Beefcake & Cupcakes

by Fennell, Judi

  She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I can’t say that I like other women wanting you, but it comes with the territory.”

  She hadn’t answered the question—or rather, she had, but not in a way he wanted to hear.

  That was his answer.

  The grand finale of fireworks exploded around them, taking Gage’s good mood with it. What was he doing? He had no business sitting in this field with her, pretending what they had was normal. Sustainable. Forget about what, exactly, it was that he did, they both worked ridiculous hours and that wasn’t about to change in the near future. Connor had at least another eighteen months of surgeries and therapy, and probably a hell of a lot longer for the bills, which meant BeefCake, Inc. was part of who he was for at least that long.

  He’d allowed himself to be distracted by Lara. Excited by the possibility. But Connor had suffered and Missy needed him. His damn thumb hurt from hitting it, and the gazebo could have been done that much sooner if he hadn’t cut out to be with her.

  It wasn’t love. It couldn’t be. Not the kind that would last, especially if it adversely affected the rest of his life. And because he’d lost his focus, something he’d promised himself and Connor as the little guy had fought for his life after the accident he’d never do, it’d be best to end it now and leave them both heart-whole.

  Well, leave her heart-whole. His was a whole other matter.

  Chapter 30

  The next morning, Lara brushed the cloud of flour off her face that’d exploded all over her when she’d dropped the bag on the prep table.

  Figured. Her mind had wandered because she’d barely slept last night. Gage had been too quiet on the walk back to their cars. Not that she been a chatterbox either; that discussion about his job had made her think.

  She didn’t like women fantasizing about him as he got undressed in front of them. He couldn’t fault her for that. If the tables were turned, he’d feel the same way.

  At least, she’d like to think he’d feel the same way, but she didn’t know him well enough—and didn’t know how he felt about her enough—to know if he would. Which was part of the problem

  It came down to whether or not she could trust him. Trust was a big issue after what Jeff had done.

  But Gage isn’t Jeff.

  She knew that. Logically, she did. Emotionally was a whole other story.

  Was she even ready for emotional?

  Last night, she thought maybe she had been before the conversation had gotten weird. She’d sat between his knees with his arms linked in front of her, nuzzling into the kisses he placed on her neck and ear in the darkness between the fireworks, enjoying their perfect day. The perfect date. Everything had been wonderful—so wonderful, she’d let herself imagine what if.

  Her tummy fluttered like it had last night. What if she and Gage were together? What if this wasn’t a passing fling? What if this was the start to forever for them?

  And then he’d brought up his job and the questions had started. The uneasiness. The insecurity. Just like the end of her marriage.

  She’d argued with herself all night—the entire, long, lonely night that she’d lain in her bed without him, wondering what they were doing.

  He had two jobs. A nephew who needed him. She had the bakery. She’d been deluding herself that a relationship could work— just like she’d done during her marriage. Something she’d promised herself she’d never do again.

  Right. She threw back her shoulders and brushed the flour into a trash can. She was independent. Strong. Confident. Made her own decisions. Didn’t let her emotions dictate her actions. She’d just relegate Gage to the “good time” portion of her life and let it go at that. He’d been there when she’d needed someone to help her take that first step—and if his first steps had been to music, ah well, at least she’d learned how to lap dance.

  Her heart stuttered at the memory, but she pushed it aside. She couldn’t allow herself to imagine things that weren’t there. And she couldn’t ignore the issues that were. Gage might be a great guy, a great lover, but the fact of the matter was, it was too soon. Too much. He couldn’t promise her what she needed and it wasn’t fair to ask him to. Worse, it was setting them both up for failure. She’d lived that nightmare once already.

  Coward.

  She could hear Cara’s voice in her head, but had to tune it out. Maybe she was a coward, but with what she’d been through and Gage’s odd behavior last night, she had to protect herself.

  She cut off another chunk of fondant and was about to start rolling it out when a “Hello?” echoed from the reception area.

  Crud. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and headed out there. She didn’t need walk-in clients today.

  “Hello, dear.”

  She especially didn’t need Mrs. Applebaum in all her condescending graciousness. No one could do condescending like this woman. Even Jeff.

  “Mrs. Applebaum.” She stuck her hands in her coat pockets. “What can I do for you?”

  “Is Cara here?”

  “No. It’s her day off.”

  “Ah, good.” Mrs. Applebaum clutched her purse closer. “I wanted to speak with you.”

  “Is this about your son’s graduation party?”

  “It is.” Mrs. Applebaum looked around at the empty reception area. “Is there someplace we could sit to discuss it?”

  Lara grimaced. They hadn’t gotten to setting up the seating area yet. Too bad Gage hadn’t had the chance to touch up the paint and fix the counter—

  No. She couldn’t count on Gage. She wouldn’t allow herself to. “I’ll be right back.”

  She ran into Cara’s office and dragged out the wheeled office chair and the wooden side one a previous tenant had left behind. It was the best she could do in a pinch.

  And pinched was what Mrs. Applebaum’s face became when she saw what Lara had brought her.

  “Sorry about the accommodations. Our, um, reception furniture hasn’t arrived yet.” It wasn’t a lie; they just hadn’t ordered it.

  Of course the woman took a tissue from her purse and wiped the office chair down before she sat in it.

  “Now, dear, as to Phillip’s party.” She pursed her lips. “I’m afraid I won’t be paying what your cousin quoted me. I’m sure you realize it’s highway robbery. You can’t tell me that the cost of cake mix tripled between my last party and my Phillip’s event. That’s simply unconscionable.”

  Lara gritted her teeth. She’d told Cara the price was too high. That Mrs. Applebaum would never go for it.

  But… Mrs. Applebaum had gone for it. Lara had seen the signed contract. Had cashed the deposit check that covered their cost outlay, and she’d done a fair amount of juggling with the schedule to be able to accommodate the woman.

  She squared her shoulders. Confident. Strong. Make her own decisions. Rely on herself.

  “Actually, Mrs. Applebaum, it’s a fair offer. We had to hire extra help, rearrange our other clients’ schedules, and order more supplies at a higher cost.” And you signed the contract. Lara wasn’t going to go there unless it was necessary—and she really hoped it wouldn’t be. She hated these kinds of discussions, but she had to back Cara up.

  “I’m going to have to request my money back, dear.”

  Oh, hell. It was going to be necessary.

  Lara inhaled and straightened her backbone again. “But Mrs. Applebaum, what are you going to do for your son’s party?”

  “Oh, that needn’t concern you. I’ll find another baker.”

  “They’ll charge you the same amount. It’s a last minute job, and quite involved at that.”

  “Nonsense. It’s just a cake.”

  A three-dimensional architectural rendering was not “just a cake.” But Lara couldn’t say that because she was supposed to keep up the illusion that creating her cakes was seamless. If the clients knew too much about the process, how much was involved with the construction, it’d destroy the mystique, and their reputation was built on that mystique.

&
nbsp; “I understand you’re upset. What can we do to rectify this situation?”

  “You’ll have to lower the price.”

  Lara shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. We’ve incurred costs that we’d have to eat, and per our contract, there are no refunds at this stage.”

  Mrs. Applebaum gaped at her. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I regret this as much as you, but I am serious. It’s in the contract you signed.”

  “Well.” She harrumphed. “I never.”

  “But perhaps we can do something else for you. You ordered the cake in the shape of his college. Perhaps I could include an individual cake for you and your husband. A re-creation of his degree, perhaps? After all, you were the ones who guided him through his career, right? Paid for his schooling? It’s only fair that you should have a special memory on this occasion, too.”

  She had enough batter and fondant to make a plain, rectangular cake with a couple of “scroll” ends, and it wouldn’t take her more than an hour or so, so her only cost would be her time. But if it kept Mrs. Applebaum happy and prevented her from canceling her order, it’d be worth it.

  Mrs. Applebaum chewed on her lip as her fingers worked the clasp on her purse. “A cake of our very own… Yes, I do believe my husband would appreciate the acknowledgment of all we’ve sacrificed for Phillip.”

  No, Mrs. Applebaum would appreciate the acknowledgment, which was why Lara had suggested it.

  “Great. So we’re good then?”

  “Yes, well, I guess that will be okay.”

  “Wonderful.” Lara stood up. “I’m glad we could come to an agreement. I’ll see you Sunday at noon with both cakes.”

  Mrs. Applebaum patted her hair as she stood. “Excellent, dear. I’m looking forward to it. And I know Frank will be thrilled.”

  Frank. Uh huh. Mr. Applebaum was one of those beleaguered husbands whose wife ran over him and he’d resigned himself to the tire marks.

  Having dealt with Mrs. Applebaum successfully, Laura could say that, for the first time since her marriage, she wasn’t feeling that same thing.

  ***

  Gage scrubbed a hand through his hair as he walked into his kitchen.

  “You’re here?” Missy turned around from the stove with a pan in her hand. “You haven’t been here for breakfast in a while. Is the world coming to an end?”

  It felt like it.

  Gage swiped the hand over his face. He needed a shave. “Can’t a guy spend a night in his own bed without it making the news?”

  “Any other guy, sure, but you…?” Missy scooped the French toast out of the pan and put it on a plate. “Did something happen with Lara?”

  Other than the fact that he’d realized what he felt for her? And what he couldn’t have? “No. We’ve just been going full throttle and both of us have a lot to do.”

  “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

  He shook his head. He wasn’t going to discuss this with his sister. “No buts.”

  Missy wasn’t buying it. What was it with women? They had a kid and immediately got the Mother’s Third Eye, the one in the back of their head that allowed them to see all?

  “Okay, if you say so.” She set the plate on the table. “If you want French toast you’re going to have to make it yourself. I have to get Connor.”

  “How about I get Connor, and you make the toast?”

  Missy patted his shoulder. “God, you’re easy. Sure, I’ll make you breakfast.”

  Gage headed back to Con’s room. Easy? No, he wasn’t easy. He wanted what he couldn’t have and was a mass of contradictions and responsibilities, none of which he wanted to deal with, but all of which he would.

  Gage sighed as he stood outside Connor’s doorway. His nephew was one responsibility he’d never complain about. At least he could take care of him. If that car that’d hit him had been going any faster…

  Gage shook it off. It was a thought he’d had way too often over the past few months and it never failed to reinforce all he was doing for his sister and her son. Sacrificing his love life was miniscule in comparison.

  “Hey, Con, ready for breakfast?” He pasted a smile on and put on the upbeat face he always wore around his nephew.

  “Gage!” Connor’s face lit up like the fireworks last night.

  Fireworks. Oh, crud. Where had Connor watched them? He’d been so caught up in Lara that he hadn’t even thought about what Connor would be doing. What kind of uncle was he?

  “How are you, bud?”

  “Good now. Look what I can do.” He lifted his left hand in his right. “Watch.” His index finger twitched. “See that? It moved. It’s gonna get better.”

  Gage swallowed the tears that rushed into his throat. God, that one tiny twitch and it gave them all hope. “Has your mom seen it?”

  “Nah, I wanted to show you first, so you can start planning that trip to the amusement park.”

  “I got it covered, Con.” Hell yeah, he did. Orlando, with its many big-name theme parks. Somehow he’d swing it, but Connor deserved the trip of a lifetime.

  “How long do you think until the rest of my hand moves?”

  Gage’s heart broke a little bit more. “Well, if you keep working at your therapy, probably pretty soon. Look how far you’ve come with this.” Four months, three days and twenty-two hours.

  “I think it’s ’cause of all the video games I’ve been playing. You need both hands for those and this hand was feeling left out.”

  It’d been heartbreaking to see Connor try to get the controls to work with his bad hand. Even sadder to see him give up in disgust. Maybe Gage should just get him the COD game he wanted and worry about what the images would do to Connor’s brain after his fingers started working.

  Gage shook his head. Bad idea. Connor was making progress. There was no reason to think he wouldn’t make more.

  “So did you watch the fireworks with Lara last night?”

  Gage did a double take. The kid was a little too astute for seven. “Yeah, I did. She had to work the community picnic.” Which he should have taken Connor to.

  “Mom asked if I wanted to go, but it would’ve been too hot in the chair with the casts.” He looked at his left hand and twitched the finger again. “She’s pretty cool, you know.”

  “Your mom? Yeah, she is. She loves you a lot.”

  “Not her. Lara. The cupcake lady.”

  Everyone with Lara’s cupcakes… “Yeah, she’s a good baker.”

  “You gonna marry her?”

  Good thing he was leaning against the door frame. “Marry her?”

  “You like her, don’t you?”

  Gage shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, but what’s with the twenty questions?”

  “I only asked three. And you’re not answering one of them.”

  “Who are you and what have you done with my video-game loving nephew?”

  Connor crossed his good arm over the paralyzed one. “I think you should marry her.”

  “And why is that?”

  “She’s pretty.”

  True.

  “She’s fun.”

  True.

  “She has great cupcakes.”

  Absolutely true.

  “And you’re in a better mood when she’s around.”

  Something thudded in Gage’s gut. He was in a better mood? Connor was picking up on his moods?

  If so, he’d know he was in a shitty one right now.

  He pulled his hands out of his pockets. He wasn’t going to let the issue of Lara color his time with Connor. He saw him too little as it was. “We’ll see, Con. Right now, I have to get you to the kitchen for your mom’s awesome French toast.”

  Connor arched an eyebrow at him. A chip off his uncle’s block.

  “I’ll think about it, Con, okay? I can’t make any promises, but I will think about it.”

  As if it weren’t the main topic in his brain already.

  Chapter 31

  “Any chance you’r
e going to see Gage today?” Cara stuck her head out of her office to shout at Lara in the kitchen a few days later.

  “I doubt it, why?”

  “I wanted to get these files to Missy. She’s going to take a look at them for me.”

  “I thought she was just working on the contracts?”

  Cara shrugged. “I told you; I’m an accountant, not a legal secretary. I did my best, but it can’t hurt to have her look over them.”

  “You’re giving her busywork.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes you do. You’re giving Missy busy work, stuff we don’t really need done, but she doesn’t know that. You’re giving her the chance to earn money without making her feel as if she’s taking charity.”

  Cara thrust out her chin. “You’re delusional.”

  “Cara Marie Cavallo, I’ve known you your entire life. Don’t think you can pull one over on me. You’re doing a good deed and you didn’t want anyone to know.”

  “You can’t tell her. She has her pride. If she knew—”

  “Your secret is safe with me, Robin Hood.”

  “I’m not stealing from anyone.”

  “But you’re giving to her and that’s really nice of you.”

  “She could use the money, but more importantly, it’s making her feel needed. Necessary.”

  “You don’t have to convince me, Car. As long as you say we can afford it, I’m all for it. It’s really nice of you.”

  Cara mumbled something.

  “What? I couldn’t hear that.”

  There was some more mumbling. “Well, Gage did get me a hotdog.”

  If Lara could laugh, she would. But she hadn’t felt like laughing since the weekend. “You’re right, Car. A hotdog does merit mercy work.”

  “So… you guys looked like you were having fun at the park.” Great. Cara was trying to turn the tables on her.