Page 9 of All Yours
The new Hart-Carter Commons they were building would not only house Lauren’s new bakery, but a second level of condominiums would also serve as Lauren and Camden’s first home together. Lauren deserved all the good things that came her way. She’d had a rough go for a few years and then all the trauma surrounding her ex-husband’s attempt to burn down the bakery with her inside. Watching her and Camden together had set off small pangs of ache in my heart that I’d long pushed down. Would I ever be that close to someone?
“Aren’t you worried someone will come along and eat your cake?” Camden asked, grinning.
Lauren rolled her eyes. “No, I’m not worried that either of my parents will eat cake without icing straight off a cooling rack.”
“That might be something you have to worry about once you’re living with him,” Jonah said.
“Right,” Lauren said. “Don’t eat any of my baked goods until I give the go-head.”
Camden lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not the boss of me,” he muttered, and took a drink of his beer.
“Well, that ain’t true,” Jonah said.
Camden scratched his face with his middle finger. Everyone at our table erupted in laughter.
“Do I need to remind y’all of the rules?” Adrian asked, appearing table side. Every Trivia Night he gave the same warning, not that Lauren paid him any attention. He was a mountain of a man with long hair and a big bushy beard he’d recently taken to trimming. Most people went to great lengths to not cross him, but Lauren held no such fear.
“No, of course not,” Lauren said with a big, sweet smile.
Adrian stared at Lauren for a beat and sighed. “Why do I bother?” he muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.
Lauren gave him her best innocent expression, and everyone laughed.
“Anyway,” he barked. “I’m doing the annual Halloween party and costume contest again this year. I expect y’all to be here.”
“Oh, I love the Halloween party,” I said. I loved costumes.
“We should do a group theme for our costumes,” Eden said.
“That’s a great idea,” Lauren said.
“I don’t think so,” Jonah said.
“Not you,” Eden said. “Just us girls. And Camden can, if he wants.”
“Oh god,” Camden said with a startle.
“It’s not that bad an idea,” Eden said.
“Not that. Mrs. Pennington just walked in,” he whispered. “Hide me. She always looks at me like I’m dessert.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Lauren said.
“She’s coming this way,” Camden squeaked.
“Just the group I was looking for,” Mrs. Ellen Pennington beamed down at us, her voice booming over the crowd. At six feet tall, with a boisterous personality to match, she commanded every room she entered, and was the longest running city council president in the town’s history.
We all said our greetings.
“I like your hair,” Lauren said of the purple streaks running through her gray.
“Thank you, dear,” she beamed, patting her hair. “I told the girl at the salon I wanted something a little modern.”
“Can I get you a table?” Adrian asked, moving toward her.
Mrs. Pennington waved him away. “Now don’t worry, I’m not crashing you kid’s trivia night.” She laughed. “I just popped by to let you all know to save the date for the Pennington Christmas Party. It’ll be on December 16th.” She readjusted her purse hooked in the crook of her arm. “Invitations are going out soon.”
“Sounds good,” Jonah said, his leg bouncing under the table.