Kiss My Cupcake(36)

The timer on the vanilla buttercream goes off, and I slow down the speed so I can add the sugar and vanilla. “Your poor grandpa. Was he with her?”

“Yeah. It was rough there for a bit and running this place on his own was just too much, so things kind of slipped. I was working in finance and hating it, so Gramps gave me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

“Which was to bring this place back to life?” I supply.

“Yeah. He said if I could run it successfully for a year he’d loan me the money to start up my own brewery, which is something I’ve always wanted to do, but banks aren’t all that excited about giving you money for that kind of thing when you don’t have the entrepreneurial experience behind you.”

“Don’t I know it. It took me three years before the bank would give me a freaking loan for this place.”

“What’d you do before you set up shop here?”

“I had a cupcake truck.”

“Seriously?” He looks like he wants to laugh.

“Don’t knock it. I started out with tents at food festivals and then weekend market booths until eventually I had a pretty decent following. When I saved up enough I invested in a truck.”

“And you did that on your own?”

“Paul helped, actually.”

“What’s the deal with you two?” He gives me a curious look.

“He’s a friend, and he helped me get started. We worked together for almost five years.”

“And that’s all you’ve ever been? Friends?”

“Yup. We were good at being in business together, and even that had its limitations. But I learned a lot from him and he was a great mentor.”

“He never tried for more?” Ronan presses.

“Nope. Selling cupcakes out of a truck puts you in seriously close quarters with another person. He’s seen all my sides, the good, the bad and terrifying. Besides, getting in bed with a coworker or colleague is a recipe for disaster. Pun completely intended.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Yeah, can’t imagine it’s a great idea for a lot of reasons, although my gramps would likely disagree.”

“Those were different times, weren’t they?”

“Less complicated in a lot of ways, and yet more at the same time.” Ronan nods.

Twenty minutes later, I have batches of icing ready for decorating.

Ronan is practically drooling as he watches me put it in piping bags, so I get out a bunch of spoons and bowls and let him sample a bit of each as I decorate the cupcakes for dinner.

“I thought you weren’t opening up today.”

“I’m not.” I pipe chocolate mocha buttercream on the triple chocolate cupcake. “These are for my family dinner.” Although, half my family will probably make the sign of the cross at them. My mom and sisters are huge keto fans. The easy conversation shifts into that slightly awkward what-now limbo. “Do you usually spend Thanksgiving with your gramps?”

“Typically he was always here for Thanksgiving. Grams really loved the holiday and always wanted to make sure people who didn’t have family to celebrate with could go somewhere and have a nice dinner, which is why I ordered all the Cornish game hens. It’s been hard for Gramps to be here without her, though, so I told him I’d run things today. He went to my brother’s place. He’s staying there for a few days and won’t be back until Sunday sometime. You’re going to spend the day with your parents?”

“Yup. I haven’t seen them since I opened this place, so I’m due for a visit.” Before I can really consider what I’m saying I blurt, “You should come with me.”

Ronan’s eyebrows lift. “To your family Thanksgiving?”

“Yeah. Yes.” I nod slightly more vigorously than necessary. “You can’t spend the holiday alone. My parents always make a huge production of it. You need to stuff yourself with turkey and beer. It’ll be fun!” I’m not sure that fun is really the best description for my family events, but it’s too late to take it back now.

“I don’t know. I should probably plan for the rest of the weekend,” Ronan says slowly.

“You already have a plan, a post-Thanksgiving dinner. Come with me. No one should be alone during the holidays.”

He grins. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely positive.”

“Can I sample the cupcakes before we go?”

“Of course.” The eye roll and the duh are implied in my tone.

“Okay. I’m in.”

“Fabulous!”

What the hell have I just gotten myself into?





chapter ten





Turkey Time


Ronan



I’m not sure how to read Blaire’s reaction to my saying yes.

If I’m completely honest, the cupcakes are the clincher. They’re dangerously addictive. Like nicotine, or heroin, or cocaine—none of which has ever been an addiction of mine. Hence the reason I hastily agreed to spend an entire day with Blaire and her family when I know very little about her.

If nothing else, this should prove to be an entertaining day. Blaire is…a lot of personality. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. I’m still trying to figure her out and I guess now I’ll have the opportunity to do that.