Page 99 of One Sweet Lie
“Because I’ve decided to break her record, starting today.”
“Okay, that’s it.” She clucked her teeth. “I’m coming over there right after my flight lands this Sunday.”
“I’m not getting up to let you inside,” I said. “I have a mission.”
“I have a key.” She hung up.
I settled on “How Hot Dog Buns are Really Made,” but someone rang my doorbell in the middle of the yeast rising.
“Ugh, Sasha!” I yelled. “You should’ve just said you were outside!”
I tossed off the covers and rushed to open it, but it wasn’t Sasha.
It was Eric.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked him. “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t care.”
“Well, hello to you, too, Harlow.” He smiled. “Can I come in for a second?”
“No.”
“It’s important. As one of your oldest friends?—”
“We haven’t been friends since we broke up,” I said. “I opened the door because I made the mistake of not checking the peephole first.”
“Okay, I deserve that.” He nodded. “Well, look. I’ve been doing some soul-searching, and I wanted to let you know how wrong I was for not paying you your rate for all those custom cupcakes.”
I blinked, waiting for him to say more, but he just stood there.
“Okay, then…When you’re off to hell, I will mention this late apology to Satan, and maybe he’ll consider burning your body on medium heat.”
He laughed. “I’ve always loved your sarcasm.”
“Thanks.” I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. “Have a good day, Eric.”
“Don’t.” He stuck his hand between the frame before I could shut the door. “I severely underestimated how much work you put into everything. I mean it. Me and my fiancée can’t get a baker to look our way for less than six thousand for a single cake, and when we mention matching cupcakes, they double the price. It’s been quite an experience, to say the least.”
“Okay, I’ll suggest ‘simmering heat’ to Satan for you, but that’s as low as I’m willing to go.”
“I wrote you a heartfelt apology letter.” He ignored my comment. “Then I figured you’d prefer payment with a late fee.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. “I am so sorry, and I hope there won’t be any hard feelings.”
I took the check from him, unsure of what to say.
“If you ever start taking orders between now and my wedding, though, me and my fiancée would love to hire you.”
“Hell no.”
“It was worth a try.” He smiled. “See you around, Harlow.”
“See you.” I shut the door.
Tossing the envelope onto the coffee table, I returned to the sofa.
The doorbell rang again.
No. I refuse to get up.
I turned up the volume and focused on the bread pans.