by Ashley Quinn
“How are you going to remember that one woman out of all the customers if she comes back to the bakery for a cake pop?” London asked. She met Natalie’s grin and couldn’t help but smile back. That beautiful smile is positively contagious she thought. As soon as I see it, I have to grin too.
“I remember all of my customers,” Natalie replied. “Especially angry ones wearing bath towels, but...”
“Oh, stop it!” London exclaimed as they both fell into giggles. She caught the curious glance that Celia threw at them. “I’ll never live that down.”
“It’s not hard to remember the customers,” Natalie went on. “We’re a small business and people around here appreciate being remembered, even if it’s just for something like their favorite dessert. I make a point to ensure that my customers feel at home.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I just like them all. Even the angry ones in bath towels.”
London felt a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach. Butterflies she realized. That’s a new feeling. “Must be that Southern hospitality I’ve heard so much about.”
“Don’t let what you’ve heard about the South fool you,” Celia chimed in. London was enchanted by her accent, something between Hispanic and Southern with an extra twang.
“All people know is the politics and a few narrow-minded extremists who claim to speak for the whole state...” She waved a hand. “But Texas is a big state and it’s impossible to speak for everyone. Where else can you go from a city steeped with culture like San Antonio and feel as though you’re in a different world from Dallas? Or go to artistic, progressive Austin and feel as though you can’t possibly be in the same state as the urban bustle of Houston?”
“My tia Celia is Texas, born and raised,” Natalie cut in. “She’s very passionate about the South.”
“Si, mija,” Celia continued. She turned her attention to London. “There’s nowhere like Texas in the world. You’re lucky because you have the best tour guide.” She nodded at Natalie knowingly.
London felt her face redden. She peeked at Natalie, who was busy chatting up a new customer at the window. She busied herself with organizing order slips and receipts as the line at the truck grew longer.
Keep yourself busy she warned herself. You’re here to help. You’re not going to be productive if you keep letting your mind wander to... she paused and pictured the hint of sunlight that had danced along the golden-brown tan of her arm just moments before. A tiny diamond pierced through the cartilage of her right ear had sparkled in the waning late afternoon light.... Letting your mind wander to her she finished sternly.
A cell phone rang just as Celia shut the oven door on her cupcakes. She glanced at the phone and then at Natalie. “It’s Jane,” she spoke up. “Mind if I take a breather and get this?”
“Of course not,” Natalie replied as she handed change to the last customer in line. “Tell Tia Jane I said hello.”
The door shut loudly behind Celia. Natalie took a deep breath and leaned back from the ordering window. She twisted her hair around her right hand, lifting it off her neck and tilted her head back. “It’s slowing down.”
London watched her for a long moment and felt a strange affinity for her settle deep into her stomach. Uh-oh she thought. It felt different and deeper than anything she had immediately felt for any other woman. The feeling rapidly turned to want as she studied Natalie’s face, her neck, her arms and the way she leaned back casually.
She watched as a slow smile spread over Natalie’s face, her eyes still closed. “What?”
“What?” London echoed, raising her eyebrow.
“I can feel you staring,” Natalie went on as the smile continued to play at her lips.
“Sorry,” London replied. No, I’m not. She tore her gaze away and set a neat stack of receipts on the counter resolutely.
“Don’t be,” Natalie murmured. She slowly stood and blinked at the sun. “So what made a girl like you come all the way from Chicago to Texas? I get the feeling there’s a story there.”
London sighed and glanced at her nails. After an afternoon on the food truck, her bright red polish was steadily chipping away but she realized she didn’t mind. “You could say that.”
“Let me guess,” Natalie turned and met her gaze. “Don’t tell me you came here for a boyfriend?”
London laughed. “You really aren’t very good at this guessing game,” she teased. “No boyfriend. And no girlfriend either, after she admitted she’d been having an affair with one of my closest friends. They eventually made it official and were good enough to at least wait two months until after my mom passed away.”
I sound bitter London realized with alarm. That’s not how I want her to hear me. She forced a smile and busied herself with organizing a cup of pens and markers.
She felt Natalie watching her for a long moment before continuing. “And your half-sister, she lives here?”
London nodded. “We’re ten years apart. Same dad, different moms. My dad is...”
She felt her voice fade as she recalled Natalie’s words. People like us had to move wherever there was work.
“My dad lives here,” she finished hastily. “And Tiffany too. He’s no longer married to her mom. Tiffany’s been doing a bunch of work overseas, I guess. Volunteering with some different non-profits.”
“You sound like you haven’t spoken to her in a while,” Natalie replied.
“I haven’t,” London admitted. “Her mom was never a big fan of me, being that my dad and mom had me while they were still in college. I was young when they got together and she never liked me very much. I preferred to keep my distance as I got older.”
“So your stepmom kept you from your half-sister?” Natalie asked. “That’s a terrible thing to do to siblings.”
London bit her lip. “A lot of it was me too,” she replied. “I didn’t make time to have a relationship with her. The last time I saw her, she was barely in second grade. Now, poof,” London snapped her fingers. “She’s an adult, driving a Prius and stomping around Southeast Asia with the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.”
“I don’t understand,” Natalie went on. “She’s still your family. Sister, half-sister, it makes no difference. She’s your blood. Family takes care of family, despite the differences. That’s what I was always taught.”
London smiled. “Maybe I’m beginning to realize that,” she replied. “I threw myself into work for a long time and it was only after a good friend encouraged me to let down my walls a bit that I decided to give my dad another chance. And Tiffany, of course.” She took a deep breath. “With everything that had happened, I was losing myself up there. I needed the break.”
London didn’t realize she hadn’t even mentioned the promotion until after the fact. Weird she thought. That actually slipped my mind for the last few hours.
Natalie shot her a smile. “You should do that more.”
“What?” London asked.
“Let down your walls a bit,” she finished softly.
I want to know everything about this girl London thought. “Has anyone broken your heart lately?”
Natalie shook her head. “Not since my ex-girlfriend deserted me once she got bored here,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Typical story, right? She was a cool older girl in a band, she was from L.A. and I fell hopelessly in love with her. We started going down a bad path with a lot of drinking, partying and no real direction in life. After a couple of years, she got bored and moved on. I’ve dated here and there, but nothing serious. My focus has mainly been on the bakery and my family. My aunts, my best friend, her husband, their daughter...We’re all a big family here.”
London nodded as she listened. I want to be part of that she thought. I want a family. For once, I want to not be an outsider. “At least you have people you love,” she replied. “It’s important to have good people around you. I realized that the hard way.”
She could feel Natalie studying her closely again. She looked as though she was about to speak when Ce
lia stepped back into the truck. “Hell, it’s hotter in here than it is out there!” She exclaimed. “Customers winding down?”
Natalie nodded. “The park looks emptier. London and I are going to take a quick walk before we head out.”
Celia waved her hand in acknowledgement as she peered inside the oven to check her cupcakes.
London watched, feeling almost intoxicated with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on, as Natalie grinned and extended her hand. “Come walk with me?”
She grabbed her hand and let Natalie pull her to her feet. They climbed out of the truck and Natalie shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans.
“Where are we going?” London asked. She couldn’t help but notice how Natalie’s jeans hugged her smooth thighs as she fell into stride beside her.
“You said you’ve never been here before,” Natalie replied. “I wanted you to see the park. Not just from the food truck. I want you to experience it. The sounds, the life, all this energy. The music over there and the sun above us. Is there anything like this in Chicago?”
London thought for a moment and shook her head. “No,” she replied honestly.
Natalie sat gently on a wooden bench facing the stage. A child, no older than four, raced around her as his older brother chased him. London stepped around the bench and plopped down next to her. They watched the jazz band for a few moments as London let herself soak up the atmosphere of the park. It was sunny and urban, warm and full of life. Hungry people wandered around the food trucks lining the curb and children screeched from the play area.
The energy is palpable London thought. She glanced at Natalie from the corner of her eye and drank in the sight of her. Her dark eyes were focused on the band and she blinked slowly. It was only when she hugged her knees to her chest that London realized how closely she had sat next to her. Their thighs pressed together and she swallowed hard.
I’m comfortable with her London realized. And now I can’t think of anything else except her thigh against mine and how close she is.
“You’re so different,” London blurted out and blushed. Natalie tilted her head slowly and London was instantly sorry she had interrupted her dreamy reverie. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I meant it in a...good way.”
Natalie smiled. “You’re different too.”
London shook her head. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met,” she went on. “Maybe it sounds strange, but I can’t explain it. Everything just seems so...easy with you.”
---
Natalie was perfectly content to listen to London’s soft, rich voice as afternoon turned to evening. The jazz band played a slower tune and the stillness of the park bench, with activity flurrying around them, made her not want to move.
I could stay in this place forever she thought dreamily. “I don’t like to be complicated,” she replied after a moment. “So I’m not. I know you've been through a lot and you’re only beginning to regroup here, but maybe we could see each other again sometime.”
London sighed. “I’d like that,” she agreed. “You’re welcome to come over this week when you’re not busy with the bakery and...and when I know what to say.”
Natalie stole a sideways glance at London. “All you’d have to do is call and I’d be there.”
That was not supposed to come out of my mouth Natalie thought as she mentally kicked herself. London clearly has her walls up. But I don’t know how else to be. Am I supposed to pretend that I’m not growing more attracted to her by the minute?
Her thoughts collided to a halt as she watched London tear her stare from the grass. She turned and met her eyes. Oh my God, she’s going to kiss me she thought as her heart suddenly pounded double-time. There was so much sizzle in London’s intense gaze but Natalie couldn’t help but recognize one other strong emotion. Fear.
She took a deep breath and let the fantasy of running her hands through London’s hair and pressing her lips to her mouth repeat on a loop in her mind for a moment. She rested her fingertips atop London’s hand gently. Not yet she thought. Don’t rush it.
“I want to see you again,” Natalie finally said. She felt London squeeze her fingertips gently and watched as she grinned.
“You’d better,” London teased, her voice barely above a murmur. Natalie continued to watch as London took in the sights around her. “Thank you,” she continued.
“What for?” Natalie asked.
“For the afternoon and evening,” London replied. “For letting a total stranger jump onto your food truck and help out. And for accepting my apology. You’re so different and I like it. I’m being honest when I say that you're not like anyone I’ve ever met.”
Natalie realized that their fingers were still casually intertwined. She felt the same tender, sensual warmth she’d felt when she had handed the coffee to London. “You said that already,” she replied with a grin. “But I like hearing it. Maybe different is good.”
“I think so,” London agreed.
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “You think so?” She teased.
London laughed as her cheeks flushed. “I know so,” she replied.
Natalie took a deep breath and inhaled London’s sweet perfume. “We should head back to the truck,” she finally said. “I’ll help Celia clean up for the night and we’ll get back to Fort Worth in the next hour or so.”
London nodded as they stood slowly. “You’ll sleep well tonight,” she replied. “Granted, I’m not a seasoned baker like you but if you’re half as tired as I am after working on the truck? You’ll be out the second your head hits the pillow.”
Natalie smiled as they approached the truck. She watched as London opened the door and climbed up the high step in front of her. Her eyes slid down the toned arms that had been revealed after London casually rolled up the sleeves of her t-shirt. Her gaze moved to her strong back and dropped to her tight thighs. Natalie wanted to wrap her arms around her waist, hug her from behind and run her lips over the back of her pale neck, covering it with gentle kisses.
She sighed heavily. London is under my skin and that’s that she thought grimly. One thing is for sure, and that is that I definitely will not sleep well tonight.
CHAPTER 10
A few days later, London turned from the wide dining room window and plopped into a polished wooden chair. She could sense Tiffany watching her over the brim of her coffee mug.
“What gives?” Tiffany asked. “You’ve been nervous since you woke up. Is your hot date with the Mission Bakery girl today?”
London gave her a look. “Her name is Natalie. And it’s not a date. We’re just hanging out. You know, friends.”
Tiffany raised an eyebrow. “Whatever you say,” she replied. “Why don’t you get some grits? They’re, like, a Southern staple.” She nodded to the sleek black oven in the kitchen. “I know, I know. You’re not from the South, but they’re still good. I missed them when I was overseas.”
“I’ve never been much of a breakfast girl,” London answered with a roll of her eyes. “A big coffee and a good workout, and I’m set for the morning.”
Tiffany pursed her lips. “Well, whatever it may be with Natalie, you ought to keep working on that food truck. Put a little meat on those bones. Speaking of, you never explained to me how you ended up at Mission Bakery and working on a truck all evening. Don’t get me wrong, but you don’t seem like the type who’s itching for the chance to spend 95-degree afternoons over a hot oven. I’m sure it had nothing to do with that hot baker.”
“A little manual labor is good for the soul,” London replied defensively. She took a bite of toast from the plate at the center of the table. “All I’ve seen you do since you’ve been here is sleep. I don’t know how someone can possibly sleep as much as you can. I know I’ve been wrapped up in work the last few days, but at least I have a regular sleeping schedule.”
It was Tiffany’s turn to be defensive. “I’ve spent the last year in, like, five different time zones,” she responded. “My body is still
getting used to being here. I’ve been trying to cut the Adderall, but...” she sighed and patted her pocket protectively. “I need it.”
Maybe I should ask Dad about that when he gets back London thought hesitantly. It doesn’t seem right. She’s either wide awake and zipping all over the place or sleeping for fifteen hours at a time. Something tells me there’s something wrong here.
“What are your plans today?” London asked conversationally instead.
Tiffany scraped the last of her grits from her plate and shrugged as she swallowed. “Going out.”
London studied her for a moment. Tiffany refused to meet her eyes. “Wait a second, do you have a date?” She asked incredulously.
“It’s not a date!” Tiffany replied vehemently. “God, everybody wants it to be a date. You, my mother, my friends...I am an independent woman who marches to the beat of her own drum. I don’t need any man to complete me.”
London blinked. “So who’s the guy?”
Tiffany sat back and blew out her breath. “I’m going to lunch with an old school friend,” she replied. “We may have briefly dated in high school, but today is not a date. His name is Wayne Paulson III.”
London wrinkled her nose. “Wait, Wayne Paulson III? As in...?”
Tiffany groaned. “Yes, Wayne Paulson, Jr.’s son. Dad’s best golfing buddy and the most famous plastic surgeon in the metroplex.” She hid her face in her hands morosely.
“I haven’t even been here a full week and I’ve already seen four of his cheesy billboards,” London replied. “That’s not even coming from the fact that I work for an advertising agency. That’s coming just from me being human.”
Tiffany burst into laughter and shook her head. “That family is everything I can’t stand about this area. Rich, entitled, snooty, boring. I know we grew up privileged too, but at least Dad always made sure we were gracious. I don’t know how they can be such good friends, especially when Dad is humble and Mr. Paulson is such a jerk.”