“Interesting,” she said. “But you don’t make the pastries for the display?” Her brow furrowed. “Is that odd?”
“Not at all,” I said, feigning casual confidence and hoping she didn’t see through me. “Sometimes I work with pastry doughs, but the desserts I bake are created individually upon request. Each is decadent and intended for leisurely consumption at the end of a meal. The pastries sold from our case are delicious, but most importantly, they’re made in bulk and designed as grab-and-go options. Very different,” I assured.
“Right.” Her expression grew bored as I spoke, and she turned for another look into the empty display. “So they aren’t made here. Do you order them direct from the Invisible Baker?”
“Lucas does,” I said. “He owns the restaurant.”
“Okay, so who makes the deliveries?”
I bit my lip. I’d started using a standard delivery service when Alicia’s son’s schedule and mine made it impossible to keep up. The change seemed genius when I’d thought of it. A different driver picked up from my house every day. Their businesses, like mine, were independent. They didn’t all convene at a certain location to clock in or out, which meant it was unlikely that they discussed their jobs or compared notes on deliveries.
Unfortunately, apps kept records, I realized far too late. Someone like Virginia could easily access the details I wanted to keep hidden. She wouldn’t need a court order to get the information. She was Virginia’s Secrets. She just had to ask the right driver.
Which meant I had to make sure she never knew whom to ask.
But how would I make the deliveries without a service?
She set her hands on her hips, impatient as I mentally imploded. “Should I ask someone else? If you don’t know, that’s fine.”
“I guess I’m not sure,” I said. The one thing I was certain of, however, was that when I finally came clean as the Invisible Baker, I wanted it to be on my terms. Not because I was ousted like a scheming criminal. All concerns about Robert’s probable reaction aside, I owed Lucas a proper explanation and enough time to make him see I hated being deceitful. I’d made a desperate decision, and I would do it again under those circumstances. I wasn’t ready to be seen at that time, and I’d needed to be sure I could trust him.
“Who usually signs for the delivery?” Virginia asked.
I screwed up my features in confusion. “Whoever’s at the desk, I guess.”
“Hmm.” She scanned the dining area. “Where’s Lucas? You said he places the orders?”
Lucas raised a hand from his position at a nearby table.
I’d been so overwhelmed I hadn’t noticed him chatting with patrons. How long had he been within earshot?
Lucas made his way in our direction, a bright toothpaste-commercial smile fixed in place. “Hello, I’m Lucas. How can I help you?”
I puffed out my cheeks, thankful for the escape but unable to walk away.
Lucas coaxed Virginia Bonnie Black into soft giggles within moments, and I rubbed my tired eyes to stop them from rolling.
“Can I get you something to eat while we chat?” he asked, already pulling a menu from the stand. “I’m sorry you missed the pastries, but every dish is fantastic here. I promise. My treat.”
Her lips curved into a quick cat-that-ate-the-canary smile. “How can I say no to a meal with a handsome stranger?”
“No one is a stranger here,” he assured, then motioned her to join him as he led her to a table.
I tagged along, uninvited, and several feet behind. I paused alongside leafy potted plants and decorative brick columns as they made their way deep into the dining room. Then I hid behind the bar when they stopped.
Mason, the bartender, frowned down at me, and I shook my head erratically. He scanned the room, then smirked and nodded without making eye contact again.
I could stay.
Lucas effortlessly turned the conversation with Virginia to his plans for expansion. She gushed over the possibility of a new, upscale riverfront venue. For a moment, I wondered if he knew exactly who Virginia was as well.
Chapter Twenty-One
I gave up my post a few minutes later, satisfied I had nothing to fear, and cut through the kitchen and out the door nearest the front desk.
When I emerged, Camilla and Jeff were chatting with Pam at the welcome stand.
“Oh my goodness, hello!” I called, darting past Pam to hug my daughter and future son-in-law. “What are you guys doing here?”
