Lib Novel Page 70
“It’s not like we’re getting married. It’s a new relationship. She could simply be happy for me.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you.”
I placed my hand over hers. “Thanks, Aunt Doris. That’s worth a lot.”
“Hey, Harper?” Beth poked her head through the doorway. “Are you good to watch the front until closing?”
“That’s right, dentist appointment.” I squeezed Doris’s hand, then stood. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to the time.”
“No problem. I just need to get going.”
“Go ahead. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“What can I help with?” Doris asked.
“There’s a cake in the fridge that needs to be frosted. The order form is over there.” I pointed to the small stack of orders. “Other than that, we’re in good shape today.”
I left Doris to work on the cake while I went up front. Outside, the rain had stopped and the sun had finally come out. The pastry case was looking pretty bare, but it wasn’t long until closing.
The door opened and my stomach went queasy. Matt walked in with a creepy leer on his face. His hair was either wet or very greasy—maybe a bit of both—and his shirt had what appeared to be a mustard stain on the chest.
“Hi, Harper.”
“Hello. What can I do for you?”
“How’s it going?”
“I’m fine, thank you. Can I get you something?”
No matter how hard I tried to use my customer service demeanor, he never took the hint. He approached the counter, his eyes roving over me in a way that made me enormously uncomfortable.
“Just thought I’d stop by and say hi.”
I wished I knew whether Matt was just a bit awkward, or actually dangerous. I honestly couldn’t tell. I didn’t want to be judgmental. Just because he was habitually unkempt didn’t mean he was a bad person.
But he also looked like he might have a cage in his basement waiting for his next victim.
“Oh, well, hi. Sorry the selection is a little lacking, but that tends to happen at the end of the day.” I stepped back, hoping I could excuse myself into the kitchen. “Let me know if you want something from the case.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“It would be hard to choose one.”
“You’re just such a good baker.”
“Thank you. If you liked the butterscotch chip before, we still have some of those.”
He grinned. “You remembered.”
Oh no. “I did?”
“I did get a butterscotch chip last time. I knew you—”
Before he could finish, the door opened. It might as well have been a knight in shining armor, only it was a big man in aviators and a deputy uniform.
I couldn’t help the enormous smile that stole over my face. Giddiness bubbled up inside me, chasing away the queasy sensation. I would have been happy to see Garrett anyway, but his timing was perfect.