“I need to fetch the batch of cookies I’ve been baking,” Mabel says, and when she takes off into the kitchen, I watch her go, the pleated skirt of the dress I got her swishing against her thighs.
When I turn back to Sarah, she’s giving me a smug smile. “You like her.”
“Shut up,” I mutter.
“So I was right. You do.”
Why bother to deny it? She’s figured it out already. “Yeah, but it’s complicated.”
“She’s Theo’s sister,” Sarah says thoughtfully, but she doesn’t sound like she’s chiding me, more like she’s just making a basic observation.
“I’m aware. And I’m not going to do anything about it.”
Well, I’m not going to do anything about it again. Not after the basting brush. I’m really, truly stopping this time.
She sighs. “Corbin, that’s not what I was going to say.”
“What were you going to say?”
Sarah checks behind her, then glances toward the door to the kitchen. “That I know you’ll do the right thing.”
My gut churns. Pretty sure it’s too late for that. I’ve been doing the forbidden thing too often and making excuses for my choices.
“Thanks for letting Charlotte spend the day here. Means a lot to me,” I say, shifting gears.
“Of course. I want to see this succeed too. I know it will,” she says, then nods to the display cases. “And I’ll take some of the monkey bread and a half dozen cookies. An assortment.”
“Thanks, Sarah,” I say, grateful to focus on the food order rather than her spot-on assessment.
When the treats are packed, Charlotte folds her apron and tucks it away in a drawer, then reminds me of my schedule for tomorrow.
“Yes, I know I have morning skate, and then a game.”
“See you on Monday after school,” she says, then leaves.
My gut twists once again when Theo enters with his parents a little later. Mabel told me recently about how they aren’t terribly supportive. All my protective instincts kick in. I stand a little taller, move a little closer to her, like I can shield her from something. Their disapproval? Their lack of support? Well, whatever it is, I’m going to look out for her.
And I’m going to do whatever I can to make this go smoothly.
“Welcome to Afternoon Delight. How can I help you?”
And as if I summoned it by wanting to help her, a crowd pours in. That’s good. Since Mabel won’t be able to spend too much time tending to two people who don’t entirely support her with our shopfront full. And it’s good too, because her parents can see how successful this bakery will be.
Her mom scans the display case with skepticism, but maybe some hope? I’m not quite sure.
As Mabel waits on them, her mom says, “Don’t forget the food services option, just in case,” and Mabel answers with only a smile. I wonder what that’s about, but then Theo raps his knuckles on the counter, and I give him my full attention.
He looks around with approval. “Impressive.” Then he nods toward his sister. “And look how happy she is. Fuck Dax. He was wrong.”
Wait, was this all about proving someone wrong?
“Did you encourage me to do this because you were pissed at her ex?”
Theo shrugs in admission. “A little. But I knew you wanted to do it too, and she needed a partner, and it all worked out. And it worked out for me too, because I let the producers of the show know exactly what I thought of them and this store’s success is proving me right. But mostly I want her to be happy, and I think she is.”
Right. That’s true.
I glance at Mabel, and even as she chats with her parents, she seems…enchanted with this place.
