In a Book Club Far Away(63)

Still, sometimes she was jealous of their small bonding moments. If she and Logan had worked out, it would’ve made everything so much easier, for all of them. Right now, with how much Miko clamored to spend time with him, she wished she was a part of that fun, too.

She pulled herself out of her meandering thoughts. “Speaking of, sweetie. Ask Lola to help you pack, okay? Since you’re going camping, I don’t want you to forget anything. You can’t just pack T-shirts and your LEGO sets and one flip-flop like last time.”

He laughed, and she imagined his bright, wide grin. “Okay, Mom.”

“Okay.” Regina caught a whiff of sugar, a reminder of her appointment, and she turned, facing the storefront of Just Cakes, across the street. An outline of a figure passed through the front windows. Her insides fluttered.

“Mom?”

And then her flutter crashed into the door of her conscience. Miko was part of her package, and she’d soon have to address it if this crush with Henry grew. Which meant she couldn’t let that flutter get out of control.

No one could be above Miko.

“Yes, babe.”

“Are you having fun?”

“Me? Yeah, sure, but I’m not here for fun. I’m here to help your Ninang Adelaide out.”

“Can’t you do both?”

“I can, I suppose.”

“Do you know what Daddy said?”

Her next words came out wryly. “What did your father say?”

“He said that you two had so much fun once.”

The statement stunned her. Logan had said those same words to her long ago, during a fight. She’d accused him of being irresponsible, and he answered back that she’d lost the ability to have fun.

“Is that what he said?” She clicked on the messages app on her phone, to Logan’s last text, which was a short thread about their camping logistics. She shot him a text:

You told our son that we had fun once?



I mean, did we not?



Not cool to disrespect me in front of our child.



How was that disrespect?



Logan.



Reg.





She took back her previous wish that she and Logan had worked out. A good father did not equate to a good partner.

She mustered a sweet tone for Miko. “Well, honey, you just remind your daddy about all the fun you and I have on Friday movie nights.”

“I will. We do have so much fun.”

“Yes, we do.” She stood then, catching sight of Henry at the doorway. He was leaning on the doorjamb, staring right at her, hands in his pockets. All at once, her heart jumped in her chest. “I’ve got to go, okay, hon? I’ll call you later.”

“Bye, Mom.”

She took off her earbuds and tucked her devices in her pocket. Henry straightened and walked curbside as she crossed the street. Oh, to have a man greet her like this every day.

Henry’s smile was genuine, he wore that apron so confidently, and he smelled so sweet—from the sugar he worked with, undoubtedly—that she suddenly craved him. She wanted to touch him.

So she did, leaning up for a hug. “Hey.”

After a moment’s hesitance, his arm linked around her waist, and the strength of his hold, lifting her lightly, took her breath away. “Hi. I’m glad you made it.”

After he set her back down, she swooned ever so slightly. “Me, too. Is your event over?”

“It is. You have perfect timing. You ready for some sugar?”

Why the idea of baked goods turned her on, she didn’t know, but her face heated with pleasure. “I am.” She followed him into the bakery, where she was greeted by a dimmed room with candles lit at every round tasting table. Twinkle lights were draped across the ceiling, casting a romantic glow. Soft jazz music piped through the surround-sound speakers. “Oh, wow.”

The kitchen door swung open, and a woman stepped out, untying her apron. “So I’m heading out. Henry, don’t forget to…” She startled. “Oh, hello, there.”

Regina stunned, said, “Wow, hi. I’m Regina Castro.”

“Carolina Just.” Carolina took her hand, a smile on her face. She was the female version of Henry, though an inch shorter. She had the same orange-red hair, the same pink cheeks, and the same warm demeanor.

“I… I know.” Regina covered her mouth with a hand. “I’m sorry, I’m a little starstruck. You once made a six-layer Doctor Who cake with all the doctors included.”

“Thank you. It was a feat, so I’ll take the compliment. I’m pleased to meet you, too, Regina. So you’re the reason why my brother insisted on taking over our IG account.”

“Okay, sis, don’t you have to go?” Henry said.

She laughed. “Yes, yes. I, too, have a rendezvous.” She took off her apron with a flourish and hung it on a hook.

Regina’s cheeks burned. Was this a rendezvous?

“And with whom?” Henry asked.

“None of your beeswax.” She winked at Regina as she passed. “But I hope to see you again soon, Regina. Glad to meet you, finally.” She opened the door with a hand up for a final wave.

Regina was still rooted to her spot. “That. That was Carolina Just.”