Chapter 1

1

Percy

“ T ammy Sue?” I yelled over the pop music she was blasting in the kitchen. Miss Grande was in her feelings, and so was Tammy Sue. “Can you come and grab these profiteroles? I’m too busy making curd and don’t want to overwhip it.”

“I got you!” she sang loudly to the music.

“Can you also turn that down just a squeeze?”

“You are destroying my vibe, babe.” Her laugh made me feel all warm inside. “Besides, you’ve been in a tasty mood for the last few months. Where is the himbo? Is there trouble in paradise where you don’t feel like swaying to the rhythm?”

“Ben’s over at a planning committee meeting for the resort and then headed to something about the festival. He talked me into setting up a table, but I’d still prefer to just keep the store open so we can take any large orders that people might want to place. This is our busy time, you know?”

“There’s just the two of us, hon. But not having a table at the festival would be a bad idea. We have to.”

“I know, but I think we might need some help. I need to find someone to either help you at the table or watch the store. I think the table would be easier.”

“Everyone will be at the festival. You have to be at the table, bitch. You’re the face of this place.”

“Why do you hate me?”

“I have athing against tight abs and people in love with a man with tight abs. The holidays make me itchy.” She was snarky today.

“Bitchy, you mean.” This curd looks delicious. I turned it off and took a small taste.

“That too. How about that girl, Amber, who’s always popping in to talk about baking? She’s cute and seems to really love this place.”

“You think I should hire a high school student to run the store in my absence and train her in the next two weeks? You’re insane,” I scoffed. That was a horrible idea.

“She’s not baking. She’s writing down orders. Seriously, a monkey could do that job. What are you so afraid of? I’ll train her if she wants to help out. All you have to do is agree.” She took off her apron and went to wash her hands.

“Fine. It’s not like I have much of a choice, I guess. I have enough on my plate. Why do the holidays feel more stressful this year?”

“You have a boyfriend. What are you getting tall, dark, and sexy?”

“I have no idea. Did you know he’s a giant Hallmark Christmas movie fan? He also started listening to holiday music right after Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a little frightening. This time of year means money and extra hours for me. But it’s important to him, so…”

“It should be important for you, too.” She spoke slowly so the words could sink into my thick head.

“I’m stressed and sweaty and feeling way overwhelmed.”

She walked back over to the bowl. “What is whelmed? That word has always confused me,” she giggled. “This batter is fucking tasty.” She licked the spoon before throwing it into the sink. “Only five thousand more of these to make.”

“What time is it? I promised that I’d meet him outside for the tree lighting.”

“You have two hours.”

“That means fourteen more sheets of cake. When are they picking these up again?”

“Tomorrow at four. You’ll have time to decorate in the morning.”

I sighed heavily. “Sadly, no. I will have to come back here tonight to get these ready. They have to set in the cooler overnight so the fruit sticks.”

“Shit. I can come back to help you. It’s not like my love life is all that exciting.”

“No, boo. You don’t need to suffer with me. Besides, maybe I’ll sleep in an extra hour tomorrow? Can you start by yourself tomorrow?”

“I can if that means you and Ben are gonna have breakfast in bed.”

“That means I would have to cook, and I have other ideas.” I chuckled.

“I can totally handle it.”

Thankfully, I knew she could.