Neve (Silver Skates #3) - Helen Scott Page 0,27

you could be the family she’s been looking for, a way to not feel so alone in the world.”

“She has four mates. I don’t think she’s worried about being alone in the world.” He snorted.

“Four mates? What do you do with that much dick?” I slapped my hand over my mouth as a grin spread over Mr. Redhead’s face. I quickly added, “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that, I was just surprised. That being said, mates are not the same as siblings or parents. It’s a different kind of love. Listen, why don’t you come in with me and you can make small talk while I decide what to get. Then, if you want, you can introduce yourself, or I can just place my order and we can leave.”

“You don’t even know me.” His eyebrows were raised as though he wasn’t sure whether to be suspicious of my motives or not.

“Maybe I want to.” It was all I said as I stepped up toward him and held my arm out.

Without missing a beat, he hooked his arm through mine and said, “I’m Colden by the way.”

I patted his hand. “I’m Neve. It’s nice to meet you, Colden. Let’s go meet Buttercup.”

The front of the store was dominated by a large pink door, as well as a big picture window that let any passersby see most of the shop with a view that was only moderately obstructed, and even then, it was only by delicious looking cakes and other treats. A bell above the door rang merrily as we walked in, Colden holding it open for me.

A blonde woman stood behind the counter. As soon as the bell rang, she looked up from some paperwork that was strewn across the countertop. “Welcome to Buttercup’s Bake Shop!” Her gray-blue eyes sparkled, and her smile could light up a room.

A large man came out of the door to the back of the shop and smiled briefly at us before going over to Buttercup and wrapping his arms around her curvy body. In any other situation, that would have been the most shocking thing, but it wasn’t. The man was the epitome of what I imagined a demon to look like—red skin, horns, a tail, the whole nine yards.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he practically growled into her ear before kissing her neck in a way that had her blushing.

“Magnus, there are customers. Behave,” she hissed as she tried to squirm out of his grasp.

“I’m sure the incubus understands, even if he’s not full blooded,” Magnus said as his eyes shifted to Colden.

For a moment, my heart stuttered in my chest, but then I remember what he said outside about his father being an incubus and I calmed down again. Buttercup had successfully detangled herself from her mate and was now standing in front of me with only the glass display case of goodies separating us.

“What are some of your most popular items?” I asked.

“Unicorn cupcakes are always popular. My latest donut, the Sour Sour Cream is proving to be a winner, then there’s always the macarons and croissants.” I followed where she gestured with each item she listed, and everything my gaze landed on looked amazing. The cupcakes were covered in rainbow frosting and had cute little fondant ears and a horn with eyelashes painted on as well. The donuts were mouthwatering, the macarons had the perfect filling to base and top ratio, and the croissants looked perfectly crispy and flakey.

“Sour Sour Cream?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“It’s a sour cream donut with a lemony glaze that is just the right side of sweet, but it has some bite to it,” she said with a smile, clearly proud of her work.

“Sounds delicious. I’d like to look around for a moment if that’s okay.”

“Of course, take your time.” She walked off, back to her paperwork, and I turned and shot a meaningful look to Colden.

He seemed to get my meaning, because he cleared his throat and said, “So, how’s the bakery business?”

Ugh. That is not what I meant by small talk.

Buttercup looked up at him with confusion on her features. She glanced over at me, and when she found me watching the two of them, she only looked even more confused.

“Have you seen the Silver Springs Blades play yet?” Colden asked, completely ignoring the weirded out vibes coming off Buttercup. The guy seemed so nervous that he was clamming up then blurting out the most random questions.

I didn’t want it to go badly for him.