“You’re a natural at this,” I inform her. “Want a job?”
She giggles and pats her white apron that is roughly four sizes too big for her small body. “I’m too young to work.”
“I guess so,” I agree with an exaggerated sigh. “But one day, you’ll be great at this.”
She smiles widely, showing off a missing tooth. “I’m glad I got to come here today instead of staying with Abby.”
“You don’t like Abby?” I ask as I rearrange the almost-empty glass case.
“I love her, but sometimes it’s boring.” She pouts a bit and then jumps in, helping me.
I smile to myself and step slightly to my right, making room for her.
“We just hang out at her house and watch TV all day. Summer is boring.”
“Does your dad do stuff with you on his day off?” I ask. I wonder where her mom is!
“Yeah, Dad’s days off are the best. But he works a lot.” She shrugs and eyes the strawberry cupcakes. She’s already had two today.
“You can take all of the strawberry ones that are left home with you today,” I say, earning a big smile. “We’ll consider it your pay for all of your help.”
“Wow! Thank you!” She hugs my waist tightly. “They are my favorite.”
“I’m going to lock the door, Nic,” Anastasia says.
“Sounds good, thanks.”
“We’re closing already?” Casey asks with a frown.
“Yep, it’s closing time. But I have to mix some frosting for tomorrow morning. Do you want to help?”
“Yes!” She races into the kitchen, eager to help.
“I think you have a new best friend.” Anastasia laughs. “I’ll handle the cleanup out here so you can get prepped for tomorrow.”
“Thanks. Just let me know if you need me.”
I walk into the kitchen to find Casey waiting for me by my large stainless steel work station.
The same one that Matt made love to me on just a few weeks ago.
“Okay, let’s get to work.”
I hand her ingredients and bowls, and she and I work together, measuring and mixing. She’s funny and sharp as a tack, catching on quickly.
“Justin Bieber is so not cool anymore,” she says with an eye roll. “Austin Mahone is hot.”
“He’s hot?” I ask with a laugh. “Aren’t you too young to think that anyone is hot?”
“Yes, definitely,” Asher replies as he and Matt walk into the kitchen.
“Daddy!” She thrusts the bowl she’s holding into my hands and runs to her father, jumping into his arms. “I’m a worker bee now!”
“You are?” he asks with a laugh.
“That’s what Nic said. Right, Nic?”
“You’re an excellent worker bee,” I agree, nodding my head.
“Were you a good girl?” Asher asks her.
“I helped all day! Nic let me serve customers and make frosting and I met Leo Nash!”
“Leo stopped in this morning,” I add, laughing. “She thought that was pretty cool.”
Casey smiles and nods and hugs her dad, then squirms out of his arms and hugs Matt around the waist. “Hi, Uncle Matt.”
“Hi, munchkin.” He squats next to her and tweaks her nose. “I’m glad you had fun today.”
“Can I come back tomorrow?” she asks as she throws her arms around Matt’s neck, hugging him tightly.
“No, you’ll be back with Abby tomorrow,” Asher replies.
“Oh.” Casey pulls out of Matt’s arms and looks at me with longing.
I’m such a sucker.
“Maybe, if your dad says it’s okay, you can come here once a week, as a treat.”
“Can I, Daddy?” She clasps her hands together over her chest and bounces on the balls of her feet. “Please?”
“Nic, you don’t have to…”
“I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t like having her here,” I reply honestly. “She’s a joy, Asher. I would love to spend a day with her each week, at least until summer is over.”
Asher looks at Matt, who just smiles and shrugs, staying out of it.
“Please, Daddy?”
“If you really don’t mind, Casey would love it,” Asher begins hesitantly. “But I don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense.” I turn back to my frosting, bag it up and put it in the fridge. “She’s a big help. The customers love her. And”—I hand Casey her box full of leftover strawberry cupcakes—“she works for cupcakes. We all win here.”
“Well, then, I think you two have a standing date.”
“Thank you!” Casey hands her father her box, and I barely have time to stoop to catch her as she throws herself into my arms. She’s so slender, so sweet. She smells like vanilla and shampoo, and I hug her tightly for just a moment.
“You’re welcome, sweetie. I’ll see you next week, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Let’s go, bubba.” Asher takes Casey’s hand and waves to us. “I’ll see you on Thursday, Matt.”
“Get some sleep,” Matt calls out, his gaze still pinned on mine.
His eyes are hot and full of lust and something else that sends tingles through me and makes ravenous butterflies set up camp in my belly.
“How are you?” I ask.
“Hungry,” he replies and slowly moves toward me.
“Nic, I’m leaving, too! See you tomorrow!” Anastasia calls out.
“Thank you, Anastasia!” I pull my apron off and toss it in the hamper. “I have dinner going upstairs.”
“You do?” he asks softly and reaches out to brush his knuckles down my cheek. “That’s not all I’m hungry for, you know.”
“Well, it’s a good place to start,” I reply shakily. “Then we can work our way to other things.”
“Bossy little thing, aren’t you?” He chuckles.
“It was just a suggestion.” I lift one shoulder in a shrug, watching his mouth as he licks his bottom lip.
“Are you finished here?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go home.” He takes my hand in his and lifts it to his lips, kissing each knuckle softly. “I want to spend some time with you. Enjoy you.” He leans in and kisses the apple of my cheek, then pulls his lips down to my ear. “Then lose myself in you until we both pass out.”