Wiping her hands, she walked around the counter and gave Mike a big bear hug. Rori noted the wedding band on the woman’s hand at about the same moment the woman chose to give her a look over.
“And who’s this beauty?” she said, releasing Mike.
Mike stepped away and motioned to Rori. “This is Rori, and she’s looking to get a present for my mom, so I told her this was the only place to come.”
The woman reached up and gave his cheek a solid pat. “Such a smart boy.”
Mike sent the woman a little smile before looking back at Rori. “Rori, this is Wendy and she owns this place.”
“Good to meet you, Wendy.” Rori offered her hand, only to be surprised when she was pulled into a hug all of her own.
“You’ve got a winner with him,” Wendy said quietly into her ear, so only Rori could hear. “You’ll hold onto him if you’re smart.”
Rori faltered, knowing what she needed correct the woman’s assumption.
“I’m not so sure,” Rori said, offering Mike a coy glance. “What about Luke?”
Wendy’s sly smile grew, looking between them as if she knew a secret. “Well, I think we all know what’s going to happen there.”
They all knew what was going to happen there? Really? Rori glanced at Mike, noting that he didn’t look confused at the statement. Did that mean he knew?
“I’m trying a new recipe,” Wendy said, walking back behind the counter. “I need a man’s opinion.”
“Well, twist my arm,” Mike said, even as Rori wondered how often a man with his physique ate dessert. Not often, she was quite certain.
“I want a Father’s Day special, but you know how men are,” Wendy said, as if there was nothing else to be said on the matter. “I was trying to think of bacon options, but it’s all just too gross for me, you know? My husband loves the bacon and syrup pastries, but I honestly don’t think I could keep in them in the bakery without gagging. Too foul and they would scare the women away. Plus the bacon smell can cling to the frosting of other cupcakes, which is totally ew!”
“Could you keep them separately?” he said, pointing to a small refrigerator that held ready-made cookie dough.
Wendy’s expression turned stern. “Did you not hear me, Mike? I said, EW!”
“My bad,” he said, looking appropriately chastised. “So what’s Plan B?”
Wendy retrieved a chocolate croissant with the flourish of a magician. “Chocolate-filled, chocolate croissant!”
Mike regarded the chocolate creation with some skepticism. “With bacon?”
Wendy gave his arm a slap even as Rori fought a smile.
“What’s wrong with you men?” Wendy roared. “Must things be gross to appeal to you?”
“No,” he said, taking the croissant from her. “They just need to be manly. Something that makes other men covet or respect you.”
He bit into the croissant then, which had Wendy’s expression turning unabashedly hopeful. He chewed a few times before passing the croissant Rori’s direction. She shouldn’t try it. She could hear her mother’s voice in her head declining it. But being both curious and starving, she accepted the croissant, ignoring the light brush of their fingers as it passed between them.
“It’s good,” Mike said.
“Yeah?” Wendy said, beaming. “Father’s Day good?”
Mike moved his hand side-to-side just as Rori bit in to the dessert. Divine. Contrary to Mike’s feedback, there was nothing so-so about it.
“I’d say it’s Mother’s Day good,” he said. “It’s like the dessert Amy makes and calls Better than Sex—which totally pisses by brother off, by the way.”
Wendy wiggled her eyebrows. “Your brother should just bring it into the bedroom and give her both at the same time. Then see what she says.”
A light blush rose on Mike’s face, which mesmerized Rori for some reason. That a guy like him could blush so easily? It made her wonder what else would make him blush.
He cleared his throat. “The point is, chop up a few jalapeños, or something, and stick in that chocolate filling and then you’ll have yourself a Father’s Day dessert. As is, it’s totally girly.”
Wendy’s eyes grew the size of saucers. “Jalapeños? Oh, I could kiss you! That’s perfect!” She looked around manically. “Oh, you make me want to start right now, but I don’t have any jalapeños.”
“We’re headed to the store,” he said. “I can pick you up some, no problem. We’ll grab them while you put our order together.”
“Of course,” Wendy beamed, eyes bright. “Red velvet, then? Chocolate?” Her face fell, immediately distressed. “I’m