The Cupcake Coven by Ashlyn Chase

allowed friends to help. Customers had been streaming in all morning. Dru had gone out with a few samples and had just come back with orders—lots of orders from the looks of the stack he handed her.
    “Wow. Are all of these filled out?”
    “Yup. I only have a couple of blank order forms left.” He plunked down the clipboard and empty sample tray.
    “I’m amazed.”
    “Why? Your products are the best advertisement you have.”
    She smiled. “And then, there’s you.”
    “And then there’s me.” He leaned toward her, and she was sure she was getting a kiss until the little bell over the door jangled.
    Darn. He straightened and said, “Howdy. Can I help you?”
    From the grin on the customer’s face, Rebecca wasn’t the only one enamored with her Texas cowboy.
    “Why, yes you can. I noticed you giving away samples earlier. I just thought I’d stop in and see what else you have to offer.”
    The green-eyed monster hit Rebecca right in the gut. How dare this woman… er—customer. That’s right, Rebecca. She’s a customer. That thing you need to pay your rent.
    Dru grinned right back at her. Then he strolled behind the counter and became Rebecca’s best salesman. Her only salesman. She decided to go back to the kitchen so as not to interfere with a potential sale…and to make it look like she trusted him. What was he? Her boyfriend? She didn’t even know.
    They hadn’t become lovers yet, but she was pretty sure they were headed that way. Should she try to define their relationship or let it grow organically? She should…
    Dru poked his head around the corner. “You got any brownies?”
    She should bake some brownies. That’s what she should do.
    “Not at the moment, but I can have some ready in an hour or so.”
    He blew her a kiss and returned to the storefront.
    Rebecca relaxed. Of course he wasn’t going to run off with a female customer—even if she was a well-dressed, pretty woman—and rich by the looks of her jewelry, especially that rock on her middle finger. She was probably divorced. Rebecca could only hope that meant she was a royal bitch.
    She stared at her own blank fingers. Rings wouldn’t stay clean in her business. She could wear a necklace, but how silly would that look under her white baker’s jacket? She avoided earrings since, Goddess forbid, one of them could fall off and wind up in her turnovers.
    The whole time she was ruminating, she went through the motions of gathering her ingredients to start making brownie batter.
    The little bell out front tinkled, and that meant either her rival had gone or was joined by more. Rebecca mentally shook a finger at herself. Jealousy sucks. Don’t fall into that trap. She hummed instead.
    A few minutes later, Dru joined her in the kitchen. “Hey, there, beautiful. Sounds like a pretty tune you’re hummin’.”
    “Hey, yourself.” She smiled as if to say she was in a good mood, even though she was clearly faking it. “Business is booming. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”
    He came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “It’s a double-edged sword, as they say. The busier we are, the less time we have to make out.” His hot whisper tickled her ear.
    She chuckled and her mood improved. “I wish—” She didn’t have time to finish her sentence, because the little bell out front announced another customer.
    “Hold that thought,” Dru said and kissed her cheek.
    He strolled to the store and she heard him say, “Can I help…Excuse me, you can’t go back there.”
    Rebecca glanced over at the figure striding in and almost groaned aloud. It was her father. He was looking older. More gray appeared in his temples every time she saw him. Dru followed close on his heels.
    “It’s okay, Dru. This is my dad.”
    Dru halted. “Oh!” Then he switched to his charming smile and stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Colby. I’m Dru Tanner.”
    “Southern accent. I’m guessing Mississippi or Louisiana.”