I wanted to think that comment was meant for me. But I’d had my momma’s baking and knew it was meant for the treats. “My momma can have that affect.”
He stopped on the other side of the counter and studied me for a moment. I wanted to fidget and fix my hair. Make sure my breath was clean and that nothing was out of place. He seemed so polished and perfect. Was he finding all my flaws?
“I’m sure your mother brings in tons of people with her talented baking. However, I was referring to you.”
I wanted to respond, but what do I say, flirting wasn’t my habit, something I practiced daily. Now I wished I had practiced more. It could be helpful at a time like this.
“I’ve made you nervous. Surely you get attention from the men in this town on a regular basis?”
Men, no, not men, I wouldn’t call the boys here men. They were still drinking beer and swimming in the lake and none of them had a goal to be more than Moulton offered.
“Honestly, other than work here and at home, I don’t go out much.”
Now I sounded completely boring.
“Your mother’s smart. If she let you out you’d be married within the year.”
I laughed. My momma would love for me to be married. I shook my head. “No, that’s not it. I just don’t want this life. I plan to get out of Moulton, out of Alabama for good. I want to see the world. Not marry a farmer and have a bunch of babies just like everyone else.”
He smiled and bit his lip. Not one I’d seen before. People around here always mocked me, grinning with spite and arrogance. As if I was dreaming too big. His smile was more appreciative.
“What’s your number one?” he asked.
“My what?”
“The first place on your list of places you want to see.”
Oh, well, that was hard. But I would have to say “New York. Manhattan to be exact.”
“Fifth Avenue?” he added, reading my mind.
I nodded.
“It’s a nice place to visit but not to live. I tried it once and only lasted a year before I headed back to Tennessee.”
Tennessee? He lived in Tennessee? That was a let down. Although I was sure he lived in a nice big house somewhere expensive. It was still the south. He looked like he belonged somewhere bigger. Brighter. Shinier.
“You look disappointed,” he said. He was either very perceptive or I was just easy to read.
“Oh, no. I just didn’t expect you to live in Tennessee. I was surprised.”
He let out a chuckle then turned his attention to the display. “What do you suggest today?”
He was changing the subject and I was so thankful I moved over to the case and opened it up. “The chocolate cupcakes have raspberry cream inside. Fresh raspberries are in them also. The cobbler is nice and warm.” I couldn’t even sell the cobbler to him. I was terrible. He might not even buy me something today. I should have tried harder with the cobbler. It was delicious. It just wasn’t a mystery.
“I’ll take four cupcakes,” he replied.
I boxed them and placed them on the counter. “Coffee?” I asked him.
“Please.”
After fixing his coffee I handed it to him. “Nine dollars and fifteen cents,” I told him.
He reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty, guiding it across the counter. “I don’t need the change,” he said. He then opened his box and lifted a cupcake, which left me three again. I wanted to ask him why three, but he turned to exit the bakery. I watched him retreat, then stop, revolving to look right at me. It made my stomach do a little flip.
“Thank you for the cupcakes,” I said, quickly before I forgot.
“I have a penthouse in Manhattan, Chicago and Boston. A cabin in Colorado, and a townhouse in San Francisco.” Then he tuned and left. Just like that. As if nothing more needed to be added, said or otherwise mentioned. I myself had nothing to add. I lived in a room with my sisters. Sometimes we confused our panties. I couldn’t imagine having five residences. Or even having a room to myself.