“I said you’re not wearing as much blush as usual,” he said. “I hope that’s not because you’re watering yourself down around Rick, for when his family visits.”
“I spent the night at his, you know that. I just didn’t have as much time to get ready.” It was partly the truth. I didn’t want to get into how Rick was making me comfortable into accepting my icepick marks—they knew why I did it, and it was a no-go zone when we were feeling catty and sassing each other.
“Kinda envy how you’re so out there with it,” he whispered, looking at me. “Do you think people look at me and seeplain homosexualor am I givingbisexual mess?”
I burst into laughter. “You know, those would makeexcellent cupcake names.”
“But you didn’t answer me,” he said and gasped. “I’m not givingstraight white manam I?” He popped a hip and flopped his hand. “Answer me. Oh my god, I look straight. Me?”
“Jeez, calm down,” I said through my laughter. I think if anything, he was taking my mind off thinking about Daddy Rick. “You look very gay, all the time, but a messy gay. Leave the bisexuals out of this, they don’t need to be associated with you.”
“If that’s the case, then why am I still single?” he asked, going back over to the counter he was decorating cakes at. “I mean, how hard can it be for a Daddy to justfallinto my lap?” He raised both hands as if someone would fall from the sky. “Any moment now. It’s how you got yours.”
I realized he was looking at the blinking fire alarm, blinking as if it was threatening to scream at us. “Don’t you even dare. I think there’s only like four people at the fire house, and one of them ismine.” I returned to creaming the butter into the sugar. “Plus, I believe you’ll find someone. If you want, we could search the internet.”
He shuddered, grabbing a piping bag and almost making a mess with it. “No, I want to meet someone the old fashion way, the way my parents met.”
“So, you want to date your cousin?” I laughed then ran away, tucking myself near Keaton at the cash register. It was a funny joke, and Toby didn’t get it for a moment, but whenhe did, that hand towel was twirled with a vengeance ready to whip. “I’m joking, I’m joking,” I said in protest. There were no customers, so I could pull Keaton in front of me like a shield.
“That was mean, Cas,” he said. “But funny. You know my parents aren’t cousins.”
Keaton stomped his feet. “Why are you always having fun without me?”
“Oh, says the people who went to the ice rink without me,” I came back.
Now it was two against me. I prayed for a customer to come through those doors. They both came back at me playfully about how I was having my world rocked by the hot fireman—and it was very accurate. It was headspinningly good, but it wasn’t like I’d ever invite them into that part of my life, we did have some boundaries.
Conversation slowly turned to what was going to happen between us, and whether they’d be able to turn my room into their closet soon. It was a new relationship, so I wasn’t rushing into anything, and I would be hereall the time. I wasn’t giving away the entire basis of this business—although I would love to see Keaton manage several different baking timers and batters all at the same time.
“We also saidlove youto each other,” I dropped on them seconds before the door opened and in walked in Daddy Rick alongside two small children—the boy on his back, practically using him as a horsey, and the girl dragging himinside. My entire being stopped functioning in that moment, standing at the counter with Keaton and Toby as they glanced at me.
“I tried calling you,” he said as he reached the counter, letting the boy down.
The kids immediately mushed their faces against the glass, pointing at cupcakes they wanted—the brightest-colored ones.
“Where’s your sister?” I asked.
“I let her go see the town a bit. She kinda sprung this on me,” he said. “But I can see you’re a busy boy, so I’ll let you get back to work.”
I glanced behind me at my counter; I had a lot to do today. “Missed you,” I said. It had only been a few hours, but the yearning was strong inside me. I wanted him so desperately, even more so with how playful he was.
We took a moment down the hallway off from the counter to kiss each other while Keaton helped his niece and nephew pick out their baked goods. I was still so nervous to meet them, but Daddy Rick’s kisses helped my anxieties—and I didn’t need to meet them properly until tonight, which was also sprung on him, as well as me. But I agreed to it. I loved him.
***
We absolutely needed a little tea party get togetherbefore the evening. So, once the bakery was closed for the day, we headed upstairs and jumped into onesies. I prepared juice boxes. Keaton and Tobias had their Sippee cups, while I squeezed my juice right from the box. We had a couple of unsold bakery bits too, but not enough to ruin my appetite.
“I’m so glad we’re not coming,” Keaton giggled, sinking into the beanbag. “I mean, we absolutely could, but—”
Toby was shaking his head. “No, thank you,” he said. “I have a date with Mr. Left.” He held up his left hand and giggled.
“That’s so naughty,” I said.
It felt like we all had one foot in little space and one foot out in the big scary adult world. I was anxious, and I needed to play with my friends to be less anxious.
After about ten minutes, we were all more mellowed out. We had our songs on the speakers, coloring pages on the floor, and all the crayons scattered out amongst the stray teddies. It was heaven. Sometimes we played in the play kitchen, but after being in the bakery all day, I was just happy to be winding down with felt pens, crayons, and glitter gels.
“Do you think I’ll ever find a Daddy?” Toby asked.
