My brother grinned. “Maybe your subconscious knew, huh? You can cover me in chocolate later if that’s what does it for you.” He winked.
Mom entered just then with a big bowl of salad, thank goodness. I really couldn’t handle it if my brother kept putting those sorts of images in my head.
She clucked. “When are you going to open your own bakery, Jamie? You know we’d help you get started.”
“I’d personally eat you out of carrot cake every day,” Dad said, patting his soft belly.
Mom shook her head. “On second thought, a bakery might just kill your father. He has a terrible sweet tooth.”
I smiled. “Well, no worries. I’d be no match for Glazed Holes, anyway.”
“Best doughnuts ever,” Gwen agreed with a lusty voice.
My brother snorted. “Yeah, but my ass gets ogled every time I go in there. Miles is a huge flirt.”
“You should be flattered,” I said. “Miles doesn’t ogle just anyone.”
“Yeah?” My brother brightened and turned to his wife. “I’ve still got it, babe.”
“Well, of course you do. You’ve still gotme.”
That led to more kissing. With a wistful sigh, I followed Mom into the kitchen to check on the rest of the meal. We all fell into default roles when we were here.
Ashley always set the table. Nick always did the dishes. And I always helped in the kitchen.
“Sorry I’m so late,” I said as Mom handed me oven mitts and opened the oven door. “The catering business is unpredictable.”
I grabbed the ceramic casserole dish and withdrew the baked ziti with summer squash and chicken. It was bubbling, the cheese on top a nice golden brown.
“Well, I may not be a professional like you, but I can still handle a family dinner.”
“Please, Mom, you’re the best. Where do you think I got my love for baking?”
She smiled, pleased. “That’s why I don’t understand why you don’t want to pursue a bakery.”
I hesitated. “Because it’s not what I really want.”
“But what do you really want?” Mom pressed as I re-entered the dining room to place the casserole dish on a hot pad in the center of the table.
“Youknowwhat I want already.”
“Not this thing with the dog treats again?” she said, sounding baffled. “I thought you decided Granville was too small to make a business like that profitable.”
I shrugged. “That’s why I’m doing it on the side. I’m thinking of launching a website. Maybe with online sales…”
The room went silent, everyone staring at me. My shoulders inched up. “I’m keeping the catering job for now.”
“Don’t you bake your dog treats?” Nick asked.
Gwen had disappeared, probably to wrangle kids and get their hands washed for dinner.
“Yes,” I said slowly.
“So why not open a bakery? You obviously like baking.”
Ashley frowned. “Don’t be a jerk.”
“What?” Nick protested. “I’m just asking. I don’t get it.”
