The morning went by quickly with the steady flow of customers. Mondays are always busier in the bakery, mainly with walk-in specialty requests, which I enjoy immensely and Joey hates. He prefers that I’m not tied up in consultations all day so we can chitchat and gossip. It’s close to noon when Juls walks in, looking as chic as ever in her tight pencil skirt, white blouse, and heels to die for. I really need to raid her closet someday. Besides the height difference between us, we’re similarly built and could swap clothes easily. We’re both slender yet toned, given how religious we both are about our exercise routines.
“Hello, lovies. And how is everyone’s Monday going?”
I moan as Joey smiles big, showing off his lonely dimple. “You look hot, Juls. Got a meeting with an annoying couple?” I ask as I straighten out the remaining red velvet cupcakes in the display case.
“Actually, I was just about to head over to Ian’s work to have lunch. You know I gotta look good for my baby.”
I perk up. Perfect. I could tell him off in person. “Mind if I joined you?”
She tilts her head to the side as Joey gasps dramatically. “Are you going to confront him?” The excitement in his voice is almost palpable.
I nod firmly. “Hell yes, I am. If he thinks he can proposition me to be his dirty little secret, he is seriously mistaken.”
“Excuse me? What the fuck have I missed?” Juls brings both hands to her hips and stares at me, waiting for an explanation. Of course, before I can speak, Joey opens his big gay mouth.
“Well,” he rests his chin on his hand, “Reese sent our sexy friend here a note with some flour saying he was sorry about fucking up and would love to see her again.” His grin cracks his face open. “Isn’t that fantastic?”
She stares at us with a furrowed brow. “Are you serious? Oh, damn it, I meant to confront him at the wedding after you left, Dyl, but he actually disappeared pretty soon after you did. Besides,” she straightens out her skirt, “I was a bit preoccupied. Wait, did you say he sent you flour? As in baking flour?” I nod and she raises her eyebrows, her mouth slowly forming an O. “Ah, instead of the traditional flowers. That’s actually pretty clever.”
I stomp my foot. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why am I the only person who didn’t get that? And it wasn’t clever. It was stupid, because he’s stupid.”
“Wow, you’re really gutting him with that insult,” Joey states sarcastically as I pull my apron off. I throw it at his face.
“Well?” I ask, turning to Juls.
“Well what?”
“Can I come with you?”
“Oh, hell yes. I would love to see you chew him a new one. I can’t stand cheaters.” We both move toward the door as I nod in agreement.
“Hey! What about me?” Joey yells.
I turn my head. “You need to stay here and man the shop. What, did you think I was going to close down for this?”
“Goddamn it! This is why we need another employee, Dylan. I fucking miss everything.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll give you all the details after I cut off his testicles.” Juls and I walk out of the shop together and toward her car as I give myself a mental pep talk. Yell first then remove balls or remove balls then yell? Hell, does it matter?
I’m slowly beginning to lose my edge as we walk into the crisp sleek foyer of the Walker & Associates building. Juls’ heels are clicking on the marble and I inwardly curse myself for not changing my outfit before I so bravely decided this was a good idea. I’m wearing a pale blue button up shirt, skinny jeans that are dusted in flour, and my favorite ballet flats. This would have been so badass if I was wearing something sexy and revealing, showing Reese what he will never touch again. Damn it, Dylan. Think next time. At least my hair and makeup are on point. We step off the elevators onto the twelfth floor and I follow closely behind her, unsure where to go.
“Nervous?” she asks as she walks up to a small reception area.
“Nope, but he better be.” She throws her head back and laughs as I wiggle my brows.
“Julianna Wicks for Ian Thomas, please,” she says to the pretty receptionist who smiles and picks up the phone, talking softly into it. She ends the call quickly.
“Go right in, Ms. Wicks.”
She shrugs playfully. “I fucking love this shit. My man is so important that I need to check-in with someone before I barge in.” I giggle at her and follow her through a closed door after she knocks quietly.