by Piper Rayne
“But, Dane, you know this isn’t going to end well, right?” Charlie leans forward, her steaming mug of coffee cupped between her hands.
“We’ve agreed to the terms together, and I’ve been monogamous for the first time in my life.”
“That’s why I don’t understand why the two of you continue to play this game. You might as well just date. The fact she got you to be monogamous says a lot, don’t you think?”
“Exactly what does it say?” I notice the SUV parked outside, so I stand from the stool.
“That maybe she’s the one for you.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Charlie, drink some more coffee. You’re not thinking clearly yet.”
Walking over to the door, I see the man opening his passenger door, where a woman with dark hair steps out. She’s in a pair of shorts and a blouse, and I’d put her around the same age as me.
I step outside onto the sidewalk and approach the vehicle. “Cole Webber?” I ask with my hand extended.
The woman opens the back door and the familiar sound of kids flows out of the high-priced SUV.
“Dane Murray. Pleasure to meet you.” He shakes my hand and glances to who I assume is his wife. “Please excuse us, we made it an impromptu family trip.”
“Climax Cove is a great place for families,” I say.
“Yeah, my wife already has her eye on the bakery over there.”
I laugh, watching his wife unbuckle one kid out of the car seat and then the other one jumps out right after.
“The Mad Batter makes some delicious treats.”
“Not that these kids need more sugar, but it will keep them busy for awhile while we talk business.”
“You said no work,” the oldest girl, whines.
Cole ruffles her dark hair. “Relax, pumpkin.”
Cole and his wife share a look of complete exhaustion. I’ve been there plenty.
“Dane, this is my wife, Whitney, and my girls, Veronica and Zoe.”
I hold my hand out to his wife. “Nice to meet you.”
“You as well. We have friends that come here often. They always speak so highly of the place. Actually, do you know who Marcus Kent is?” she asks.
“What on Earth do you want with Marcus Kent?”
She laughs and the smallest daughter jumps up in front of Cole until he takes her in his arms. Almost immediately she starts playing with the light scruff on his face.
“He’s dating my good friend’s sister and I kind of want to meet him.”
“Whit, we’ve been over this. I’m sure he’s a fine guy. Cat wouldn’t be with a douchebag.” Cole’s gaze veers to me. “He’s not a douche, right?”
“I’m bias, he’s one of my best friends. We love Cat by the way. The Mad Batter over there is her roommate.” I nod across the street to the bakery and Whitney turns her head.
“Perfect, that’s all I really need then. But I want to meet him before we leave.”
“Well, we’re leaving in three days, so you have plenty of time to stalk the poor guy.” Cole hands over the little one to his wife. “Just let me get work out of the way first.”
She smiles, taking the little girl from him. She settles her on her hip and grabs the older one’s hand.
“I’m exploring, call me when you’re done. It was great to meet you, Dane, and I can say in all honesty that if you don’t take on Rock Hard Whiskey you’re a fool of a business man.”
“Whit!” Cole says in a way that tells me this isn’t the first time she’s said something like that.
I chuckle.
“Relax, babe. He seems like a guy who knows a joke when he hears one.”
I nod, smiling at their banter. Judging by the older daughter, they’ve been together for awhile and it’s clear they’re very happy together.
He wraps his arm around her waist and pulls his wife close, kissing her cheek. “Love you.”
Her face blushes and she doesn’t push him away nor does she try to escape his hold. She nuzzles closer if anything and the little girl presses her hand to her daddy’s cheek.
“Love you.” Then her eyes find mine. “Nice to meet you.”
A feeling, something like a hollow abyss develops in my chest watching the two together.
“You, too,” I say after her.
After Whitney walks her two girls across the street and I’m thankful that Ava will have a new customer today, Cole opens the back of his SUV.
“I swear when I bring them with me, it’s a hassle, but it’s nice not to sleep without them at night, you know?”
I dodge his question and grab a box of bottles from him. “Need a hand?”
We walk into the bar, sit down at a table, and move on from a topic that I seem to have a harder time brushing off these days.
An hour later, I have a new whiskey distributor, and I’m stocking a few bottles with Charlie behind the bar.
“Would you and your family like to have lunch out on the terrace?” I ask Cole, who’s busy texting.
He looks up. “Come to think of it, we should probably feed the kids before we bypass their happy hour and all hell breaks loose.” His fingers move on the screen again, a smile present the entire time he’s texting.
“Yeah, my son has about fifteen minutes past normal feeding times before the crankiness erupts and we’re both screaming.” I grab a few menus and nod out to the patio that overlooks the marina.
We both head out there, and I lead him to a table that looks out over the water.
“It’s beautiful here,” Cole says as he takes a seat.
“Yeah and if your wife really does want to hassle Marcus Kent, he’s over there.” I point to my friend’s workshop a little farther down the shoreline where he restores boats.
“Whit’s just acting like an overprotective sister. She’s been friends with Cat’s older sister since they were young, and I think she looks at Cat like she’s her own sister in a way.” It’s funny to me that he’s making excuses for his wife. “Add on the fact she’s an investigative reporter and you can be rest assured your buddy isn’t hiding anything because she would have already found it.”
I chuckle for a second thinking of all the grief Whitney’s gonna give Marcus. “So, you know Cat’s entire family?” I sit down to keep him company until his family arrives.
“Tahlia, Cat’s sister and her husband, Lucas we’re close with. I don’t have a ton of contact with their parents unless there’s a party or wedding. But I will say one thing, Marcus held his own when it came to Bill, Cat’s dad.” He shakes his head. “Hard sell.”
We share an understanding nod. Bill Santora was Marcus’ client for years and played a huge part in the success of his business. Luckily, when Marcus went down to San Francisco without Cat to talk to him about it, he trusted Marcus enough to let their relationship run its course without interfering.
“He’s got balls not many have,” I say. “It’s probably because he’s such a control freak—better to go in prepared than be taken by surprise.”
Cole laughs and nods. “Glad to see it worked out for everyone.”
I catch sight of Whitney and the two girls being escorted out to the patio by Charlie, so I stand, holding the chair out for the first lady who wants to take the spot.
Charlie positions a highchair next to the table and Whitney places the little one in, then the older girl hops up on the chair I’ve pulled out.
Noticing a Mad Batter bag in Whitney’s hand, I smile. “Did you enjoy what our Mad Batter has to offer?”
I sure as hell have been.
She giggles, as Cole’s eyes widen at the size of the bag. “The Alice in Wonderland theme is so cute. We’ll have to pop in again so I can show you.” She directs her gaze to Cole.
“I’m afraid we’ll go bankrupt if I take you in there again,” Cole jokes, shaking his head.
“Please.” She rolls her eyes. “Ava, the owner, is so sweet. We talked about Cat and what she’s been doing here. Then Ava called her so we’re going to have dinner with her and M
arcus one night before we leave.”
Cole’s eyes narrow slightly as he studies his wife. “Please tell me you won’t be drilling him with questions the entire time?” He shoots his thumb my way. “Dane is Marcus’ best friend.”
Whitney sits up straighter, her eyes lighting up like she just spotted the Hope Diamond at Tiffany’s.
“Really? Tell me everything.” She shifts her weight to the edge of her chair.
I place my hands up in the air. “Nope, not getting involved. I’ll leave you all to lunch.” I hold my hand out to Cole. “It was a pleasure meeting with you.”
He accepts my hand and stands. “Thank you and I promise Rock Hard Whiskey will take care of all your needs.”
“Well not all of them,” Whitney says and Cole shakes his head with a chuckle.
“Love bringing the family with me to business meetings,” the sarcasm in his tone isn’t missed.
I turn my attention to Whitney who’s now shooting her husband a look. “Pleasure meeting you as well. Come down to Climax Cove during Christmas. It’s beautiful.”
“I’m thinking about planning a friends trip to come up here for the holidays. Seems like a great town,” she says.
“I can’t say enough good things about it. Lunch is on the house so enjoy yourselves.” I nod and wave goodbye before walking back inside where I find Charlie pouring herself a shot of whiskey. “What are you doing?”
“Trying the new stuff.” She downs a shot. “Smooth. I like it.” Circling the bottle, she inspects the label. “That guy makes this whiskey?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah, he started about eight or so years ago I guess. It’s a pretty well-known brand. I mean, I’ve heard of it before, but I guess he’s kind of selective about where it’s served.”
“He picked Climax Cove?” She crunches her eyebrows.
My guess is Rock Hard Whiskey is primarily in the urban high-end restaurants.
“I’m not arguing, he’s a helluva lot easier to deal with than my last guy. Plus, they kind of know Cat, and it’s nice to keep it all friendly.”
“Hopefully not as friendly as you are with your dessert supplier.” She laughs, already running down the hall to get away from me.
My gaze veers over to the bakery, wondering what she’s doing right now.
21
Ava
The three butter pecan cakes are arranged on the counter in the kitchen, looking too good to eat, each placed on pedestals of different heights.
“I cannot wait until they cut that,” Charlie says next to me.
She’s wearing a cute dress matched with leggings and ankle boots. Fancier than the usual t-shirt and jeans or shorts I see her in at Happy Daze.
“You don’t have to work tonight?” I ask.
“Oh, don’t worry. Your man will be there, too. He actually trusted Chad to close up tonight.” She hip checks me.
“I wasn’t asking because of that,” I mumble.
She shoots me a look that says, ‘we both know you were.’
I stop admiring my cakes so I can spread the hors d’oeuvres Cat and Marcus have out on the table.
“What’s the party for again?” Charlie asks me, grabbing a pastry puff.
“Cat’s found her mojo.” I peruse everything on the table, but for some reason, I haven’t been able to eat much of anything today.
“So, every night I double my tips, I should throw a party?” she laughs. “Ow!” she screeches.
I turn to find Cat behind her, pinching her arm. “Don’t make fun of me. I was in a slump for weeks.”
“I was joking,” Charlie huffs out.
All three of us know she wasn’t.
“Thanks again, Ava. The cakes look delicious.” Cat peers past Charlie to me, and then takes a sip of her wine.
“You’re welcome.”
“We really want to pay you,” Cat says and no sooner does Marcus approach, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket.
“No,” I hold my hand up. “Friends don’t pay.”
“Yes, they do.” Dane’s voice brings tingles throughout my body.
Had I been waiting for him to show up? Probably.
He situates himself between Marcus and me, his forearm brushing against mine, scorching my skin.
“Is Dane your manager now?” Marcus jokes.
I look up and Dane winks. “I will be if she doesn’t start charging people. Babe,” he says and I swear every conversation in a two feet perimeter stops. “You have to take money to stay in business.”
He doesn’t even notice that he referred to me with an endearment in front of everyone.
“I’m with Dane,” Marcus grabs sixty dollars and throws it on the counter in front of me.
“It’s flour and sugar, Marcus.” I push the money back to him.
“And your time.” Dane’s hand covers mine, stopping me. My stomach roars with a million butterflies escaping their cocoons.
“He’s right, Ava, your time has to be factored in,” Cat says.
I stare down at the money and I think about rent and utilities. I’ve wondered lately if I’ll still be able to import that chocolate everyone loves if business doesn’t pick up.
“How about I give you a discount?” I slide a twenty out, leaving the other forty on the table.
Marcus doesn’t go for it and we all stand there for a moment in silence until Dane grabs it and shoves it down my shirt into my bra.
“You did not just do that,” I say, my face heating.
Charlie starts laughing next to me, Marcus is shaking his head, and Cat’s pressing her lips together trying not to laugh.
“This way you have to keep it.” Dane shrugs, taking a puff pastry and popping it into his mouth. “These are so good,” he mumbles over his mouthful of food. “Who made them?”
If my body wasn’t trying to cool down from the feel of his hand so close to my nipple, I’d grab him by his ear and escort him outside. Lucky for me, it was only the five of us here and since it seems everyone knows that we’re screwing each other, it’s not as major of a deal that he felt me up in front of them. I can only hope that everyone around us had already lost interest in us and gone back to their own conversations.
“Miss Ava!” Toby screams next to me, his feet sliding to a stop. Lily almost runs into his back.
“Hey, Toby.” I squat down, forgetting about Dane and how I need to lecture him about how social etiquette dictates that he doesn’t feel me up in front of other people. Especially when we’re trying to keep this on the DL.
“We made the championship!” he screams.
I hold my arms out and he comes into them, letting me hug him. “Congratulations! I’m so proud of you.”
I catch Dane staring at our exchange.
“Yeah, buddy, way to go,” Charlie chimes in, stepping up beside me, ruffling his hair.
When we separate, he looks over to his dad and then back to me. “Will you come to the game?”
“Of course. When is it?” I ask, setting my wine down on the counter.
“It’s next Saturday.”
I hold my hand up for a high-five. “I’m there.”
He smacks it. “Yay!” He runs off screaming with Lily two steps behind.
“That’s great, man, you didn’t say anything.” Marcus’ hand cups his friend’s shoulder.
Dane shrugs. “We just found out this afternoon. It’s fall ball, but this is a great confidence builder for us next spring.”
Dane’s eyes volley between me and Marcus.
“You should be proud, too, coach.” I knock him with my shoulder and his arm swings around, holding me to him as his heated stare makes me melt like ice cream doused in hot fudge.
The doorbell rings and I step back from him. What are we doing showing affection in public?
Marcus disappears only to return a minute later with Garrett and his daughter Sydney right behind him.
“Hey, big daddy.” Dane holds out his hand.
Garrett shakes it, his eyes rol
ling to the back of his head.
“Hey, Sydney.” Dane puts his arms around her in a big bear hug, lifting her feet off the ground.
“Hey, Uncle Dane.” No emotion in her tone. Nothing that makes her seem excited to be here much less see Dane.
“Don’t be a dud, Syd. I get it. You have better things to do than hang around us old people, but cut us some slack, okay?” Dane’s overly dramatic with his hands and eye rolls.
“Where’s Toby and Lily?” she asks.
“There you go. They could probably use some supervision.” Dane pats her on the back.
“I think they’re in the basement,” Marcus tells her while wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “Thanks for coming.”
“Hey, Uncle Marcus,” her tone exactly the same as with Dane. “You’re welcome.”
Her phone is out of her back pocket in her hands as she walks out of the room.
“Old people?” Cat asks and cocks a hip to the side.
“You are the old people.” I point to the three men. “We’re young and vivacious and energetic and—”
“Living in Climax Cove. Population nine hundred and forty-three, six hundred and fifty of those being older than sixty-five,” Dane interrupts, hijacking the conversation.
“Then I think I’ll take my cupcake business somewhere else.” I stare directly at Dane. A threat he’ll not like because the man goes crazy for my cupcakes. And I do mean my cupcakes, not my cupcakes.
“Let’s not get carried away, okay? I get that you’re young-er. I’m sure Marcus enjoys how limber Cat is.”
Marcus hand slaps Dane’s chest and he weaves through us to reach Cat’s side, promptly putting his arm around her waist and pulling her into him.
“Don’t talk about how limber my girlfriend is, dick.”
“Definitely crossing the line, man,” Garrett mumbles over his carrot stick with dip.
I glance to Charlie who’s been quiet ever since Garrett walked in and I find her face a flushed pink, eyes glued to Garrett.
“Hey,” I elbow her in the ribs, which snaps her out of the daze she’s in. “Let’s go outside for some air.”
“Why am I not invited?” Dane whines like a four-year-old. He looks at Garrett. “We’re not cool I guess.”
