Vinnie nods before joining Tate by the display case. I watch them as they stand hand in hand, staring at all the cupcakes.
“He’s a hot one.” Roger leans over and whispers in my ear.
“He’s like twenty years old.”
“They must be descendants of Roman gods. I mean, look at that.” He motions toward Vinnie’s ass as he bends over to talk to Tate.
I smack his chest with the back of my hand. “You need help.”
He shrugs. “I’m going to take out the trash for you, and then I have to run.”
“Where are you going so early?”
“I have a meeting at noon with a new client.”
“Call me later?” I ask.
He leans forward and kisses my cheek. “You’ll be the first to hear how it went. Now go get the kid a cupcake before she slobbers all over the glass.”
I smack him again. For all the love Roger has to give, he’s not much of a kid person. His apartment and clothes are immaculate, and there’s no place for a messy kid in his life. He’d be a great father if he’d let go of some of his obsessive cleaning disorder.
“So.” I walk toward Vinnie and Tate as Roger disappears into the back room. “What looks good?”
“Everything,” Tate whispers with wide eyes.
“These are really something, Tilly.” Vinnie looks up at me over the case. “I can see why she insisted we come here.”
“I like seeing her so happy.”
Kids are resilient. With everything she’s been through, she deserves to have a smile on her face always. A cupcake is the least I can do to make that happen.
“You seem to have that effect on a lot of people in our family,” Vinnie says, knocking the wind out of me.
“What’s that one called?” Tate points to the cupcake covered in chocolate frosting and bits of dried banana.
“That’s the Funky Monkey.”
Tate erupts in laughter.
“You want one?”
“Yes!”
“Make it two,” Vinnie says. “We’ll take them back next door because we’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
Sometimes the quiet in the shop is almost too much for me to bear. I can’t wait for the day I officially open the doors and there’re people bursting at the seams, allowing me to focus less on who’s missing and more on what’s ahead.
“Thanks, Tilly,” Tate says as I hand her a box with two Funky Monkeys. “You’re the best.”
She’s buttering me up, and I’m swallowing it hook, line, and sinker. Tate’s charming, just like the rest of her family. She’s someone I have quickly found myself pulled toward, and I could easily love her as my own.
“Stop over for a drink or some food later,” Vinnie says. “I’m sure my brother would like to see you.”
I nod my head, but I’m not sure about being in Angelo’s presence at this moment. I could fall hard for that man, but am I ready to take that step?
“See you later, Tilly.” Tate holds her box like it contains a treasure.
