Prologue
Madison
I’m currently stocking the showcase with more cupcakes and pies before we open. I’m in love with my bakery, Madison’s Sweet Treats, and since I’ve opened in Bridgewater Bend, business has been booming. I’ve even had to hire more staff with how busy I’ve been. Though that might have something to do with a certain MC member who is constantly in my bakery driving me insane. If he’s not standing at the counter looking at me, he takes it upon himself to stare down any male who comes into my bakery. He says I’m his, and I tell him he’s crazy. They call him Joker, and I can see why becausehe's the one who’s always telling a joke or driving the woman in his life absolutely nuts. He’s got nothing but mischief in his eyes. But I can also see an underlying deep hurt in them. Something happened to him that still haunts his every waking moment.
He’s insanely gorgeous. I'm saying you need a fan every time he’s around you. Long lashes most girls would kill for, baby blue eyes, and he’s freaking huge all over, standing at 6 foot 5 with short black hair. The cutest dimples pop out when he smiles, but then he opens his mouth, and that’s when you just want to throttle him.
I mean, just last week he was in here with Hailey, and she was trying to see something, and again he put his foot in his mouth.
Asking her if she needed a lift up to see the sweets in the showcase. I practically saw steam coming out of her ears. He’s lucky I pulled her away with a brownie, or the MC would have been down a member.
He asks me out every day, and every day I turn him down. I’ve been hurt too many times in my life to even think of getting with someone.
I drain the last of my coffee, knowing today is going to be another long day. I walk to the front door to see one of my regular customers standing there. Mr. Archer Barlow and his wife, Bree, have been together since they were sixteen and are now in their 80s. They are such a lovely couple.
I open the door wide and let him in. “Good morning, Archer. Is Bree not with you this morning?”
“Good morning, Madison. No, Bree is out getting her hair done. Which is just as well because I need your opinion on something. Our anniversary is coming up, and I wrote her a little poem. If you would be so inclined to help an old man out and tell me what you think.”
I smile big. I swear they are the cuties couple. “Oh, I would love to. Why don't I get your order while you read it to me? I’m sure Bree is going to love it no matter what.”
“Thank you, dear.” I watch as he pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket and slips on his reading glasses as I go about making his coffees and boxing his sweets.
“When you smile, the world’s beauty shines bright, making this day all ours—beautiful and just right. Being with you feels like being with my truest friend, a kind and wonderful spirit that I’ll love forever. In your embrace, all my worries cease. You're my solace, my joy, my endless peace.”
By the time Archer is done, I have tears in my eyes. The love they have for each other is what most people want in their lives. “That is so beautiful, Archer. I love it.”
“What the hell is going on here?” A voice that vibrates through the cafe scares the crap out of both of us, making me jump.
I place my hand on my chest, willing my heart to slow down. “Jesus, Joker, you scared the crap out of us. What are you doing here anyway? I thought I had banned you last week.”
He waves his hand in the air as if the very thought of him being banned from my bakery doesn’t mean anything. “What am I doing here? What is he doing here? And why is he confessing his love to you? A little old for you, isn’t he?” He points a finger at Archer, who just looks amused by the entire thing. “No offense.”
Archer chokes out a laugh. “None taken, young man.”
I place my hands on my hips, getting angrier by the second. I tilt my head to the side, narrowing my eyes at him. “You must have been dropped on your head when you were a child because that would definitely explain a whole lot when it comes to you. Archer wasn’t confessing his love to me, Joker; he was reading a poem he wrote for his wife, Bree, for their wedding anniversary. Not that it’s any of your business, you can’t just come in here and scare my customers like that.Besides, you're banned; you shouldn’t even be here.” Not that he ever listens to that, but I feel I should say it anyway.
His shoulders drop with each word I’m saying. The man is as thick as a post sometimes. A very hot one, but a post all the same. He rubs the back of his neck, looking remorseful. “Oh, please, you ban me at least once a week. I didn’t think you were ever serious.”
I throw my hands up in the air, frustrated. “That’s because you don’t listen to a word I say.” I swear he is the only man to make my blood pressure rise and make my heart race.
“Ahem.” We both turn towards a very amused Archer, whom I'd totally forgotten was even standing there. See what this man does to me?
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Archer. Bree is going to love the poem. It's absolutely perfect.”
“Thank you, Madison, for the help. It’s been entertaining. I can’t wait to tell Bree.” He gathers his coffee and treats. Archer walks out the door, laughing under his breath. Which leaves me alone with Joker.
“You're adorable when you're mad.”
My head shoots up to look at Joker, and my eyes narrow at the smile on his face. “Yeah, well, I’m about to get really adorable.” I deadpan. So not in the mood for this when I’ve only had one coffee.
He gives me his boyish smile that I’m not buying. “See, the thing is.”
I hold my hand up, stopping his tirade that I know is coming. “Nope. Not another word, Joker. It’s way too early, and I’ve only had one coffee. So please just go.”
He looks as if he’s going to say something before he nods his head and walks towards the door. He looks at me over his shoulder. “This isn’t over, Madison.”
Before he walks out the door, I yell his name. “Joker.”
