Mrs. Arnsby sliced a piece of the freshly frosted cake and eased the wedge onto a clean plate. “I think you should try it.”
Tristan, in true boy fashion, dramatically clutched his throat and made a gagging sound. “I’ll puke.”
“You will not,” Morgan laughed. “It’s delicious.”
He slyly slid the plate toward her. “You can have my piece.”
She grabbed a fork and took a big bite. “Yummy.”
“How about a glass of milk?” Mrs. Arnsby poured a tall glass of cold milk and set it in front of him.
He fidgeted, watching Morgan enjoy her sweet treat. “You like it?”
“I do.” She reached inside her shoulder bag and pulled out a five-dollar bill. “I’ll give you five bucks if you take one bite.”
“Only one?”
“Yep.” She set the five on the counter.
“Okay, but if I throw up, it’s your fault.”
“Deal.”
Mrs. Arnsby sliced a thin sliver, placed it on a dessert plate and set it in front of him.
“Can I eat it with my fingers?”
“Not in my kitchen, young man. We use silverware.” She reached into the silverware drawer and handed him a fork.
As if having second thoughts, Tristan began fidgeting again and scratched his head. “You’re sure it won’t make me sick?”
Morgan held up her three middle fingers and placed her thumb over her pinky. “Scout’s honor.”
He scraped a chunk of the cream cheese frosting off and ate it.
“No cheating.” Morgan gave him a playful nudge. “You have to try the cake to get your five dollars.”
“Okay.” Tristan scooped up a small amount of cake with an equal amount of frosting and ate it. “It doesn’t taste like yucky carrots.”
“Nope.”
He took another bite. “It tastes like dessert.”
“Because it is.”
Tristan promptly polished off the piece and held up his plate. “Can I please have another one?”
Mrs. Arnsby placed another piece on the plate, and Tristan nearly inhaled it, not even taking a breather in between bites.
“This is my new favorite dessert,” he announced.
“You like it even more than my double chocolate chip cookies?”
“I like them the same.” He scraped the last bit of frosting from the plate and licked his fork. “I guess carrots aren’t so bad after all.”
“Not when they’re mixed with lots of sugar.” Morgan dangled the five in the air. “You earned this money fair and square. From here on out we’re calling you the carrot cake kid.”
Chapter 10
