On the way, she passed the construction crew working on Anson’s new place. The small cottage-turned-restaurant had charm, and she imagined if he did it right and put a great chef in place, he’d make a lot of money. Rumor had it everything the annoying man touched turned to gold. His name had been in the newspaper many times over the years to note the successes of a good old local boy. She knew because Riley helpfully pointed out the arrogant ass’s accomplishments with both pride and annoyance. Weird, and a very Riley thing to do. God forbid she simply hate the guy.
“Hey, baby,” one of the workers called and waved. “Nice boots.”
She laughed. She’d worn a short skirt and knee-high leather boots showing a good bit of skin. Having a man compliment her, without sounding crass, put a smile on her face. “Thanks.” She waved. He held his heart and swooned, and a few of his friends leaned out of open windows to shout friendly greetings.
“Get back to work,” she heard Anson bark. “What the hell?” The men disappeared, and then Anson stuck his head out the window. “Should have known.”
“Well, hey there, Anson. How’s it hanging?” she yelled and heard laughter from inside.
“Just great, thanks.” He sounded less than enthused to see her.
“How’s your water leak?”
He frowned. “My what?”
I knew it. Dex, that lying coward.A part of her reveled in the fact that the man had been forced to lie to escape her dastardly clutches, while the other part was pissed she’d missed out on naked Dexter in a chair.
“You know. Dex left last night to help you with that water leak? And something about a small fire?” She tacked that on for fun, baiting the hook.
“Oh, right.” He didn’t so much as blink as he lied. “The leak. We’re good.”
“And the fire?”
“Not a problem. Thanks for asking.” He ducked back inside before she could put his feet to the fire—so to speak.
Now she had a bone to pick with Dex, and she couldn’t wait to make him pay for fibbing. Most women would probably be annoyed, maybe even hurt. Maya wanted to pump her fist in victory. She’d scared him. Big bad Dex Black, scared of a little old artist.
Breezing into Riley’s bakery, she stopped and inhaled with pleasure. The small shop had several tables currently occupied by people munching on cupcakes, tarts and fritters. Maya’s mouth watered. Screw grocery shopping. She planned on making a meal out of something totally not good for her.
“Can I help you?” Dina, the perky teenager behind the counter, asked.
“Yeah, is the cranky perfectionist who practically lives in the back here?”
Dina grinned and yelled over her shoulder, “Riley, someone’s here for you.”
Maya chuckled, especially when Riley came out with flour on her cheek and a harried expression on her face. “Oh. It’s you.” She darted back into her cooking cave, as Maya liked to call it.
More people entered the shop, taking up Dina’s attention while Maya followed Riley into the back. She skirted two other bakers and sought her friend.
Maya leaned back against the one empty counter not covered in confections. “You look like crap.”
“Thanks.” Riley glared at her. “Is it my lucky day or do you actually need something?” She concentrated on some candy toppings for the cupcakes. What looked like little happy faces wearing glasses. Damn, the girl was good.
“That is so cool.” Maya leaned closer and Riley pushed her back with an elbow.
“You’re blocking my light. What do you need?”
“Someone to talk to.” Maya glanced around, then snagged a cupcake. “And a vanilla cupcake.”
“Hey.” Riley frowned.
“Oh relax, tight ass. Put it on my tab.”
“Don’t think I won’t,” Riley grumbled. “Can you believe this? My best customer forgets the cake for her kid’s birthday, so I have to make twenty cupcakes in like fifteen minutes. What the hell?”
“But she’s your best customer,” Maya said for her. “And you don’t want to piss her off.”
“No.” Riley sighed and wiped her forehead with the short sleeve of her pink tee-shirt.
