Cakewalk: A Calhoon Small Town Romantic Comedy

by Ivy Summers

  He crossed his arms. “You know it’s not about the cake.”

  “Yeah, obviously.”

  “Then we need to get to the heart of the matter.”

  “Which is?”

  Griffin shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never talked to her. But that’s what I’m fixing to do right now, if you’ll allow me.”

  I stared down at my feet. I didn’t have much to lose if she and I weren’t friends anymore anyway, but then again, did I want to reopen that wound?

  Griffin added, “There has to be more to it than her being mad that you left.”

  “Why? Why can’t it be that simple?”

  “You’d be surprised how people say they want one thing, when they really want something else entirely. I’ve been in enough negotiations to know that the first figure they give you? It’s beside the point. There’s always something else you can offer, a more pressing human need than money. Or in this case, a friend staying nearby. That’s what she claims she wanted out of you, but I suspect it’s something else. More often than not, they want recognition and understanding more than anything.”

  Oh, boy. Well, if he wanted to play mediator, he could be my guest. I supposed things could only improve from here, after I had written off any sort of friendship with Madison ages ago.

  “All right,” I said, motioning that he go ahead of me. “Let’s see a master negotiator at work.”

  “Well, now, I didn’t say I was a master. But this is a thread I want to pull.”

  In my experience with thread-pulling, all it ever resulted in was frayed fabric. Ugh. I repeated to myself: Nothing left to lose, right?

  We stepped into Madison’s boutique, the little shop looking like it came right out of an Instagram post, filters and all. Somehow the lighting was just right, the clothes and various accessories all looking like they’d match no matter how you mixed them. The clothing styles ranged from a casual hippy look to spiffy outfits that’d be respectable in any professional environment.

  Madison came out from the back room, a box of perfumes in her arms. “Welco—oh. Jade.”

  Griffin maneuvered into her line of sight, and her expression softened a little upon seeing him. I mean, why not? He was sexy and suave. The type of guy she’d definitely go for.

  Oh, God. Don’t let this be another reason for her to hate me.

  “Madison, right?” Griffin started. “Jade was just telling me about how you’ve been building up a following since middle school and pivoted that into your own line of clothing and accessories. Bootstrapped it from the ground up, all by yourself. It’s very impressive.”

  I definitely hadn’t told him that, so he must’ve done his research ahead of time. I appreciated what he was trying to do, though.

  Madison glanced around his shoulder, looked at me curiously, like she was surprised I had talked her up despite our tension. And maybe I should have, but I had been too caught up in our drama.

  “Yes,” Madison started, looking back up at Griffin with almost starry eyes. “I started out reviewing fashion, then found my grandmother’s old sewing machine and started making my own. It expanded from there.”

  “You must be entirely self-taught, then?”

  “Yes, my parents never had the money for lessons, or college, for that matter. So I learned everything from online resources, and some of the old books and sewing patterns my grandmother left for me.”

  Griffin glanced back at me. “I love it. That must be why your clothes have such a unique look.”

  Madison nodded proudly.

  Griffin asked me, “What do you think?”

  I didn’t have to lie or talk her clothes up. I always loved them. “I totally agree. There’s something old-fashioned to the style, but in a good way, you know? It’s not disposable, or cheap.”

  “You’re thinking fast fashion,” Madison said, and I was surprised we were having a conversation. “Most clothing only gets worn seven times before it ends up in a landfill. Partly because fashion changes so quickly, and partly because the quality just doesn’t hold up.”

  I took a blouse off a rack and ran my hand along the soft fabric. “Yeah, I can see this looking good and lasting for years to come.”

  Madison glanced away, taking the compliment even though it seemed like she wanted to stay angry with me. “Thank you. I’m glad you think so.”

  “I wish I could have gone to the grand opening,” I said, walking up to her. “But with the cake disaster and everything…”

  “It’s fine. I know I haven’t been very welcoming since you came back to town.”

  Griffin stepped in again. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why did you decide to establish your boutique in Calhoon? I can see this place doing well in any city.”

  Madison paused what she was doing, turning to face him. “It’s simple. I don’t want to give up on this town.”

  “It must be difficult, though, with so little foot traffic.”

  “It is. Honestly, most of my sales are online. But I feel like I can justify this shop as a showroom of sorts. And maybe, with time…”

  “Right.” Griffin glanced at me, then back at her. “I keep being surprised by how loyal everyone is to this town. Jade tells me you thought she’d leave this place for good once she started college.”

  I gulped. Here it comes.

  Madison kept her eyes downcast. “I mean, yeah. Everybody leaves once they get a taste of the outside.” She frowned, then squinted at Griffin. “Wait, so who are you?”

  “I’m Griffin. You might’ve heard of my company, Reed Enterprises. Soon to be rebranded as Griffin Enterprises.”

  Madison stilled. “And Jade’s with you because…?”

  I answered, “I work for him. I’m helping him with the integration, and with addressing various concerns. Basically PR work.”

  Madison nodded slowly. “You might be surprised to hear I welcome the new development. At this point, what do we have to lose?”

  That seemed to be the theme of the day.

  I continued, “I really believe in Griffin and what he’s planning for the development. His detractors have it all wrong; his dad’s not involved at all, and Griffin plans on this being a mutually beneficial enterprise for everyone.”

  “I get it,” Madison said. “I’m not one of the old curmudgeons who’s afraid of change. Just as long as you don’t leave us high and dry.” Madison leveled the last sentence at Griffin, like a threat, and I knew all too well that she never bluffed when it came to that sort of thing.

  Griffin held up his hands in surrender. “Of course not. I know the history with the paper mill. This is a different kind of enterprise, anyway. More diversified. It won’t rely on one business, but many, working together to attract people from all over.”

  Madison finished up with the perfumes. “Good. So are you two…” She paused. “Seeing each other?”

  Griffin and I exchanged looks. It seemed neither of us wanted to answer that one.

  Madison laughed. “Okay, I guess that answers that.”

  “No,” I said, a bit too defensively. “We just work together.”

  “Strictly professional,” Griffin added, though he had a cheeky expression that said otherwise.

  “Good Lord,” Madison said, rolling her eyes as she moved around behind the counter. “Well, whatever. If you two are up to something, then my congratulations to you, Jade. I never thought you’d get over that last guy, and this Mr. Reed seems like a catch.”

  For some reason, it was a relief to have her approval, even though Griffin and I were definitely, most certainly not seeing each other.

  Griffin did a little drum beat on the checkout counter. “Well, then. I was just dropping by to introduce myself and to get to know you better. Will I be seeing you at the town hall meeting?”

  “Nah, not my kind of scene. I’d feel like an intruder, anyway. What’s a young kid whose entire business relies on the internet got to contribute to local town affairs?”

  I set the bl
ouse I’d been holding on the counter and took out my wallet. “A lot, Madison. Come by. They’d be interested in your perspective on things. And besides, Griffin could use a few allies there.”

  Madison looked down at the blouse, then back at me. “Nice choice. Complements your eye color.”

  “Thanks. So, mind giving us some reinforcements?”

  Madison rang me up. “I guess not, but…” She glanced at Griffin. “What’s a successful guy like you got to worry about? You must have a good track record if you’re running some big enterprise.”

  I cringed. “Maybe look his name up sometime.”

  Madison forgot all about ringing me up, whipping her phone out instead. “Oh, I gotta see what this is about. You know I love scandalous shit.”

  I said under my breath, slyly pointing with my thumb behind me, “You’re really gonna do that right now, with him right here?”

  “Considering you two are dating, hell yeah.”

  “We aren’t—”

  “Sure,” Madison mumbled absently as she thumbed through her phone. Her eyes slowly widened, and she turned her back to us as she kept reading. Finally, she spun around. “Prison?”

  “Yeah—”

  “Oh my God, you’re dating a felon? Your entire family must be having a collective heart attack.” She looked over my shoulder and waved at Griffin, who was trying to make a quiet escape. “I’m not judging, by the way. I mean, I’m sure you had a good reason or whatever. But I’m just digging the drama. It’s boring here in Calhoon, you know, so this is going to be a lot of fun.”

  Madison finally took my credit card and finished the transaction. “Don’t worry, Jade. I’m not missing that town hall meeting for a damn thing.”

  Chapter 14

  Jade

  “So!” Griffin said as we escaped into the open air again. “At least you two seem to be on speaking terms again. Mission accomplished?”

  “I guess! But she’s probably only talking to me because she wants front row seats to the shitshow.” I sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of my nose. “She thinks we’re dating too. What if she tells people? I mean, I guess she was never the type to spread gossip, only eat it up. But still.”

  Griffin shrugged. “If everyone thinks we’re dating, then I guess we’ll just have to date, anyway.”

  I wagged a finger at him. “Nuh uh. Besides, somehow my sister and parents don’t suspect a thing.”

  That was the real sticking point, if I had to be honest.

  “It’s probably for the best anyhow,” Griffin said longingly. “Sounds like I’m going to get torched at this town hall meeting. Maybe wear something fireproof?”

  “Oh, I’ve already been taking precautions.” Mainly because your smile sets my panties on fire. “So now that freaking Madison brought it up, are you going to ask about my last boyfriend?”

  “Not as long as you don’t ask about mine.”

  “Ha!”

  “Just kidding. I’m an open book if you want me to be.”

  “Then tell me about it.”

  “Well, all the women I’ve been with… those relationships were never anything significant. Maybe the last one I thought would go somewhere, but she ditched me the second I was convicted.”

  “Ugh. Sorry.”

  Griffin shrugged. “It was only fair. I got as much effort as I put in, which I realized after the fact wasn’t much. All those years in prison made me fix my priorities. It wasn’t just her; almost all my friends, all my colleagues abandoned me too. Not so much as a phone call or a letter.”

  “That must’ve been hard. And lonely.”

  Griffin nodded. “It was. But maybe it was all for the better. I’m going to forge stronger relationships this time around. Maybe make things easier the next time my father throws me under the bus.” He was trying to make a joke, but I could tell he was covering up a deep wound that hadn’t yet healed.

  “What about your mother? And do you have any siblings?”

  Griffin ran a hand through his hair, for want of anything to do besides answering that question. “No siblings. My mother lives on the other side of the country with a new family. She’s more of an absent parent than my dad was. He might be an asshole, but at least he was there when I was growing up.”

  “That… sucks.” I didn’t know what else to say. Here I thought maybe a handsome and charming guy like him had some sort of social network to fall back on. “My sister’s overbearing, and my parents are kinda off in their own world, but that’s a lot better than the hand you were dealt. I’m sorry.” I put a hand on his shoulder, but I wanted to do so much more than that. Kiss him, for one.

  He put his hand over mine, and my skin tingled at his warmth. “Thank you. It’s fine. I’m trying to focus on what I do have. And I’ve got the means to do some good, maybe balance out all the bad.”

  We let that hang in the air for a moment, then he nudged me with an elbow. “So. Your turn. What was so epic about this breakup that Madison’s still bringing it up?”

  Guess I wasn’t getting out of that one. “Let’s walk. Madison’s gonna think we’re creeping on her if we keep standing here.”

  We started strolling as I tried to think of some place to begin. “I don’t know. I got together with him in ninth grade, my first real boyfriend, and only one. I was such an awkward dork most of my childhood that I was like the wrong end of a magnet to most boys. We were partnered up in one science class. He seemed to think I was kinda cute. I thought he was really cute, and it went from there.”

  “Until it didn’t.”

  “Yeah. It was like something out of a bad movie. Years later, prom night, I caught him with some other girl. And here I thought I had found the one. To make matters worse, he posted pictures of me all alone at the dance. He worked at the school newspaper and had access to the school’s social media accounts. Guess he really wanted to twist the knife and ensure I didn’t keep clinging.”

  “That’s an awful thing to do.”

  “Yeah. My parents are high school sweethearts, and so is my sister and her husband, so I thought it’d turn out that way for me too. I thought it’d be that easy.”

  “It shouldn’t be easy.”

  “No?”

  “Because life isn’t. As long as you’re breathing, there’s going to be hard times, guaranteed. Not everybody’s willing to sacrifice their comfort and stick by someone else through hard times. If a relationship is easy, goes untested, you’ll commit to it before you ever see its true strength.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. So you’d recommend more harrowing first dates then? Like an African safari? Or scuba diving among sharks?”

  He winked. “You’d learn real fast if they’ll throw you to the wolves to save their own hides, at least.”

  “Very good information to know before getting into a relationship with someone.”

  “Quite.” Griffin pointed at the general store we were about to pass. “Should we introduce ourselves?”

  “Definitely. James, my brother-in-law, works there, so he should be nice enough.”

  “Do his views line up with your sister’s?”

  “Actually, I have no idea. He’s very quiet and shy.” I then shrugged. “Nah, I can’t imagine him going off on you. Maybe it’d be good to soften him up a bit, though, since he has Courtney’s ear.” I pulled open the door, a little bell ringing.

  Griffin gave me that panty-melting smile, then walked past. I followed him inside. The place was old-fashioned, with wooden barrels carrying an assortment of overstock, counters full of old-timey candy, a cooler with sodas in glass bottles, and pretty much no big name brands to be found. It was more of a novelty place than an actual grocery store, but it was the biggest attraction in town for that reason.

  James was at the counter, working the till as the owner, Betty, an older woman with her hair in a braid, tidied up. James immediately greeted me, then frowned curiously at Griffin. I introduced them, and it wasn’t until I mentioned the ocean front development that B
etty spun around and narrowed her eyes.

  “Mr. Reed,” she intoned, her hands on her hips. “Trying to charm your way about town, hm?”

  Griffin managed a smile despite her Disney villain act. “It seems the operative word in this case is ‘trying.’”

  “I know about you. Did my research. You got caught trying to defraud the city and the IRS, and now you’re here, thinking it’ll be easier to get away with it because you take us for a bunch of bumpkins.”

  Griffin kept his tone pleasant. “Clearly I’d be a fool to think that, with keen people such as you around. I doubt much gets past you.”

  She barked out a laugh. “Yeah, that handsome smile and pleasant tone won’t work on me. You’re not pitching your camp here unless we all get the sweetheart deal you’re getting from the town. I don’t see why a criminal with a trust fund should get special treatment when hard-working people like us have to scrape by to make a living.”

  “I don’t see why either, nor how that’d benefit me. Anyone who wants to visit the Marketplace Square is going to have to go through Main Street, so I’d hope they’d get a good first impression. It’d be best for all of us if Main Street was bustling.”

  Betty narrowed her eyes at Griffin, crossing her arms as she appraised him further. I held my breath, hoping she was reconsidering, but in the end she simply sneered. “I know how your father does business, anyway, and I can only assume you learned from him. The last town he hijacked, he started off with nice reasonable rents, then raised it the second the leases were up and sold out to big franchises, turning it into another generic shopping plaza. A place to stop by from the highway. Not a great place to live.”

  Griffin looked suddenly drained. And who could blame him when he was constantly having to fend off his father’s reputation? I stepped in, knowing Betty was at least familiar with me. “Listen, Betty, I wouldn’t be working with him if I thought he was a grifter. We’ve come up with some great plans that I think will really revitalize the place for everybody.”

  She dismissed me with a hand wave. “You’re clearly smitten. Me? Well, I’m already forty years into my marriage, so I don’t find young hotshots like Mr. Reed to be so charming anymore. Besides, from what I read, he was raised by nannies—not even his own mother. No wonder he’s gotten up to so much trouble.”