“Hey, Kitty Kat.” I glare at Koda. She’s practically choking me. “What are you doing?”
“I was taking her to get ice cream. Dad asked me to watch her for a bit. I don’t know what’s going on, but he needs her out of the house. I have an emergency, though, so I just need you to watch her for a few.”
“Are you fucking serious!?” I hiss. “I’m not supposed to.”
“Give me like half an hour, alright? She can’t be there. Just half an hour. I need to take her home at four.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?!”
“I’ll be back to grab her. Promise. Dad will skin me alive if I don’t.” I look up at the clock. My shift is nearly over. “Please. It’s important or I wouldn’t do this.”
There’s some sort of mischief in Koda’s eyes that catches me. What is he up to? “Fine. But you need to meet me at my fucking car by four. I’ll be out of here soon.”
“You got it. Don’t worry.” My sister has folded herself around me, looping her arms around my neck and hugging me so tight she may as well be strangling me. She’s no stranger to swearing or anger, but I hate when it comes from me. Before I can threaten him, he’s out the door and gone.
“Are you mad I’m here?” Katya says softly against my neck with her head lying on my shoulder. She’s squeezing me tight, as if I’m going to let go.
I fucking hate this.
My hand lands on the back of her head as I lower my voice. “No. Hey, no. I’m just wondering what Koda is doing. I love that you’re here.” I remember I have an audience, and turn to Sawyer who’s staring at us. “Um, is it alright if she hangs out for a bit? Koda has something he needs to do.”
Sawyer watches us, then blinks out of his trance. “Yeah. Of course.” Katya scrambles off me, walking over to Sawyer. “Are you the cute baker man who gave Aiden cupcakes?”
“Katya!”
“What! That’s what you said.” She stands on her toes, looking in the glass. “Where’s the dessert? Can I have a cupcake please?”
Sawyer laughs. “I don’t have any in the case right now, but why don’t you come back here, and you can help me.”
“Really? Can I?” she asks me.
My eyes flit to Sawyer’s briefly. It’s unnerving. “Yeah, go ahead, but use your manners and listen to his directions.”
I follow them both behind the counter. Sawyer puts her on a stool to wash her hands, and when she hops off, he hands her a towel then grabs one of his aprons. “Can I put this on you?” She beams, nodding as he fits and folds it to her smaller frame.
“What are we making?”
He smiles, heading over to her. “My mother is from a country called Thailand. Do you know where that is?”
She thinks for a moment. “Asia.” She beams, bouncing a little on the step stool. I stand behind her in case she bounces her way off it.
“That’s right. My mother used to make these Thai tea cream puffs, and I’m trying out one of her recipes.” Sawyer grabs the piping bag and tray of puffs he’s baked. “Can you help me fill them?”
“Don’t you need them perfect?” I ask.
Sawyer waves me away. “These are just test ones. I want to make sure they work out well.”
“Is that the frosting?” She points to the bag.
He nods, stuffing the bag full. “It’s called a diplomat cream. It’s made with Thai tea pastry cream and heavy whipping cream.” He fits the tip onto the end of the bag. “Now, I’m going to show you how it’s done, and then I’ll have you try, okay?”
She nods, watching him intently, and maybe I am too. He gently takes the top of the puff off and carefully pipes filling into the hollow space until it reaches the top. “Now put the top back on. Just like wearing a hat.” Katya, with the most care I’ve ever seen, gently places the top back on. “Are you ready to try?”
She thinks a moment. “You do a few more.” He laughs, nodding and letting her take the tops off before he fills them, then she puts the tops back on. “I want to try.”
“Please.” I remind her.
“Please.”
