Just the Thing

by Marie Harte

  Elliot had his hands full as he shaped spider, skeleton, and goblin sugar cookies before turning to the butter scones waiting for his attention. Sadie had her own work putting together Sunday salads. She had to make enough to last the day without overdoing it. They could always use any extra dressing in the following day’s menu, but wilted greens went in the compost bin.

  “That’s the only thing saving your ass this morning,” Elliot muttered. “Good gossip.” He put three trays in the oven and cleaned up his station in their kitchen.

  Sundays at Sofa’s—the coffee shop/bakery that had expanded into a catering business—saw the siblings spending time together before they opened at eleven. Every weekend Sadie, Elliot, and Rose mixed, prepared, and frosted the most delicious treats—from healthy salads to sandwiches and baked goodies. Sadie would never admit it to the pair, but she loved their family time. She would forever associate the smell of baking cookies with Elliot’s bitching, Rose’s exuberance, and laughter.

  Elliot was her best friend, and it wasn’t easy sharing him with everyone. She and Rose had always been too different to be close-close. Sure, Sadie loved her little sister to pieces. Yet Elliot was the one who could see that sometimes a cup needed to be half empty, not half full, and was that much funnier because of it. Rose was too Pollyanna for Sadie, who enjoyed, say, punching a woman in the face. Or talking while eating, or having sex with a man she thought of as Devil, because she didn’t know his name.

  She grinned at the reminder. “Elliot, let me just say thank you.”

  He gave her a wary look. “For what?”

  “For the most fun I’ve had a while. The last time I was even half that entertained was watching our cousin and Landon fumble their way to a happily ever after while you and Jason, ex number four hundred and ten, committed to dating exclusively.” She didn’t miss her brother’s flush. “Oh, come on. You’re not still pining for that twerp, are you? He was so incredibly passive-aggressive. You need someone who says it like it is, not someone who sulks and throws hissies if you don’t know how to read his mind.”

  Elliot sighed. “Yeah, but he was great in bed. I’ll miss his—”

  “TMI. Ugh.”

  He gave her a wicked smile. “I was going to say creativity. So tell me more about last night. Because no way smacking some woman made you this happy. Oh, and where is that sword? I need to return it to the shop later.”

  “Hmm. About that… I may have left it behind when I was carried off by the Phantom of the Opera,” she said drily. “But don’t worry about getting the deposit back. What’s more important is that we know the truth. That our food kicked ass last night.”

  “I told you we should go.” Joaquin had texted her brother about four events in the coming months he wanted them to work. “I mentioned to him that from now on, we just cook it and deliver. We’re stretched too thin to serve as well.”

  “Good. Because if you think I’m going to hold a tray and beg people to eat your gluten-free Holy Hell rolls, you’re out of your mind.”

  “Like I’d let you,” Elliot snorted. “I’d be afraid someone would say something wrong and you’d punch them.”

  Sadie grinned. “Rose was so shocked. Like, did she not expect me to have a violent streak? You’ve seen me on the heavy bag at the gym.”

  He shrugged. “What can I say? Rose is our square peg. She’s too damn nice for our family.” He sounded as puzzled as Sadie felt. “I told her not to come in at all today.”

  “No, I told her not to come in at all today. How is it you’re still struggling to realize I’m the oldest and the one with mad skills in the kitchen?”

  “Yes, your dishwashing is beyond compare.” He rolled his eyes. “Might I remind you that we’re partners, but I am the brains and marketing master behind our success?”

  A success that paid, if not well, enough to keep Sadie comfortable. She had little in the way of needs. A gym membership at Jameson’s, subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu, and an addiction to frilly underthings and white chocolate raspberry truffles. Just one truffle alone cost four bucks.

  They worked in companionable silence while Emery managed the counter out front. Like Theo, he was a part-timer, a college kid with a great sense of style—what Sadie liked to call preppy grunge—and a terrific sense of humor. He thought Sadie was hilarious.

  “Did you set up next week’s schedule yet?” she asked. “Because I know Emery has midterms and Tory’s got a dance recital.”

  “I think you should do it. You know more about everyone than I do.”

  Yeah, because I have no life, just watching the rest of you from the sidelines. She didn’t say it, but she knew he had to be thinking it. They’d had this discussion before.

  “Oh, and before we veer completely away from the topic of the party last night, just what were you up to?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “I looked for you. Despite there being several barbarian hussies—”

  “Warrior princesses, you mean?”

  “—out there, we both know you don’t dance. So I didn’t bother looking for you on the crowded dance floor. But I looked everywhere else, and I didn’t see you. Where were you hiding? Behind those trees all night?”

  “Trees?”

  He waved a floured hand. “The bamboo plants. It was a nice hiding spot. But the point was for us to mingle. That means we talk to other people.”

  She studied him, wondering when he’d get it through his thick skull that she wasn’t lovely like Rose, charming like him, or interesting like their cousin Ava, a shrink. Sadie was just Sadie. She had no aspirations to get famous or rich. Didn’t have much in the way of interests besides working out, and mostly liked her life, boring as it was.

  When she remained silent, he threw up his hands. Mr. Dramatic. “Oh, forget it.”

  She nodded. “Elliot, let me ask you something.”

  “This should be good.”

  “Why is it that I’m an unhappy person?”

  “You are?” He frowned.

  “Well, if I’m not dating or trying to make millions, I’m apparently unhappy and unfulfilled. I like being single. I like my little apartment that’s affordable, comfortable, and mine.” Sadie had no pets, plants, or debts other than monthly rent on an apartment owned by her father. She could move at any time. She was—in a word—tether-less.

  “I don’t think you’re unhappy. But you’re not happy either.” Elliot paused to study her. “You’re comfortable, yes. But you’re not challenged. I’m not saying you need a relationship to complete you, but you’re missing something that will make this conversation make sense in the future. When you find it, you’ll know.”

  “That was enlightening. Not.”

  “What can I say? Some advice you pay for, the crap is free.” He gave her an evil smile. “And for making me do all the work last night, and for being the reason we had to leave early, you get the front this afternoon.”

  “You’re an ass, you know that?” An ass with a majority ownership of Sofa’s, giving him leeway over business decisions. They’d all come to that agreement of who should be in charge before going into business together. A wise recommendation from their father.

  Sadie cleaned up her workstation, washed and dried her hands, then snuck up behind her brother. She mussed his perfectly styled hair while he swore and tried to shrug her away. “Yeah, that’s what you get, McBossy.”

  “Bitch,” he snarled and patted down his hair.

  “Whore.”

  “Wimp.”

  She raised a brow. As far as insults went, that was lame.

  He blew out an exasperated breath. “Fine. You win. And you’re still out front.”

  She flipped him off and left to help Emery, now that the majority of the afternoon prep had been done.

  To say she enjoyed their crowded shop would be a lie, because in gen
eral she didn’t like dealing with people. But she did like staying busy, and she served more than her share of lattes, espressos, and Americanos. She also dished up plenty of Sunday salads, critter cookies, and Boo-Baguette sandwiches. When they had a small break, she went out to clear tables and smiled at two cute little kids playing straw wars.

  Sadie loved children. She always had, and as she watched their mother gently chastising them, then laughing at the faces they made, somewhere deep inside her, something mourned.

  Sadie pretty much knew she’d never have them, never commit enough to any man to make a baby. She didn’t want to raise a child by herself, and she’d never met a man she liked enough, or rather, who’d proven trustworthy enough, to father them.

  Now depressed when before she’d been feeling good, she scrubbed harder. Needing to take her mind off her limitations, she sought refuge in cleaning. With the tables shining, she grabbed the cleaning bin from the storage room in back and tackled the bathrooms, which she normally left for the newer employees. But Emery was busy, and she needed the distraction.

  It didn’t take long before both the men’s and ladies’ rooms smelled lemony fresh and clean. Nothing worse than a food establishment with nasty restrooms.

  Feeling a sense of accomplishment and never bothered by doing menial tasks for the greater good, Sadie cleaned up, inside and out. Refreshed, she managed to smile at her next customers. And as the day wound down, she planned to work in a trip to the gym to feel better.

  Besides, Sunday nights at Jameson’s were typically pretty empty.

  She belatedly realized Elliot was out front chatting up someone with more enthusiasm than he normally had and glanced up from the food counter.

  “Yo, S. I’m outta here.” Emery slung his backpack over his shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Later, Emery.” He left, swaggering past Elliot and his companion, then did a double take and backtracked. After a few words and a huge smile, Emery departed.

  Sadie stared, curious. She didn’t recognize the tall man with her brother, but a glance at thick black hair, broad shoulders, and big hands had her taking a second look. She was a sucker for big hands on a man. Weird but true.

  She left the counter, seeing no one else around but the tall guy with her brother. As she drew closer, she noticed the big guy holding something.

  At her approach, he turned his attention to her, and she was caught by his piercing gaze. Hazel eyes, neither green nor brown but an incredible mix of both, fringed by thick lashes, studied her from top to bottom. She’d seen those eyes before…

  Then he smiled, and her racing heart plummeted to her feet. Holy crap, was this guy hot or what?

  “Xena, I presume?” He handed her a sword. Her sword. “You left something behind last night.”

  “Just call me Cinderella.” She accepted the prop and scrutinized him, minus the devil regalia and half mask. “Satan, is it really you?” she teased to cover her shock.

  He laughed, and she recognized the husky timbre immediately.

  “Sadie.” Elliot huffed, though she caught his grin. “Sadie, this is Gear Blackstone. Gear, my sister, Sadie.”

  “Wait. Gear? That guy from the stupid motorcycle show?”

  Gear sighed. “Yeah, that one. Surely you haven’t forgotten me already?” The blistering look he shot her reminded her girlie parts all too easily how well she knew him.

  So of course her gaze automatically went to his fly.

  He chuckled, and she met his gaze, mortified. Sadie didn’t do embarrassed often, so she had to give the guy props for being able to get to her. “Thanks for returning it,” she mumbled.

  Elliot watched her and Gear, his eyes narrowing. “You two know each other?”

  “You could say that.” Gear stuffed his hands in his pockets. Dear Lord, he filled out a pair of jeans to perfection. He wore biker boots and a faded Carhartt jacket over a Led Zeppelin tee. “I saw what happened. I talked to Joaquin, and he won’t mention your name if asked. He was pissed he missed the fireworks. You are okay, aren’t you?” He looked over her face.

  “Just a slap. Didn’t leave a mark at all.”

  “Good.” Gear broke into a huge smile that warmed his eyes and jackhammered her heart. “It was incredible.”

  “So you’re Gear. My devil.” She had a difficult time processing the fact that Satan was in fact someone she’d once seen on TV.

  “Your devil.” His smug grin should have annoyed her. “And you’re my Xena.”

  Elliot whipped his stare from Gear to her and back, as if watching a Ping-Pong tournament. “Your Xena?” he repeated.

  She nodded, wary at the look on Gear’s face.

  He stepped into her personal space before she could blink and kissed the breath out of her.

  “Hot damn, Sadie. That was fuckin’ awesome.” Gear burst into laughter. “You clocked her. I mean, that punch was straight-up beautiful.” He turned to Elliot. “You should have seen it, man. Sahara was treating Sadie like shit, and Sadie didn’t take it. No, she dished it out.” His wide smile remained.

  “You’re Gear.” She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact she’d slept with a reality star. Not that she cared about fame, but Devil had seemed so far away from Motorcycle Madnezz.

  “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to hide anything. I mean, I was. But I just wanted to be anonymous, away from people talking shit. I hadn’t meant for…ah…” He paused, and they both turned to Elliot, who watched with his mouth agape. “Hey, man, can I talk to your sister for a minute?”

  Elliot backed away, still not blinking. “Sure, sure. I’ll be in the back cleaning up.”

  Once he’d left, Sadie turned back to Gear to see him staring at her. “What?”

  “Ah. There’s Xena. All attitude and tight fists.” He reached out and cradled her hand in his, then straightened out her fingers and studied them.

  Taken aback by the heat in the man’s palm, and the crazy way her entire body seemed to want to lean in his direction, she had to clear her throat before speaking. “What are you doing?”

  “Just lookin’ at you.” He squeezed her hand in his and let go. When he looked into her eyes, his own seemed to glow.

  Jesus, I’m seeing things. He is not the devil! Sadie blinked and the glow was gone.

  He frowned. “You okay?”

  “Ah, yeah.” Just acting like a moron. “Sorry, but you look so totally different without that lumberjack beard.”

  “Lumberjack?” He stroked his smooth chin, and she couldn’t help but notice his square jaw and lean cheeks. The guy had a rough-meets-sexy-meets-fuckable look.

  Sadie’s skin had goose bumps, her nipples tightened into peaks, and heat blossomed between her legs. Damn. Talk about lethal.

  “I can handle lumberjack. That’s better than most of the names I’ve been called lately.” He grimaced.

  “Yeah, about that. You need to call Sahara on those lies.”

  He shrugged. “What good would it do? You weren’t sure of me until you overheard her, remember?”

  “That’s because you come across as a macho idiot.”

  He blinked. “I do?”

  Sadie huffed. “Gear.” She tested his name on her tongue and liked it. “You’re hot when you’re angry, but that doesn’t show well on TV against a charmer like B-Man and an ‘angel’ like Sahara. Trust me, I know all about alienating people. And buddy, you have me beat, hands down.”

  “I know.” He groaned. “It’s a crappy situation. But it’s over, thank God. Now I can get on with my life.”

  Doing what? she wanted to ask, but something kept her silent.

  “So, ah, I just wanted to return your sword and let you know how much I loved that punch.”

  “Not half as much as I loved giving it.” Sadie gave him her mean smile.

  “Oh yeah. That’s sexy.”
r />   She blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

  “That inner bitch of yours. Hot. As. Fuck.” His gravelly words destroyed her composure.

  “Yeah?” She smiled at him, feeling…well…girlie.

  “Yeah.” He moved closer.

  Something in the back clanged, and they sprang apart.

  Sadie slapped a hand to her racing heart, so intent on Gear she’d forgotten all about Elliot.

  “Ah, well, thanks for bringing the sword. Now Elliot will stop bitching at me about getting back the deposit.”

  Gear nodded, his gaze fastened to her face, her mouth in particular. When he met her eyes again, she recognized the same hunger that blossomed inside her. “Good.” He coughed. “Not that you should be charged too much. That thing’s a piece of crap.”

  “I know.”

  “Next time you need a costume, go to Fair of Dreams. They do quality work.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  They continued to stare at each other.

  “Sadie, you ready?” Elliot called, now behind the counter, watching the two of them like a hawk. “Oh, you’re still here, Gear? Sorry.”

  “No problem.” Gear started to turn away, then stopped and asked her, “You want to go to dinner sometime?”

  Sadie considered that idea and threw it out the window. “No way in hell.”

  Gear snorted. “I would have been okay with a simple no, but okay.”

  “I mean, no because you’ll have paparazzi watching you, right?” She looked over his shoulder through the windows. “No one followed you here?”

  He relaxed. “Oh. No. I think shaving off my beard has saved me. That and I took my brother’s car instead of my bike. So, ah, if you want, we could eat at my place. Or yours.”

  Suddenly Sadie felt really, really hungry. “Just for dinner, right? Something casual. A one-off.”

  He frowned. “You need me to define this? It’s just…dinner.” And hot sex went unsaid.

  “Just making myself clear. Because I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”

  His smile brightened the room. “Cool. After my disaster of an engagement, I don’t want a girlfriend anytime soon either. But I do like to eat.” He leaned closer and whispered, “And after last night, I’d love to eat you.”