by Fiona Grace
“You okay, Brandon?” the cameraman asked.
Brandon wiped sweat from his brow. “I’m going to barf.”
To accompany his words, a series of emojis flashed up on the screen of the green puking face with a matching sound effect. Then Brandon thumped his fists on the table and shouted, “MORE CHICKEN!” The camera cut away to the poor store workers behind the counter wringing their hands and looking perturbed.
Beside Ali, Teddy put his fist up to his mouth, looking like he might retch any second. He’d always had a very sensitive stomach. Ali had seen enough herself.
“Put it away,” she said, worried that the prankster on the screen might barf and set off a whole chain reaction. She frowned from Miriyam to Piper. “This is who you’re excited about? He seems like a total jerk.”
“A jerk indeed,” Miriyam replied. “But exposure. Free advertising. As a business owner you ought to know that there’s no such thing as bad press.”
Typical Miriyam, Ali thought. Always veiling her criticisms behind “business advice.”
“Every location he visits gets a huge increase in footfall,” Miriyam finished.
That gave Ali pause for thought. “Really?”
“Oh yeah,” Piper said. “He calls them his disciples. They follow him everywhere.”
“Right,” Ali said, nodding her understanding. “So the increase in footfall is actually just of other prank-playing pre-pubescents who think trash like this is the height of humor?”
“Dismiss him all you want,” Miriyam said, haughtily. “But he’s a big deal. Your Randy Recommends radio plug reached, what, a thousand local residents? A Brandon Lennox video plug will reach millions all across the country.”
“Millions?” Ali echoed, not believing it for a second.
From where she was still watching the video intently, Piper murmured, “This video has a couple million hits.”
Ali’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding! But he’s a total joke. And this whole video is in very poor taste, if you ask me. Just look at those workers—they don’t know what to do. Why on earth would I want to lure a guy like that into my store? He’s the last person I want on macaron launch day.”
“You don’t really get a choice,” Piper said with a single-shoulder shrug, her eyes still glued to the screen. “He goes where he wants. Besides, I find him totally hilarious.”
Ali grimaced. If that horrible prankster turned up at the Willow Bay boardwalk tomorrow as he was rumored to, it would totally overshadow her macaron launch! No one would even notice the cute, chubby-cheeked Mr. Macaron mascot when there was a loud, baseball-cap-wearing idiot gallivanting all over the place.
But then another thought struck her. With so many people watching Brandon’s videos, was there a chance one might go viral? And that her missing father might spot her and decide to come visit?
Suddenly, a series of fart noises came from Piper’s cell phone, making her erupt into giggles, and in one fell swoop, Ali realized she was being ridiculous for thinking her dad would watch such a video.
Her hope fizzed out. Her father wasn’t coming back, ever. And her macaron launch day might just prove to be a total disaster.
Suddenly, she felt Teddy’s arm around her shoulder.
“Let’s go for lunch,” he suggested, softly.
He always seemed to know when Ali was sad or anxious. But she wasn’t sure if it was safe to leave Piper in charge.
She looked over at Piper, her eyes glued to her phone as the sound of retching came out. Teddy went instantly green, like he might barf any second, and Ali’s mind was made up.
“Great idea!” she said, grabbing his arm and steering him toward the exit. “Piper, I need to head out for a few minutes!” she called as she went. “Can you keep an eye on the place?”
“Sure!” Piper said, looking proud of the responsibility.
Ali heaved the door open. “And remember, no more freebies!” she called over her shoulder. “At least not for anyone but Steven Spielberg.”
“Got it, boss!” Piper exclaimed.
Ali guided her nauseous brother outside by the shoulders, praying leaving Piper alone and in charge of her beloved bakery was not a decision she’d soon come to regret.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Mmm, what is that gorgeous smell?” Teddy said, the moment the door to Seaside Sweets shut behind them.
“You recovered that quickly?” Ali asked, eyebrows raised. “I thought you were a nanosecond away from sympathy barfing with Brandon Lennox.”
Teddy flapped a dismissive hand. “I was acting, darling. Just a ruse to get you to take a break.”
Ali chuckled. She should’ve guessed.
Teddy linked his arm through her hers, and they began to stroll along the boardwalk.
“Seriously though,” Teddy said. “What is that smell? It’s amazing.”
Ali sniffed the air. She’d only been in Willow Bay a few months but she already knew all the food vendors’ scents intimately. This one was new. And delicious.
“Smells like fried onions,” she said, her salivary glands bursting to life. “I wonder where it’s coming from. Do you want to follow it and find out?”
Teddy clapped his hands. “What a wonderful idea!”
Ali laughed affectionately. Teddy always wanted to eat, but he always wanted someone else to be the one to suggest it.
“I think it’s coming from over there,” Ali said, pointing in the general direction of the pier.
They strolled on.
It was a gorgeous day. The beach was full of volleyball players, hula hoopers, and sunbathers. The ocean twinkled a brilliant blue, dotted with surfers and speed boats. There were plenty of tourists milling idly around with ice cream cones in their hands, or sheltering from the hot California sun beneath the tall palm trees that lined the boardwalk.
Ali wondered how many of them would still be in town tomorrow for macaron launch day. How many of them would she serve? How many smiles would she bring to their faces? Unlike her prior job in the fancy Silverlake restaurant Eclairs, Ali’s work was actually appreciated now. She’d never felt more fulfilled.
The only downside was her loneliness. She was still getting used to being single after three years with Otis. Living alone in a one-bedroom apartment was quite the adjustment.
“Thanks for visiting, Teddy-bear,” Ali said. “It’s really nice to see you.”
“I’d do it more often, if you could promise me a five-thousand-dollar check each time,” Teddy joked in reply.
Ali halted. She turned to face her brother. Behind him, the colorful houses built into the lush, forested hillsides looked particularly bright in the beautiful summer sunshine. Willow Bay always made Ali think of Havana.
“I’m being serious,” she said. “I really do appreciate you. Mom didn’t think I could do it. Hannah told me out and out that I was an idiot to try. You were the only one on my side.”
“Okay,” Teddy said, with an air of reluctance. “You want to be serious? I’ll give you serious.” He took her by the shoulders and looked her dead in the eye. “I am so proud of you.”
His words seemed to reach right into Ali’s heart and smother it in gold. She was touched. Beyond touched. Teddy wasn’t just her brother or her best friend, he was her surrogate father. He’d taken on a huge responsibility when their dad had walked out, and a huge burden. But he’d not only risen to the challenge, he’d surpassed it. A lesser man wouldn’t have even tried to fill the gap that had been left by their father.
Ali suddenly felt tears swimming in her eyes.
“Okay, old man,” she joked.
And just like that, the seriousness dissipated.
Brother and sister continued on their carefree stroll in search of the source of the fried onions. They passed the brightly painted stores that made Willow Bay’s boardwalk so unique.
Just then, Ali spotted a familiar face. A very familiar, very furry face.
“Scruff!” she exclaimed.
The
boardwalk stray came bounding up to her and Ali went down to her knees to ruffle him enthusiastically behind the ears. He panted under the hot sun, his big pink tongue lolling.
“Where have you been?” Ali demanded. “How are you?”
She hadn’t seen much of the pup since he’d heroically brought down a rogue mobster. She’d started to miss his daily visits. In fact, her pockets were bulging with the snacks she made sure to carry around for him.
“Let’s see what I have in here for you,” she said, as she reached inside her pocket and pulled out Scruff’s favorite snack—a jumbo bone.
His eyes sparked and he barked with excitement.
“There you go, lil dude,” Ali said, handing it to him.
Scruff grabbed the bone in his mouth and went bounding off to eat it in peace, away from the seagulls that would fight him tooth and nail for anything edible.
She watched him go—disappointed by how brief their encounter had been—then straightened to standing. She quickly discovered Teddy was staring at her.
“You literally just had a full conversation with that dog,” he joked.
“That dog?” Ali repeated, sounding affronted. “That’s not just any dog. It’s Scruff! You remember him, don’t you? You’ve met before.”
Teddy looked clueless. He must’ve repressed that particular evening. It was an ability Ali wished she possessed. Unlike her brother, she remembered everything too keenly—every harsh word, every stressful experience—as if her mind was a sponge clinging on to her memories for dear life.
“Never mind,” Ali said.
They reached the pier, where the kiosks at the entrance sold sugary donuts and seagulls picked at discarded French fries, and where the dark green caravan of Lavinia Leigh the fortune teller was stationed.
Immediately, Ali saw a streak of red whizzing across the pier. It was Django, Lavinia’s pet monkey, dressed in his usual red silk costume—a little waistcoat and matching shorts that concealed his diaper.
Ali watched the monkey turn his head and fix his beady little eyes on them. Then he sprang forward, coming right for them!
“Watch your wallet,” Ali warned. Her first run-in with the monkey had left her ten dollars out of pocket. He was quite the skilled thief.
The monkey bounded right up to them and yipped.
Teddy chuckled. “Hi, little guy!”
Despite Ali’s warning, Teddy immediately reached into his pocket and handed Django a ten-dollar bill.
“What are you doing?” she said. “Don’t encourage him!”
“It’s not for him,” Teddy said. He nodded to the caravan. “It’s for her.”
Ali rolled her eyes. “Oh, Teddy, please don’t waste your money on readings. You know Lavinia’s a fraud.”
“Really?” Teddy challenged. “Have you already forgotten how useful her first reading ended up being for you? If I recall correctly you were about five minutes away from jacking in the whole bakery thing when you remembered Lavinia’s reading and held on for one second longer. Now look at where you are. Besides, the reading isn’t for me.” He gave her a mischievous look and wiggled his eyebrows. “It’s for you.”
“No way,” Ali said, shaking her head resolutely. “I don’t need a reading.”
“I disagree,” came Teddy’s lofty reply. “There’s plenty of stuff going on in your life you need clarity over.”
Ali folded her arms. “Like what?”
“Nate, for one,” Teddy said, knowingly.
At the mention of the golden-haired Australian surfer who’d become the subject of Ali’s desire, her stomach dropped. Things with him seemed to have stalled. When he’d offered to give Ali private surf lessons, she’d assumed it was an excuse to spend some time with her and get close. But so far, nothing even remotely romantic had happened. All he’d done was attempt to teach her to surf.
“Why’d you have to bring him up?” Ali asked, feeling her chest heave with disappointment.
“Because a few weeks ago you guys were totally into each other,” Teddy said. “And now all I get are agonized phone calls about how he’s lost interest.”
“Well, he has,” she replied with a shrug.
“And yet you have plans with him tonight, don’t you?” Teddy added.
“Sure, another platonic surf lesson,” Ali murmured.
Teddy gave her a look. “You know you’d make a good couple.”
“I’m not the one who needs convincing!” Ali exclaimed.
“Aren’t you?” Teddy replied, raising his eyebrows. “Because nothing about you right now screams available.”
Ali looked down at her batter-splattered jeans and shirt. Her thick, dark-blond hair was tied messily over one shoulder in a braid. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d bothered to put on mascara. Actually… yes… she could, and she could still recall her puffy-eyed, mascara-streaked reflection from the night Otis had dumped her for his best friend, Colton.
Maybe Teddy was right. Maybe she was giving off unavailable vibes. Maybe the reason Nate had gone cold was because of something she’d done.
Just then, Django the monkey grabbed hold of Ali’s hand.
“See,” Teddy said. “Even the monkey knows you’re the one in need of a reading.”
Ali tried to pry Django’s little monkey fingers off her, but it was no use. He clung on like his life depended on it.
“I don’t have time for a reading,” Ali said. “I have to get back to the bakery before Piper burns the place to the ground.”
“It doesn’t look like you have a choice in the matter,” Teddy said as Django started tugging on Ali’s finger.
“Teddy, please,” Ali begged, digging her heels in to stop herself from being forcibly dragged to the caravan by the naughty, persistent monkey. “I thought we were going to get some food together! The fried onions! Remember?”
“I have to get home now anyway,” Teddy said breezily. He patted his back pocket, where he’d placed his folded check. “I only came by to collect my tips,” he joked. “Very generous. Thank you very much.”
His shoulders started to shake with laughter. At least one of them was amused, Ali thought.
“But Teddy…!” Ali cried desperately, as the little monkey tugged her away from him.
“Bye, sis!” Teddy called, waving his arm in an arc. “Catch up soon!”
Ali gave up. She didn’t have a choice in the matter. She waved a defeated goodbye to Teddy and let Django the monkey drag her to the caravan.
Inside, it smelled strongly of incense. Django let go of Ali’s hand and bounded onto the small wooden table before leaping up onto the fortune teller’s shoulder.
Lavinia had her luscious long black hair swept to one side. Today it was adorned with jewels, complementing the array of rings and beaded bracelets she always wore.
“Ali,” she purred. “What a pleasant surprise.”
Ali highly suspected that she had been specifically chosen in advance and that Lavinia was simply adding to the charade.
The woman gestured to the chair opposite her, and Ali sat down.
“I understand you’re looking for some guidance on your romantic future,” Lavinia said, immediately.
Ali didn’t let her accuracy throw her. As a single woman in her mid-thirties, Lavinia had about a ninety-nine percent chance of guessing correctly that her main woe at the moment would be the uncertain state of her love life.
“You got me,” Ali said. “What gave it away?”
“Your aura,” Lavinia replied. “It’s as pink as a blush.”
She reached across the table and took Ali’s hands in hers. Her hands were warm, and she was wearing some kind of intoxicating perfume—a sandalwood and lavender combination. Ali got a nose full of it as Lavinia leaned in close and softened her gaze.
A long silence stretched between them, making Ali squirm uncomfortably.
“So?” she prompted when she couldn’t take it any longer. “What’s the verdict? Am I destined for spinster-hood?”
“Not at all,” Lavinia replied. “Quite the opposite, in fact. You have more options than you think you do.”
“Oh sure, there are plenty of eligible bachelors in Willow Bay,” Ali joked. “Fat Tony, the pizzeria owner slash mob boss, Kerrigan O’Neal, the landlord who reminds me of Winnie the Pooh, and big gay Pete of Pete’s pitas. Is it one of them?”
Lavinia didn’t rise to Ali’s sarcasm in the slightest. She kept her eyes fixed on her, her expression not even changing a bit. Her calm, cool persona was enough to force Ali to actually consider what she was telling her.
Ever since moving to Willow Bay, she’d quickly gotten wrapped up in Nate. Was there a chance she’d totally overlooked another man? The man she was actually supposed to be with?
She racked her brains trying to work out who it might be, but came up empty-handed. Marco and Emilio, the suave Italian twins, were certainly delicious to look at, but Delaney had warned her off dating them, and Ali trusted her friend’s advice. So if they weren’t the ones Lavinia had in mind, then who was?
Lavinia continued, in her strange hypnotic sounding voice. “A new recipe will bring new love.”
Ali felt a little chill run up her spine. There was no way for Lavinia to know she was working on a new macaron recipe, and that she was about to launch it tomorrow. Only Teddy, Delaney, Piper, and Miriyam knew about the macarons. It only gave Lavinia more credence.
As Ali thought about her macarons, she pictured someone entirely new on the horizon, lured into her life by her delicious new delicacy.
But then her heart hitched. It hadn’t been long since her breakup from Otis. She’d been with her ex for three years until he’d admitted he was gay and cheating on her. Ali wasn’t sure she’d truly processed that bombshell moment properly yet. Maybe that was why Nate had gone cold on her. If she was still unconsciously carrying all that heartbroken baggage around with her, it would be pretty off-putting.
“You’re overthinking things,” Lavinia said.
This time, Ali startled. It really felt like the woman had read her mind.