“Those look good,” Ellis grunted over her shoulder, taking a sip of his coffee before making a face. “What is this?” He wrinkled his nose in what I wasn’t sure was disapproval.
“Rebellion Latte.” Phiny looked unconcerned, but I snorted at the look on his face. “It’s going to be on our book club menu. “There’s cardamom in there with a hint of honey. Do you like it?” She batted her eyelashes in an exaggerated fashion.
“Sure.” He took another cautious sip, and I could see how that pissed her off. “What’s that?” He poked a finger at one of the little pies.
“This one is a mushroom and herbAdventurer Hand Pie,and that,” she pointed at another one, “Is the beef and ale version.”
“Can I have one?” His eyes widened hopefully.
The guy was practically salivating, and he obviously didn’t know my sister well yet, because she loved feeding people or getting them to try her cooking. It was her whole jam. Her toffee-colored eyes watched him as he moved closer into her space, crowding the box of treats. She’d wrapped everything carefully, separating the cake (which was what I was after) from the little pies with a piece of dry wax paper.
“Of course. Take whatever you want. I can get more from across the street.” She practically glowed with pleasure at the idea that he wanted to try her food. It wasn’t that we weren’t good guinea pigs, and we were always flattering, but new customers were like crack to Phiny.
Ellis lifted out one of the little mushroom pies from the box. “You made these?”
“Yep.” She was watching him openly now as he took a bite. I looked away with near embarrassment at what was close to ecstasy on his face.
Yeah, awwkkkward. Diverting my attention away from the scene of Ellis’ orgasmic enjoyment, I sipped my weird drink and went in search of a fork so I could have a few bites of cake before it got gobbled up because it was clear that Ellis was going to eat all my snacks.
When I came back, they had their heads together, talking about herbs and spices as if they were long-lost friends. He was munching happily, licking the crumbs off his fingers, and looking friendlier than he had since we’d been introduced.
“Try the other one,” Phiny encouraged, but it was obvious she didn’t need to because he was already reaching for it. “That one turned out really nice.”
“Still going to shoot her?” I asked innocently.
Sage
Taking my cake, I studiously ignored them and returned to my craft corner to work on more flower pressings for new pieces. They sold well once I mounted and framed them. My shop was eclectic, but it had a cool vibe. During the busy summer months, I had repeat customers who came in specifically for my art.
When I first started selling crafts, it was because Chloe urged me to try it. She thought they were beautiful, but I had considered them a little too homey. When they all sold for twenty bucks each on the very first day, I was stunned.
The shop did well, but business wasn’t always steady. Our town was small, and I relied heavily on the tourist season. The problem was that tourists didn’t buy flowers or plants the way locals did. Budgeting was necessary, of course, but we also hosted a ton of events in town, and word of mouth helped too.
I stocked mini-plants and tiny fairy gardens with moss and small gnomes that people loved. They featured on my social media, and they were always popular. Making flower pressings was inexpensive for me, and they sold quickly. They traveled well fortourists. Way better than plants did, and ultimately, my crafts covered my expenses, and everything else was profit.
Unscrewing the press, I checked on my flowers that were currently drying. The bright orange cosmos in my first press still felt too pliable, so I tightened them back down. The petals were already looking gorgeous, and once I added some feathery sattice or something, they’d look even better.
Taking a bite of cake, I moaned around it. It was delicious, just as I expected. Rich, dark chocolate with coffee frosting.
“You like it? I figured you deserved cake for breakfast this morning.” Phiny quietly slipped up behind me, offering a gentle smile as she leaned against the counter. Usually, Phiny had a pretty good resting bitch face unless she was looking at a Holt or at food. Many people thought she was standoffish, but we all knew that wasn’t true. “It’s good, right?”
“It’s amazing. Coffee in the frosting?”
“Good guess. Espresso. Lila made it for book club night. It’s going to be calledStoker’s Chocolate Stout Cake. I’m guessing it’ll be a big hit. What’s not to like?”
I noticed her eyes slide over to Ellis. Since she’d been home, she hadn’t gone on a single date, and even when we were at the Public House for a ladies’ night of dancing, she only came out on the floor with us. This was the first time her eyes had wandered with any interest. He was good-looking with muscles for days. I could see the appeal, but I’d be surprised if she took the bait.
“So, you have a bodyguard. That’s good. We’re all worried after yesterday and with the flowers.” She swallowed hard. “I shouldn’t have teased you about it before. We should have done something right away. Told Wade.”
“It isn’t your fault. You know that, right?” Phiny’s eyes were glassy and so dark that they almost looked black. She was beautiful—more beautiful than any of the rest of us combined—with her high cheekbones and the caramel notes in her skin. She could have been a model if she wanted, but Delphina Holt had never been interested in any of that. “You and I didn’t know who they were from or anything. Heck, we don’t even know if the flowers are connected to the gas station thing,” I reminded her. “They could not be.”
“Maybe.” She bit her lip, looking uncertain. Delphina was always the one who blew hot or cold. Sometimes she’d be a total hard ass, but underneath every once in a while, you’d find that gooey center. She leaned in close and wrapped me tight in her arms, squeezing me close for a minute up against her taller frame. “I love you, sister.”
“I love you back.”
“Alright. Enough of this. See you.” She dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “Tonight is book club, so you can have more cake. You’re coming right?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”
