She suspected they were mother and daughter, judging by the resemblance. Theory confirmed—the popularity of Sugar Daddy’s wasn’t simply because the pastries were delicious. Customers also came hoping for a glimpse of the elusive CinnaMan.
Can’t believe I told him about that nickname. What was I thinking?
She wallowed in that embarrassment for two minutes, and then promptly at eight, the same clerk as always unlocked the doors with a bright smile. Today, Danica made a point of reading her name tag, faintly embarrassed that she hadn’t done so before.
Maya, her name is Maya.
“Good morning, everyone. Come on in!”
As the first two women went inside, Danica asked, “Don’t you think we’re ridiculous, doing this for pastries?”
Maya shook her head. “Definitely not. When Titus got his driver’s license, we road tripped to Terre Haute to try those famous square donuts. And oh my God, they are so good. The lady told me that they often sell out of the glazed ones by 9:00 a.m.”
Surreptitiously, Danica entered “Terre Haute” and “square donuts” into her phone’s browser and read things like “best donuts in the world” and “best I’ve ever had.” Huh. I should try those. As she headed for the counter, other customers looked at the display case, but she was ready to pay. She even had her wallet out.
“A dozen cinnamon rolls?” Maya guessed.
“You know me so well.” She paid in cash and waited while the clerk boxed her order.
As Maya handed over the mint-green bakery box, she lowered her voice. “I’m overstepping here, but my brother is so awkward. Titus wants to ask you out, but he can’t decide if you’d be receptive. Since I’m a good person, I’ll help. Green or red light?”
“Green,” Danica said at once, as if her mouth weren’t connected to her brain.
Slow your roll, he’s a mundane. Gram will end you. And she’s here. Nothing gets past her. Just imagine how disappointed she’ll be.
Danica waffled mentally, trying to decide if she should change her answer. But…one date would be harmless, right? No risk. Just a little fun. Self-indulgence was good for the soul every now and then. But Gram…and the promise Danica had made with Clem…
By the time Danica decided to retract her response, Maya was saying, “I’ll clue him in. Have a great day, and don’t forget us for all your sweet needs!”
She managed a casual smile, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake. “Does he make you say that?”
“Nah, the slogan is just something I’m trying out. I don’t think it’s going to stick.”
“Pun intended?”
“I’m on a roll,” Maya tried.
“Well, I knead you to stop.”
“That’s a pun too, right? It’s hard to tell verbally, but I’m like 95 percent positive you said that with a silent K.”
“You would be right. I’ll get out of your way now.” Danica turned to go.
“Psst. You didn’t hear it from me, but when the weather’s nice, Titus likes to eat lunch on the memorial bench by the courthouse.”
“Interesting,” she said. “And what time does this usually take place?”
“Around one.”
Already on the way out, she smiled at the whispered response. Maya was full-on meddling in her brother’s love life, and Danica didn’t know how she felt about it. On one hand, she liked him. It was impossible not to. But things weren’t as simple as she wished they were. Not for her.
The bakery box didn’t fit in the basket of her bike, so she was on foot today, and she walked home to stow the cinnamon rolls. She didn’t have to be at work until two, a thank-you for covering while Clem was at the marketing seminar, so she cleaned the house in preparation for guests and then took a bath. At half past noon, she made lunch—a turkey sandwich, an apple, and a bottle of juice. Maybe I should eat here? Ignore what Maya said. The desire to see Titus again overwhelmed caution, and Danica headed for the square.
That meant walking by the shop, and she hurried past in case Clem saw her. Her cousin would wonder what she was up to, and Danica didn’t feel like explaining. This wasn’t anything to worry about. Even Gram couldn’t complain about her making new friends, right?
She had settled on the bench dedicated to Robert Andrew Langley beneath the elm tree and just taken the second bite of her sandwich when she glimpsed Titus in her peripheral vision. A zing zipped through her, like when her magic went haywire. Dammit, this can’t be happening already. Today, he wore the baker’s outfit without an apron, and it was a wonder more people weren’t intruding on his lunchtime peace.
Be cool. You didn’t know this is his spot. You’re not waiting for him.
Surreptitiously, Danica checked to be sure there was room on her other side. Normally, she’d sit square in the center and dare anyone to encroach on her space. Titus slowed, and then he seemed to make up his mind, walking toward her swiftly.
“Hey, mind if I join you?”
“Please do.” She made a show of gathering her supplies as if she hadn’t been lurking like a paparazzo.
Titus sat next to her, leaving enough space between them to put down his nylon lunch bag, bright blue with a happy yellow duck printed on it. “What’s on the menu today?”
“Turkey on rye, Gala apple, and orange-carrot juice.” She took a sip.
Titus made a face. “I was with you until the last item.”
“It’s better than it sounds, fresh ginger for an interesting zing.” But she didn’t offer him a taste because she hated when people foisted things on her that she’d already expressed disinterest in.
“That doesn’t look like a commercial bottle,” he noted.
“We make our own juices and use glass bottles that other stuff comes in. In the early days of Fix-It Witches, we had a fair amount of small appliances go unclaimed after they were dropped off. Some of them we kept.”
“I guess that means you have a fancy juicer?”
“Precisely. Got it for free, fixed it, and now I can make all the strangely delicious combinations my heart desires.”
“Like what?”
“Are we really having this conversation? You can’t be interested in my juices.” Oh God. I said that, didn’t I? I actually said it.
Titus made eye contact, keeping a straight face somehow. “I assure you that I am.”
“Oh. I see. Well then. Kale, lemon, and pear is a bit odd but surprisingly delicious. I also like grapefruit, lime, and mint together. There’s also my proprietary apple, cucumber, and celery blend.”