“What’s going on?”
Wick grins that mischievous, demonic smile of his. “Meet your new co-worker. Wren.”
“What do you mean, my new co-worker Wren?”
Wick waves a hand towards Wren. “I’ve hired him. Since we’re gonna be working on new flavors for the Summer Festival, I want to have someone on the front end while you and I work on creating our new masterpieces. I thought Wren would be the perfect candidate.”
I bite back an unnecessary for the situation growl and just watch Wren as he does a ridiculous bow.
“Whatare you doing?” I ask.
Wren grins and flourishes a hand. “Bowing to you, oh kitchen lord.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Master baker, then?”
“Certainlynot that either.” My face goes hot and I know my cheeks are red all over even though it’d be hard to see through my beard.
“Sounds too close to masturbator?”
“Exactly.”
“Well,” Wick injects himself back into the conversation. “I’ve been showing Wren the ropes up at the register, and he’s pretty much an expert. I’m quite happy with how he understands our system.”
“How long have you two been here?”
“Not very long,” Wren says. “But it’s a pretty straightforward system.”
I give Wick a glare and nod towards the corner, because weneedto talk. Like right fucking now.
Wick shrugs, and there’s that annoying smirk on his lips. Before he follows me to the corner, he tells Wren to get more familiar with the baked goods we have available, and the prices. Tells him to play with the register because you can’t break it and to learn how to make change with all the different types of money that we take here in Hex. I know it’s a pretty straightforward system. It’s pretty hard to fuck up. I mean,Ican figure it out, so it’s not that hard. And I’m not that smart with numbers unless it has to do with baking.
“So,” Wick starts. “You’re mad.”
“I’m pretty furious.”
“Well, here’s the thing.” Wick waffles around, and his tail wiggles behind him before he grabs the end and holds it. “So, this ismybakery, and you are a genius. But wedoneed someone to watch the front end whilewework on goodies for the festival. I want the festival to go on without a hitch. I need you focused. And if we have someone up front, I think we can have the best treats for the festival. With your mind and my mind together, we’ll be unstoppable. But after the festival, I’d like Wren to stayon. I want to teach him how to do the baking, how to doallof it. I love you, Talon, but you’re not willing to learn the entire shop.”
I open my mouth to say something, but he lifts a hand to stop me.
“And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not angry about it. You’re amazing at what you do, and I want you to keep doing exactly what you’re doing. And expand if you want. You know how I feel about you trying new recipes. I’m here for it, and I want you here. I want to take the burden of the front end away from you for those few days Ethan and I usually leave for. I did this for you.”
“You did this to watch me get red around Wren. You did this for your own entertainment.” My hands fist. Open, close.
Wick’s shoulders drop. “I wish you didn’t feel like that. I genuinely want you to be happy here, but we need more help. And I trust Wren. He’s a good guy. He and the gang have been here from the beginning. And he’s in a bad place right now.”
That has me take notice. “What do you mean, he’s in a bad place?”
“It’s not my place to say. But be nice to him. He could use a little kindness.”
“Well, as long as he doesn’t make fun of me. Or flirt too much.”
Wren drops his hand on my forearm. “I let him know that flirting makes you uncomfortable. If he starts up again, I’ll talk to him again. I think he had to get it out of his system upon seeing you.”
I scratch the back of my neck and look away. “You did that?” For me?
“Yes. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable in your place of work. You’re a friend, Talon. I want you to know that.”
