Stay Sweet(66)

“Break’s over. I want to bring the ice cream down and let Cate taste it. And the other girls too.”

Grady threads a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. “Can I come with you? I want to see them freak out when they taste how great this is.”

They both roll off the couch, grinning and goofy and suddenly shy with each other. Amelia smooths her hair, makes sure her shirt is tucked in tight. Grady does the same, picks up her drum of ice cream, and holds her hand until they reach the front door. There’s a pause where a kiss might go, but they smile at each other instead, owning this secret.





CHAPTER THIRTY


IT’S A QUARTER TO ELEVEN and a line is forming. Cate has not arrived yet, but the other girls who are on shift—Jen and Mansi—sit by the stand door, waiting.

“Oh! Hi!” Amelia says. She passes the drum to Grady and takes out her key. “I didn’t realize you were waiting. I can let you both in.”

They barely manage a smile for her.

Cate being upset with her is bad enough. But all the stand girls disappointed in her? It makes Amelia’s heart hurt.

A voice behind her says snarkily, “Already at it, huh?” Amelia turns and sees Cate walk in and hang her purse on one of the hooks. “I’m not late,” she announces defensively. “It’s not eleven yet.”

“No one said you were,” Amelia says.

Grady can clearly sense the tension. After clearing his throat, he calls out, “Hey, girls! I want everyone in the office for a second. Amelia’s got some great news to share!” He nudges Amelia, as if to remind her of the happiness she felt moments ago.

Cate and the other girls flop onto the love seat. Amelia races off to the main room of the stand and returns with plastic spoons.

“I . . . found Molly Meade’s recipes last night. That was the reason I missed the party,” Amelia tells Mansi and Jen. “And this morning I made my very first batch of Home Sweet Home. I think it came out pretty okay.”

“Okay?” Grady pops up. “Don’t be modest! You girls won’t be able to tell the difference.”

“If she’s using Molly Meade’s exact recipes, why would we?” says Cate.

“Because there are a lot of variables,” Grady says. “Making ice cream isn’t an easy thing to do. Trust me, I know.”

Amelia makes eye contact with Cate, tries to draw Cate’s focus away from Grady. “I’m excited for you to try it.” She hands Cate a spoonful. And Jen and Mansi too. They all taste at the same time.

Jen and Mansi don’t react. They both look at Cate. As if they need her permission.

“Are we done here?” Cate asks.

Amelia knows Cate’s trying to be hurtful, because Cate’s hurt. She tries to shake it off. “I should be able to get a couple more batches done today. And after this sits in the freezer for fifteen minutes, it’ll be ready to scoop. We can take the Sold Out sign down.”

“So now you’ll be at the farmhouse, making ice cream for the rest of the summer,” Cate says icily.

“For now, yes,” Grady interjects. “But once we’re caught up, Amelia will be back down here with everyone.”

“It shouldn’t take me long,” Amelia says.

Cate checks her phone for the time. “It’s after eleven. I need to open.”

Amelia nods. “Right. Sorry.”

Jen and Mansi scurry out past Grady. He closes the office door. “Hey, Cate, hang back for a minute, okay? I’d like to talk to you about something.”

Cate makes a big show of sitting back down.

Amelia tries pulling Grady aside. She doesn’t want him inserting himself into their friendship drama. She knows he’s trying to help, but it’ll only make things worse.

He gives her a quick thumbs-up, which frankly only makes her more anxious.

Stepping around the desk, he says, “First off, I’d like to personally apologize to you for last night.”

Cate glances over her manicure, seeming bored. “You don’t owe me an apology, never mind a personal one.”

“Well . . . it’s my fault that Amelia missed out on her plans with you and the other girls. She didn’t want to go with me to the beach. She wanted to be with you. The last thing Amelia would want to do is let you down.”

“Grady, if you want to talk with me about the business, cool. Otherwise, I’m not interested in discussing my personal life, my relationships, with you.”

Amelia feels a tightness in her chest, seeing Cate model the way Amelia could have dealt with Grady from the get-go.

“But this has to do with business,” Grady insists. “Cate, you brought up a good point earlier. For the time being, Amelia will have to concentrate on production. I don’t want things falling through the cracks here because she’s focused on making ice cream. I said as much to her on our ride back to Sand Lake, and she suggested that I promote you to Head Girl.”

Cate’s mouth opens, then closes. “Wait. Are you serious?” She turns toward Amelia. “Really?”

Amelia, as surprised as Cate is, smiles back, because she’s happy to see Cate happy. Happy like someone switched a light on inside her.

Grady goes on. “Amelia’s constantly telling me what a great job you’re doing down here, how protective you are with the younger girls, and how much you’ve been picking up the slack. I know the circumstances have been challenging, but I’m hoping we can move forward from here and have a great rest of the summer.”