“We should get Garrett something.” Margot’s voice softened. “He’s a sweetheart for sitting outside with the dogs.”
Wait.Was Garrett there? Taryn’s muscles bunched. She hadn’t expected him to return. Not when she’d told him she never wanted to see him again. Rude, yes, but given how he made her feel about herself… Still, the nerve of him coming tonight sent her blood boiling.
“Garrett loves molasses cookies,” Callie chimed in. “Isn’t that right, Taryn?”
Her hands balled. “Your brother had a cookie earlier. He doesn’t get a second one.”
Callie startled.
Margot’s jaw dropped.
Brandt blew out a breath.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews shared a look.
Taryn’s hands shook, but she didn’t care. Muscle memory allowed her to fill the order, and what common sense remained kept her from holding any baked good too hard. She didn’t glance up.
Instead, she moved like a robot, each motion programmed in and no extra steps. Plates sat on a tray. So did the drinks. She rang up the sale and even remembered to give two dog biscuits shaped like bones to Margot. “For Angus and Sadie.”
“Thanks, dear.” Concern filled Margot’s eyes.
Please don’t ask.Taryn pushed the tray forward on the counter. That was when she noticed Callie was missing. Probably off to warn her brother about the crazy baker who wouldn’t give him a cookie.
She plastered on a smile that was probably more deranged clown than cheerful. “Have a nice evening.”
Thankfully, no one else stepped up to order. Taryn hurried into the kitchen.
“Brecken,” she called to the rising high school senior. “Please take the front.”
He left the loaves of bread he was wrapping. “Sure thing, Boss.”
She headed to her office, plopped into her chair, and buried her face in her hands. “What is wrong with you?”
“I was about to ask you the same question.” Jayden touched her shoulder. “You, okay?”
Yes. No. She had no idea. “I made a fool of myself in front of Callie, Brandt, and their families.”
“Fool isn’t in your vocabulary.”
“It was tonight. And my picture is now being sent to dictionaries everywhere—online or print.”
“It can’t be that bad.”
Heat pooled in Taryn’s cheeks. “I told Callie her brother couldn’t have a cookie.”
Jayden’s jaw jutted forward. “He’s back?”
“That was my reaction.”
“That egotistical lawyer is the only fool.”
Taryn’s pulse rate returned to normal. “Thanks. I’ve never gotten so angry like that.”
“The guy triggered you. It happens.”
“I can’t believe this happened in front of customers, especially Callie and Margot.”
“They’ll understand.”
