s without factoring in Marissa. That’s just a bad combination.”
“Right.” I clear my throat, feeling the awkwardness of my best friend bringing up Marissa as if she is concerned about her feelings. Sometimes Monroe is just too good of a person, but I try to not let myself be bothered that she cares.
“I have to get the studio opened up. I’ve missed that place so much.” Her whole face lights up with the prospect of being back in her element.
“Okay, honey.” I wrap her in one more hug before grabbing a white box with my signature pink lips label slapped on top. “Here, these are for you.”
“Really? What yummies did you make me this time?”
“Oh, I don’t know, they might possibly be your favorite cookie ever. Consider it a welcome home present,” I sing coyly.
“Really? Thanks! I knew you were my best friend for a reason.” She is already opening the box to snatch out a cookie as she walks out the front door. “Stop over before you head home. We need to do dinner, and I need my Paisley fix.”
“Will do.” I smile just thinking about Paisley, and my mood brightens. I finish up my baking that’s on the agenda for the day, and I’m collapsing onto the single chair in the kitchen when I hear the front door bell ring. I groan internally, but I push a smile onto my face as I pop up and head towards the front to greet a customer.
“Hey, Amelia.” My mouth drops open when I see who is standing on the other side of the counter with a smile on his face. I haven’t seen him in about three years, and those years had done him some good. His sandy brown hair is just a touch longer than the usual carefully groomed look he had been sporting the last time I saw him, giving him somewhat of an edge that he never had before. His
clothes don’t look as stuffy; gone are the pressed pants and collared shirt, replaced by a plain gray t-shirt and a pair of faded jeans—and he definitely fills them out well. Gone is the gangly kid, replaced by a I-work-out-everyday man. Wowsers.
“Danny Peterson, what in the world are you doing here?” A grin spreads across my face at his appearance but I still try to peek around his shoulder to make sure no one’s behind him—a certain ex-boyfriend of mine that has long been history, but they had been really good friends.
His grass-green eyes dance and he shifts to the right. “Franklin’s not with me; we aren’t really friends anymore. In fact, I haven’t seen or heard from him in about a year.”
“Really? Why? You two seemed like really good friends.”
“You probably don’t want to hear the reason for that falling out.”
I squinted at him, but decided to let it go. At the time Franklin and I dated, I was basically trying to make my parents happy. If you were only judging by his name, you could tell he was a little uppity. He ran in the same social circle my family did, even though he was from the Midwest. His Grandfather was from the area and had a very influential name in these parts. My parents fell in love with him as soon as I told them his last name and wanted me to have that last name the very next day.
In the end, I couldn’t force myself to be with someone that I wasn’t completely in love with. I even tried a second time to make things work with him, but it was only worse that go around. Franklin was worried about money and his image—my mom had tried to drill the same things into me growing up but I wasn’t worried about that stuff now.
Danny had always been such a sweet guy to me, especially when Franklin was busy trying to flaunt his money. They didn’t hang out much because Danny was engrossed in his school, but when they did, I loved when he was around.
“So, this is your place? It’s very Amelia. I spotted the pink lips on the front door and I knew it had to be yours.”
“Is that right?” I laugh. “I didn’t know you were such an Amelia expert.”
“Well,” he shuffles his feet around, a slight pink tint to his cheeks, “let’s just say I’m a people watcher. I probably know you better than you think.”
“Oh really?” I arch one brow. “Have you been watching me?” I tease. “Is that how you knew where to find me?”
“I didn’t say I was a stalker, Amelia.” He taps his knuckles on my countertop. “Now that would just be plain creepy. Actually, I had one of your cupcakes and I thought I had died and gone straight to Heaven.”
I’m beaming from ear to ear. I love when people talk about my goodies; it’s like each and every one is one of my children and to hear that they won someone over like that is one proud mama moment. “Really? Where in the world did you have one of my cupcakes?” I mean, business is good but I didn’t think it spread much outside of my little town.
“Victoria brought them into the office actually. I was surprised as hell when she told me they were from your place. So,” he shrugs, scratching at the back of his neck before a shy smile creeps onto his face, “I asked her for the address so I could come see you. It’s been a while. I hope that’s okay.”
Victoria was the one and only sorority sister that I had kept in contact with after I dropped out of school. Actually, we weren’t even the greatest of friends before I left, but afterwards she reached out. She stays pretty busy with work and her own life, but every once in a while we get together. She had come in about a week ago to get a dozen assorted cupcakes to take into the doctor’s office where she worked. I knew Dan was going to school to become a physical therapist, but I didn’t realize they worked together. “Of course it’s okay! I’m so glad you stopped in, and since you made the drive, go ahead and take your pick.” His eyes light up when I tap on the glass display holding my selection of cupcakes for the day. He points to the one in the top row, second from the left. “That one sounds amazing.”
“Oh, the s’more. Yup, that one’s pretty popular. You’ll love it.” I pull it out and he devours it in two quick bites. I watch in amusement as he licks a dollop of frosting from his lips. “Can I get about two dozen of those?”
“It’s that good?” I laugh and hand him a napkin from the edge of the counter. “Well, unfortunately I don’t have that many left. I could make up a batch tomorrow and have them ready by the end of the day if you wanted to come back and pick them up.”
“That would work.” He pauses before worrying away at his lip. His grassy green eyes watch me carefully before he speaks again. “As long as you promise me a date when I come to get them.”
“A what?” I stutter. I’m pretty sure I need to clean out my ears because I thought I just heard the word date pass his lips. The word sounds foreign and is definitely not something that I’m used to hearing.
“A date, Amelia.” He smiles crookedly. “With me. We could do dinner and maybe catch a movie. Whatever you’re up for.”
“Listen, Danny, I don’t think that’s such a great idea.” I purse my lips, hating the way that his face crumbles and his shoulders sag in defeat. I’d bet he would hate it even more if I gave him the, “its not you, its me,” line, even though it’s the truth.
“Is this where I get the nice guy talk?”
“No, not at all, even though you are. I have to admit, when I was with Franklin, I might’ve had a teensy little crush on you. It’s just…we haven’t seen each other in so long and a lot has changed in my life. Even more than having my own business. I don’t really get out much. I can’t even remember the last time I went out on a date…it was probably with Franklin, actually. I just—”
“Amelia,” he interrupts, a small smile now playing on his beautiful lips. Yes, it’s been way too long. “Is this because of your daughter?”
My mouth pops open. “How did you—” I already know the answer. Victoria. I don’t know whether I want to smack the girl or kiss the shit out of her for spilling the beans. I don’t care that people know about Paisley—far from it—I’m the proudest mama out there. I’m just not sure how guys feel about dating a single mom, and it’s all completely new territory to me—but Paisley and I are a package deal.
“Victoria told me,” he confirms. “And I’m still asking you out to dinner. So,” he tugs a hand through his hair, his nerves shining through, “how ‘bout it?”
I blow out a breath and decide to jump feet first. The old Amelia would have said yes in a heartbeat. Danny is one of the good guys. A perfect first date for this born again virgin, not that I’m thinking about having sex with him. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, woman. One hurdle at a time, Amelia. “I would love to. Pick me up around six tomorrow night?”
His smile is blinding as he backs up a step and I think he might be a little shocked that I said yes. “It’s a date. I’ll see you tomorrow night. And I don’t really need those cupcakes. I just needed an in.” He winks, and I narrow my eyes at him.
“So you don’t want any more of my cupcakes, is that what you’re saying? They weren’t that good?” I tilt my head at him and he shakes his head.
“They were delicious. Trust me, I’ll take one of your cupcakes…any day.” He smirks and my eyebrows pop up as he bumps the door open with his back.
“Well, alright then. I’ll be sure to have my cupcakes ready.”
Chapter 4
After what seems like the longest day ever, I finally lock up the shop and head home to get ready for my date. That word still feels strange, even floating around in my head, and I feel like a teenager again with butterflies knotting my stomach to hell. My phone rings just as I’m slipping into my car and I answer it on the first ring. “Hey, Mama. I’m just heading home so I should get there just about the same time you get there.”
“Oh, Amelia. I am so sorry, I’ve had a bit of a hiccup. That’s why I’m calling. I can’t pick up Paisley today.”
“Oh.” Now my stomach takes an even harder turn and this one isn’t good. This means I’ll have to see Tanner. I
haven’t seen him since the day after the wedding when I woke up in a hotel room with him in bed next to me. Thank God my mom had agreed to take over the pick-up and drop offs of Paisley—but I had never thought of the possibility of her not being able to.
“I’m sorry, darling. I got a flat tire on the highway and these men are completely daft. You would think they’ve never seen a flat tire before.” She sighs heavily and I bite back a groan, knowing that she’s most likely speaking her mind right in front of the very men she’s talking about. Some things will never change.
“It’s alright. I’ll just head on over there right now before I go home to get ready for my date. I have plenty of time, and Monroe’s coming over to help me get ready and to spend the night with Miss Paisley.”
“Excuse me, did you just say date? This is news to me. When did this happen? Who is it with? Do I know him? Please tell me it’s Franklin. You shouldn’t have let that young man get away, Amelia. He was a catch.” See? She was still holding out hope.
“Mother, please don’t start. If I was with Franklin, there would be no Paisley. You wouldn’t want that, now would you? I wasn’t happy with him. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Well of course, but,” she lets out a deep breath, clearing her throat, “I’m glad you’re getting out tonight. You deserve it, and of course, if it leads to anything serious we’ll need to meet him to see if he’s good enough for our daughter.”
“Mama, Dan is a very nice guy but I’m a grown girl; I’ll be deciding that. Now, I’ll let you go so you can make sure your tire gets all fixed up and be nice to those boys. They’re trying to do their job and don’t need to deal with bitchy customers all day.”
Southern Sweets (Midnight) Page 4
