My heart kicks up speed. I love hearing that tone in a customer’s voice.
I bring out another small box of just four cupcakes. “Will Brigit have that friend over today, the one allergic to strawberries?”
“Yes, but don’t worry.” She can’t take her eyes off the fruit kabobs. “I got some alternative snacks.”
Setting down the small carton in front of her, I peel back the lid and show her the four identical cupcakes to the ones I already gave her. But these are for her daughter’s friend. “No strawberries.”
She beams as she inspects the treats. “How did you know?”
“You said she was having a sleepover, so I figured her bestie was coming.”
“Thank you.” She looks almost in tears. “This will make her night.”
As I ring her up, her son pulls up to the curb, and we start securing the treats into her back seat.
“Thank you!” she calls out as they back away.
I wave. “Have fun and see you later!”
Hailey arrives, and we carry trays and boxes of treats to her car parked in the alley. Notifications start pouring in through my phone as the sun comes up and families begin getting excited for the day—tagging me in pics of their decorated patios and spreads of cakes, cookies, and other goodies they bought from me. Hailey takes the last of the Rice Krispies Treats and red, white, and blue macarons, and I smile as I scroll through all the beautiful displays on social media.
Stressful doesn’t even begin to cover all the preparation it took to make those dishes and confections and coordinate pickups and deliveries in a narrow window of time. And I’llbe dealing with it over every major holiday, if I’m lucky.
The potential of Carnival Tower’s extra space makes me breathe easier. More walk-in refrigerators, bigger kitchen, larger dough mixer, more counter space… And the rooftop access! Employees can go out for breaks and fresh air... I could start an herb garden up there.
“Ready!” Hailey shouts from outside.
She starts up her RAV4, and I rush through the kitchen door to go close and lock the front door. Someone steps in from the sidewalk.
“Hi.” I smile, grabbing my bank from the register. “I’m sorry we’re closed to the public for—”
But my last word drifts off as I see him standing there in the darkened doorway, shrouded in shadow. Standing still.
So still.
I hear my pulse in my ears as I take in his familiar form, the outline of his short, sculpted hair, and the crisp fit of his suit. As if it’s not a national holiday for him.
Is it the same suit he wore when he left the phone here?
Is he the one I spoke to on the phone when I was inside the tower?
His frame reminds me of Lucas—his broad, tense stance like armor.
Breathing shallow, I take a step back but halt. I want to know who he is.
Walking around the counter, I inch toward him.
He retreats a foot, and I stop.
An electric current trails up my arms, my neck, and to the top of my scalp. Was he trying to just pop in as a customer and watch me, unnoticed?
Or…
Is he scared? From what I gather from the murder map, these brothers have been living in the shadows for a longtime.
I shoot off toward him, he pivots to the right, and then he’s gone. I rush to the door, but I hear Hailey’s cry. “Quinn! Help! The cupcakes!”
I grab the doorframe, catching myself, and hesitate. I look down the sidewalk, not seeing him.
