Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,94

with Stella and Catalina, who I haven’t seen in years. Back in elementary school, we were friends, good friends, but then we got to junior high and she became a cheerleader and I started eating lunch in the library.

“Tempest,” Mindy greets as Cage and I walk up. “Welcome.”

I’m so glad I didn’t eat, because I’m pretty sure I could puke right now. All over her ridiculous hot pink dress.

Stella was serious. They’re all squeezed into their prom dresses, even Mindy, who just had a baby. I watch as she places her hands on her waist, almost as if to say, “look at me.”

“Hi,” I deadpan, forcing a smile, and then move to Stella and Catalina, giving them a forced one as well. And that’s when I see the look on Catalina’s face. She wants to say something, but Mindy probably has her on a tight leash, and a gag order.

If I had to guess, their pre-reunion pep talk probably went something like this: “The last ten years didn’t happen. Asher and Tempest were never married. If anyone brings up our affair or their divorce, you’re kicked off the island.”

“Catalina,” I say, focusing my attention on her as Mindy looks through a stack of badges. “I haven’t seen you in what… ten years? Oh, wait. You came to my wedding! That’s right. How have you been?”

I’m being petty. I know. But I can’t help myself. If Mindy can stand here acting like she’s the love child of Mother Teresa and a Victoria’s Secret runway model, then I can get in a passive dig.

Catalina’s face drops, but she quickly recovers, eyes darting toward Mindy and then back to me. “Yeah, it’s been…” she pauses, swallowing, “years. How have you been?”

“Great,” I say, glancing over at Mindy. “Never better.”

“Oh, pardon my rudeness,” I say, placing a hand on Cage’s firm, muscular chest. “This is Cage Erickson. My date.”

Cage’s hand slides around my waist and he pulls me to him in a possessive gesture. And I don’t just let him, I relish in it. If I could meld my body with his, I would.

Looking up at Cage, I make quick eye contact and give him a genuine smile. “You know Stella,” I tell him, turning my gaze to the bleached blonde at Mindy’s side. “And this is Mindy, who you’ve heard a lot about, and this is Catalina, we all go way back.”

He doesn’t miss a beat, stretching out his arm, shaking each of their hands. “Nice to meet you, ladies,” he says, effectively charming the pants off of them. Literally. Even though Stella acted completely put off last night when he mentioned working at the Pink Pony, she seems to be fully recovered from that now. I want to tell her to close her mouth. Drooling is very unladylike.

When Mindy screeches, my head whips in her direction, expecting for someone to be bleeding out or the building to be on fire. Instead, her cheeks are so red she looks like her head is getting ready to explode. I don’t miss the piece of paper she tries to discreetly crumple up in her hand as she lets it fall to her feet.

“Looks like they forgot to print you a badge,” she says, speaking through gritted teeth and a strained smile. “Stella, fix it.”

I glance up at Cage who’s fighting back a laugh and it dawns on me what must’ve happened.

If I had to guess, someone—not sure who—made my badge with my married name. That’s the only thing that would elicit that kind of reaction from her. And that’s just not going to fly tonight. No way. It would put a huge crack in the facade Mindy is so painfully trying to maintain. That’s okay, because I wouldn’t have worn it anyway.

But I would love to know who did that.

And give them a high five.

Tell them to stop by the bakery.

Muffins on me.

After Stella scribbles our names down on two blank badges, she hands them to us. “Have a nice night,” she sneers. “Bar’s at the back. Dinner will be served at seven.”

Deciding to be the bigger person, I smile back and make it as genuine as I can manage. “Thanks… and good to see you, Catalina.”

She gives me an awkward half wave and then turns to the people who walk in behind us.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Cage keeps his hand around my waist and squeezes. “Well, that was fun,” he chuckles, his lips brushing the ridge of my ear. “You handled that like