Love Arrives in Pieces
Page 28
As the swinging door shut behind her, Lucas dropped the uneaten half of his cupcake back into its sack and folded the bag closed. The strawberry cakes were great, but man, Kat could do better. Did better, in fact, every time she went home, put her hair up, and baked to a background of Sinatra. How many times had he watched her do just that over the years, while he sat on the walnut bar stool and offered suggestions, prompting her to take it to another level?
Somewhere along the way, one batch of cupcakes along the way, he’d tripped right over the label of Best Friends they’d worn the majority of their teen years and landed upside down on the field of Love.
And suddenly, he had zero plays to call.
“Ready?” She pushed back into the front of the shop, shouldering the strap of her oversize turquoise bag. He’d teased her last year about the size of her previous purple one until she bought the bigger turquoise just on principle. He wisely kept his mouth shut after that, in case he pushed her into toting around an actual suitcase for a purse. He knew when to prod and when to shut up, when to encourage her to take it one step further and when to dial it back. No one knew Kat better than him.
Some days he wondered if he knew her better than she did.
“Lucas? You ready?” The pinch of her brow reminded him she’d already asked that question once. Ready? Well, no. But yes—the main problem being he had no idea if she was.
He straightened his shoulders. “I’m always ready.” His trademark retort rolled easily off his lips, bringing a smile and erasing the confusion that lingered on her expression. He offered his arm. “To the bank?” He hoped not. He hoped he could walk her straight home and she’d invite him in and they’d cook stir-fry or something else delicious.
“No, I’ll take the deposit tomorrow. They’re about to close, and Maggie said it wasn’t worth the rush.”
Win. He struggled to hide his victory smile as she came around the counter and linked her arm through his, exactly the same as they’d done a hundred times over the years. But nothing with Kat was the same anymore. It was exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time.
She craned her neck to peer up at him, her wide blue eyes inquisitive. “I have some stir-fry at the house. Want to stay for dinner?”
Another win. “Only if you promise to make dessert.”
She tried to plant her free hand on her hip, but the giant purse got in the way and nearly swung her off balance. She lifted her chin, apparently in an attempt at indignation instead. “Hey, now. I’m not cooking dinner and dessert after baking cupcakes here all day.”
He tugged her toward the door, laughing. “Then I’ll handle the stir-fry. You just do what you do best.”
Her responding smile made him want to offer to do the dishes too. “Nice play, Coach.”
She had no idea.
The story continues in All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant.
About the Author
Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.
Visit her website at www.betsystamant.com
Facebook: BetsySt.Amant
Twitter: @betsystamant