Twice Shy

by Aurora Rey

  “All right, enough of the mushy stuff. Let’s get to work.”

  Amanda chuckled, but didn’t argue. She led the way into the kitchen and poured coffee. A minute later, they sat at the table with matching notebooks, pencils poised. “Okay. You first.”

  “How grand are we talking?” Tanya asked.

  “Not very. I mean, we’re throwing it together in a week.”

  Tanya raised a brow. “We can throw a lot together in a week.”

  Amanda grinned. “Good point.”

  “So, grand?”

  She did love the idea of something big and loud and celebratory, with people spilling out of the bakery onto the sidewalk. Since they couldn’t serve alcohol, the cost wouldn’t be anything more than the product they gave away. And given how long she’d had her hands out of the kitchen, she had an itch to bake up a storm. “Grand.”

  “Where do we start?”

  “Invitations, I think. We should get something up on social media and email our existing client list.” Given the number of wedding cakes and larger orders she did in an average year, it was a big list.

  “Do you want me to,” Tanya paused and made a face, “design something?”

  Tanya had a pretty solid hate-hate relationship with technology. Even though she teased Tanya about it, she did her best not to inflict it on her. “I’ll enlist Julia’s help for that.”

  Tanya’s eyes lit up. “Oh, she’s fantastic at that stuff.”

  She was. Her artistic eye and penchant for detail had made the grand opening of Rustic Refined a smashing success. And since she’d helped with the catering for that event, she had no doubt she could rope Julia in. “How do you feel about starting on the menu?”

  “Now you’re speaking my language.”

  In under an hour, they’d sketched out a full menu. The sweets came easy—a smattering of their most popular items scaled down in size. The savory fare took a bit longer. Amanda had been brainstorming the lunch menu, but she couldn’t get past the feeling she was missing something. Tanya huffed. She shifted in her chair and sighed. And then she rattled off half a dozen ideas Amanda would have paid a chef to come up with.

  “You’ve been holding out on me.”

  Tanya sniffed. “I’ve had too much time on my hands.”

  They settled on three items to be part of the party menu, but she had plans to incorporate them all into the rotating offerings. They spent a few minutes strategizing drinks and setup, then theorized how many people might actually come. With a four-hour window and an open house format, she hoped several hundred would work their way through. That might be wishful thinking since school was starting, but she’d rather over plan than under.

  * * *

  “Close your eyes.” Quinn didn’t expect Amanda to obey, but thought it would be cute. When she did, without hesitation or a word of protest, Quinn’s breath caught in her throat. Did Amanda have any idea the power she held?

  “How long are you going to make me wait?”

  Her tone was playful and her eyes remained closed, but it yanked Quinn back to the moment. “Sorry.”

  Amanda chuckled. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a bit eager.”

  Amanda’s eagerness—about her bakery, when she was trying something new, in bed—was one of Quinn’s absolute favorite things about her. “You have every right to be.”

  She took Amanda’s hands and led her slowly forward. “Okay, I’m going to take you up the new ramp.”

  Even with her eyes closed, Amanda beamed. “I love that you made this happen.”

  “I love that it was important to you.” Enough to take on the expense even though the building was old enough to qualify for an exemption.

  “It will allow for strollers and walkers as much as wheelchairs. It’s a win all around.”

  They moved up the ramp and to the new entrance. They’d been able to salvage both original doors and set them in a single frame to create French doors. Not only did they look great, it would make it easier for customers to come and go at the same time. Of course, Amanda had seen those already.

  She stepped to the side and placed one of Amanda’s hands on the handle. “I’ll let you do the honors.”

  Amanda turned the handle but didn’t immediately open her eyes. She pushed the door open and stepped over the threshold. “Now?”

  “Now.” Quinn smiled and maybe held her breath.

  Amanda gasped, then let out an, “Oh.”

  The cases stood empty and nothing hung on the wall except the massive chalkboard Amanda wanted for the menu. Still, the new counter gleamed and the furniture had been arranged. It looked, not wholly unlike the original, but significantly different.

  Amanda stepped farther inside. Her hands went to her heart, and she turned a slow circle. On the second time around, she stopped so they were face-to-face. “Quinn.”

  “Do you like it?” She didn’t really need to ask. Amanda had been deeply involved in the decisions and had seen much of the work in progress. But for some reason, Quinn needed to hear the words.

  Amanda did another sweep of the space. This time, when she looked back at Quinn, her eyes glistened with tears. “I love it.”

  A strange mix of relief and pride spread through her. Not unheard of when she got to unveil a completed project, but this feeling was unlike anything else. Because it wasn’t the project making her heart beat erratically and her head almost dizzy. This particular feeling had nothing to do with the project and everything to do with the woman standing in front of her. “I love that you love it.”

  Maybe part of her wanted to say I love you, but the timing wasn’t right. That shouldn’t get caught up and potentially confused with the emotional intensity of the day. Soon, though. The thought of it might terrify her, but she wanted—needed—Amanda to know how she felt. And, if she was being honest, she needed to know if Amanda felt the same.

  “It’s so much better than I imagined. Is that silly to say, given I was here only a week ago?”

  “Not at all. There’s nothing like seeing it all put together for the first time.”

  Amanda took a step toward her. “It wouldn’t have happened without you.”

  Despite having a healthy confidence in her work, her instinct was to deflect the compliment. To assure Amanda that the heart of the design came from her own wishes for the bakery. But the truth of the matter was the final design was so perfect because it had come from both of them. And maybe it was overkill to hang too much on that, but she didn’t care. “I could say the same about you. That’s why it’s so great. We did it together.”

  Amanda nodded and smiled, even as a tear made its way down her cheek. “You’re right.”

  Realizing how close she was to spilling her heart at Amanda’s feet, Quinn grabbed her hand. “Come on. I want you to see the rest.”

  She led Amanda behind the counter and through the kitchen. In the new decorating space, Amanda clapped her hands in delight. They finished in the expanded eating area, complete with the hodgepodge of antique tables and the chairs they’d scouted together. “I have no words for how perfect it is.”

  Quinn’s heart felt like it might not stay in the confines of her chest. “I got you a little something. A bakery warming of sorts.”

  Amanda dropped her head to the side. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “But I wanted to.” She went over to where she’d tucked the package behind a table and pulled it out. “It’s nothing fancy.”

  Amanda accepted the gift and gently tore the paper away. “Are these the plans?”

  She didn’t usually frame project plans. It always seemed a bit egotistical. But these, complete with pencil marks and eraser smudges and Amanda’s handwritten notes, felt special. “You don’t have to hang them, but I loved how the design evolved and I thought you’d appreciate remembering the process.”

  “Oh, I’m hanging it all right. I just have to decide whether to put it out here where the customers can enjoy it or in the decorating room so I c
an.”

  Quinn’s heart melted at the statement. “I’m so glad I got to work on this with you. It’s been one of my favorite projects in a long time.”

  “I’m glad, too. But I feel like I should confess something.”

  “What’s that?” She tried to ignore the tiny hitch in her chest.

  “The bakery isn’t my favorite part of this.” Amanda moved her hand back and forth to indicate the two of them.

  “No?” She knew what Amanda meant, but like before, she wanted to hear her say it.

  “No.” Amanda closed the distance between them. “You are my favorite part.”

  She cleared her throat and reminded herself to keep things light. “Well, yeah, but I was afraid saying so would have been unprofessional.”

  Amanda laughed. “I wouldn’t have minded.”

  “Oh, good. Then you are absolutely my favorite part. Well, you, us, this whole thing.” She mimicked Amanda’s gesture.

  “I’m glad we’re in agreement.”

  “Total agreement.”

  Amanda’s mouth came to hers. The kiss started playful but quickly turned into anything but.

  “Are we running that kind of establishment now?” Tanya’s voice cut through the haze of Quinn’s thoughts.

  Amanda took her time pulling away. “If you mean blissfully happy, then yes. That’s exactly the kind of establishment we’re running.”

  She would have expected Amanda to be a bit more of a prude. Maybe she and Tanya were closer friends than she’d realized.

  Amanda offered her a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I forgot I told Tanya to come by.”

  Quinn chuckled. “It’s fine. It’s your bakery after all.”

  Amanda beamed. “It is. And it’s perfect.” She turned to Tanya. “What do you think?”

  Tanya nodded slowly as she looked around, apparently unfazed by walking in on her boss making out with someone. “It’s so perfect. Like a whole new space, but with the same personality.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I was going for.”

  Tanya lifted her chin in Quinn’s direction. “Nice work.”

  She got the feeling that was high praise in Tanya’s book. Even if it wasn’t, it was good enough for her. “I should probably leave you two. I hear there’s a party in a couple of days.”

  Amanda winced. “We’re not going to regret that, right?”

  Tanya shrugged. “When do supplies arrive?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Tanya waved a hand dismissively. “We got this.”

  “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.” Since they’d already been caught making out, Quinn braved giving Amanda a kiss on the cheek before taking her leave. “Anything that doesn’t involve baking, of course.”

  Tanya laughed. Quinn offered them a parting wave and let herself out. She was looking forward to the party, and to the bakery coming back to life. Even if it meant Amanda would be a hell of a lot busier. As fun as it had been to spend so much time together, she was in it for the long haul. And that meant making it work along with both their careers, family obligations, the whole nine yards. It might be weird to admit, but she was looking forward to the realness of that.

  No, it wasn’t weird. It meant she was in love. And the realness managed to be both exhilarating and calming. And maybe just a tiny bit terrifying.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Quinn arrived at the party early, so she headed for the back door of the bakery and let herself in. Music wafted through the kitchen, along with the aromas of chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Her stomach rumbled in a mixture of appreciation and longing.

  Amanda’s back was to her, so she took a moment to appreciate the view. The dress Amanda wore hugged her curves, but then flowed to her knees. The gray fabric, complete with pale pink polka dots, didn’t match the bakery exactly, but complemented it. Quinn couldn’t help but smile at the choice. “You look as beautiful as one of your cakes.”

  Amanda turned. She had a pink Bake My Day apron on over her party dress and a piping bag of frosting in her hand. “Hi.”

  Quinn’s breath caught in her throat. “What can I do? I’m at your disposal.”

  “Um.”

  She pointed at the frosting. “Except that. You do not want to see what happens when frosting and I mix.”

  Amanda gestured with the tip of the bag. “Is it as cute as powdered sugar on your nose?”

  She flashed back to their first meeting, the one where she’d been caught mid-donut. “Well, I might look adorable covered in frosting, but sadly, I’d probably wind up wearing more of it than the cupcakes would.”

  Amanda’s gaze traveled down her body and back up. “There are worse things.”

  Quinn tipped her head. “Noted.”

  “I wouldn’t want to ruin that gorgeous suit you’re wearing, but perhaps we should experiment later.”

  The comment—silly and playful but laced with innuendo—sent a stab of lust through her. It still struck her how immediately and intensely Amanda could have that effect on her. “You should save some frosting.”

  Amanda licked her lips and she seriously considered tossing the pastry bag aside, pushing her up against the table, and kissing her, despite her declared intention of helping. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, Tanya pushed through the swinging door before she had the chance.

  Tanya lifted a chin in her direction. “Aren’t you looking sharp?”

  She gave the hem of the jacket a tug and angled her head toward Amanda. “I can’t look like some two-bit chump next to my date here.”

  Amanda gave her an exasperated look. “I told you you didn’t have to dress up.”

  “Kidding.” She lifted her hands defensively, then turned to Tanya. “Kidding. I’d be playing the part for any opening I had a hand in.”

  “Well, it suits you.” Tanya nodded her approval. “But I’m still going to put you to work. Jack and Erin are setting up drinks and could probably do with a little adult supervision.”

  Amanda looked around the kitchen, then at Quinn. “Do that. Things are under control here.”

  She made to leave the kitchen but stopped. She might not devour Amanda in front of Tanya, but there was no reason she couldn’t give her at least a little kiss. She crossed the space—the space that had nearly doubled in size—and took Amanda’s face between her hands. She planted a very reasonable kiss on her mouth and said, “Holler if you need me.”

  She grinned at Tanya’s low whistle, then headed to the front of the bakery. Despite Tanya’s teasing, Jack and Erin seemed to have everything under control. A coffee and tea station had been set up where the register would normally be and matching glass dispensers of pink lemonade and iced green tea sat on a table off to the side.

  She was about to commend them on their handiwork when the bell hanging from the front door jingled cheerfully. Cal walked in, followed by Daniella and Mel. She got that now familiar mixture of delight and apprehension.

  “Hey, Quinn.” Cal strode right over to her and gave her a hug. “You look like such a grownup.”

  She chuckled. “I kind of am a grownup.”

  He made a face. “Overrated.”

  Daniella offered her a polite nod and Mel extended her hand. “Good to see you.”

  It was entirely possible she was imagining it—her own mild discomfort laced with uncertainty—but she got a strange vibe from Mel. Not challenging, exactly, but something close. Smug, maybe. Like there was a competition Quinn didn’t even know about and Mel had just won it.

  She brushed off the feeling and turned to Cal, who was raving about the new design and asking her a string of questions about how and why she’d come up with this or that. Mel and Daniella put their heads together and whispered to each other. At this point, she was perfectly happy to let them keep to themselves.

  Amanda emerged from the kitchen and a flurry of hugs and compliments and enthusiasm ensued. She took that as her cue to fade into the background, at least for the moment. She joined Erin
and Jack and chatted with them about the bakery and the weather and whether or not Amanda would manage to hold on to some of the more laid-back lifestyle she’d embraced over the last month.

  Julia and Taylor arrived with a bakery warming gift—a photo of Seneca Lake in a frame made with wood salvaged from the renovation. Amanda cried and asked Quinn to hang it in the seating area where a more generic piece of art had been.

  Guests started to arrive in earnest and Quinn slipped into architect mode. She chatted about the project and handed out business cards. She talked up Joss and pointed her out to anyone and everyone who expressed interest in any kind of reno work. As much as she wanted to be at Amanda’s side, she was content to do her own thing and let Amanda shine.

  And shine she did. Every time Quinn had a free moment, she searched the room for Amanda. She talked. She laughed. She positively glowed. And when Mel sidled up to her and whispered something in her ear, Quinn hardly even minded. Because when the party was over, Amanda was going home with her.

  * * *

  “I bought you a gift.” Mel’s face was sly.

  “You did?” Amanda’s mind went to the framed plans she’d ultimately decided to hang in her decorating room, making her smile.

  Mel winked. “I couldn’t let such a big day pass without something.”

  No point telling her the smile was for Quinn. Mel might not give her the flutters anymore, but the fondness remained. Always would, she supposed. “Are you giving it to me now?”

  “That was the plan.”

  If a small part of her was annoyed Mel chose the middle of the party to give it to her, she brushed it aside. That was Mel’s way. “All right.”

  “It’s out front.”

  A warning bell sounded in her brain. “It is?”

  “I arranged to have it delivered.”

  The warning bell grew louder and words like danger flashed through her brain. Whatever it was, it was going to be showy. “You didn’t go overboard, did you?”