“So if that isn’t the reason why you’re calling,” Calder clears his throat, “what is?”
“Right, yeah…” Knowing that he’s been working all night to try to fix my mess, I feel like an even bigger asshole for ringing. “I was actually calling because I thought you may be able to give me some advice.”
“Advice?” He sounds intrigued. “What can I help you with?”
“Delilah’s at our place right now, which I’m sure Kady already told you. She’s safe, and well…” I search for the best way to phrase this. “She had a heat spike, and I?—”
“A heat spike?” I hear Kady shriek, making it clear that I’m on speakerphone. “Give that to me!” A few seconds later, Kady’s shrill tone almost deafens me, rattling around the car. “JaggerKnight! If you’ve taken advantage of my friend while she’s vulnerable, I’ll come down there and?—”
“Of course not!” I interrupt her. “I’d never do that. Nash and Tae are with her now. I’ve…” I swallow hard. “Kept my distance.”
She mumbles something that sounds like, “Good riddance.”
“I’m just heading out to buy her some food for when she wakes up. I wanted to make sure I get things she likes,” I say. “I don’t have many people to ask, so I thought Calder—uh, or you—may have some advice about what to get her.”
“Oh.” Kady’s tone seems to change. “That’s very… thoughtful of you.” There’s a long pause while I wait for her to say more. Apparently, I’ve made the TVV co-editor speechless for a change. “Springflour Bakery in Forestville makes an amazing key lime pie that she’s obsessed with. Their ginger cookies would be great too. Although they won’t be open right now, so you may have to make do with whatever you can grab at the store. She also likes green smoothies, and you can put in…”
I make mental notes as Kady rattles off ingredients for the smoothie. I’ve already let Delilah down enough—the least I can do is pay special attention to the difference between spirulina and wheatgrass.
“Thank you,” I sigh. “For your advice and for everything you’re doing with the press.”
“Don’t thank us. We’re not doing it for you,” she retorts flatly. “Delilah’s already had a hard enough time since meeting you. She doesn’t need a media circus to go alongside it, providing her with a constant reminder when you decide to disappear again.”
Before I can rebut, she hangs up on me. I get why Delilah’s friends are angry at me and love how protective they are over her, but it only makes me realize how far I’ve got to go to make amends. It’s not just Delilah I have to prove myself to.
I pull away from the house, deciding I’ll wait around for the bakery to open if I have to. There’s no way she’s going without her key lime pie if I have anything to do with it.
When I park about ten minutes later, I put on a pair of sunglasses to make some effort to hide my identity. The Forestville streets are pretty empty this time of night, aside from a few people who appear to be heading home from the bars. As Kady suspected, Springflour Bakery looks to have closed shop for the day, but I stop to check to see what time they open.
On the way, I walk behind a group of people, chatting animatedly about what took place at the SVU concert, pondering over what happened to make Jagger Knight leave… and the mystery girl he supposedly chased after.
I stop for a few moments, waiting for them to turn the corner before continuing onto the bakery. When I reach it, I see a light on in the back and a baker busy kneading dough through the steamed windows. I knock on the door, keeping my head down.
The baker glances up in my direction then points at the sign to indicate it’s closed. I sigh and remove my glasses. Even though she’s a lady in her fifties—outside the usual age range of my fans—she must recognize me as she immediately stops working, clapping her flour-covered hands together to create a white cloud before bustling over to the door.
“Jagger Knight?” She gasps. “What are you?—”
“I was hoping to buy some baked goods.” I flash her my rockstar smile. “I know you may not have them, but I have a list…” I show her my cell phone with all the items I made note of.
“Heavens!” She takes it from me to scan it. “You’re in luck. I should have almost everything ready, and a batch of cookies is just about to go in the oven. Come on in.”
The moment I step inside, I’m swallowed up by the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread and cakes. Therhythmic hum of an industrial mixer whirs in the background as the kind lady ushers me back into the kitchen.
“I’m Dora.” She has a slight limp when she walks. “I’ve owned this place for most of my life. If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll serve you up some of my special pie, and the soft ginger cookies won’t be long.”
I stand awkwardly near the colossal ovens, peering inside to see rows of golden croissants baking. They look perfect with their flaked almonds and sugared tops.
She pushes a stool across the floor. “Go on, sit down.”
She has a friendly voice, the kind of person who instantly makes you feel at home. “I can’t say I’ve ever had a celebrity in my shop before. My granddaughter will be tickled pink to hear you were here.” She busies herself by grabbing boxes and piling goods inside for me. She holds up an entire key lime pie. “Will one be enough?”
“More than.” I smile meekly. “Thanks for doing this. I didn’t want to cause you any trouble.”
“No trouble!” She waves her hand. “So why are you needing late-night snacks?” Her eyes twinkle knowingly behind her glasses, and the smile lines around her mouth deepen. “Is there a lucky lady in your life?”
“I guess.” I play with the fraying sleeve of my hoodie. “Although she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“How could anyone not want anything to do with a sweet boy who is doing all of this for her?” she clucks, selecting the biggest cheese and rosemary biscuit. “I’m sure she cares about you a great deal.”
