Her mouth gaped. She quickly regained her composure. “Why would you do that? If you want a cherry turnover that bad, all you have to do is ask.”
He would make sure and set those aside for himself. “I have some extra guests,” he said, which was the truth, but just part of it. “I want to make sure there’s enough for everyone.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll get them boxed up.”
He glanced around. “Are you the only one here?”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. I have a couple employees meeting me at your estate.”
“Let me give you a hand.” He slipped off his coat.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Sure I do. I’m the one who insisted on the extra items. The least I can do is give you a hand boxing them up.” He didn’t mention that he’d noticed the dark smudges under her eyes. She was working too hard and not getting enough sleep. At least he hoped that’s all it was.
They worked together, packing up all the delicious treats. Simon snagged one of the cherry turnovers. He couldn’t wait until later. His palate had been in withdrawal for weeks now. He was only so strong.
“Look at the time.” There was mild panic in Pepper’s voice. “With the traffic, I’m going to be late.”
“Not if you leave now.”
“But there’s still all of this to load in the van.”
“I’ll help you.”
This time she didn’t argue. They moved the baked goods on carts out to the delivery van painted in white with big black polka dots all over it and the logo for the Polka Dotted Bakery painted in bubblegum pink and lime green. He couldn’t help but smile. It was unique, just like its owner.
The truck was quite full when they were done and Simon wasn’t sure what he was going to do with all the extra food, but he would deal with that problem later.
He climbed out of the back of the van. “You’re good to go.”
She stood frowning.
“What’s the matter?”
“I forgot something.” And then her eyes widened. “My backpack. It’s on the counter.”
When she went to turn and rush back inside, he reached out to her. “You stay here. Close up the van and I’ll grab your stuff.”
She nodded.
He ran back inside the bakery. The only problem was that there were a lot of counters. His gaze moved around the kitchen in a counter clockwise manner. And then he spotted her red and white backpack as well as the digital tablet next to the stove. He rushed over and grabbed them.
He moved too quickly and the backpack knocked over a tall stack of business cards, as well as some papers. A frustrated groan formed deep in his throat. He rushed to clean up the mess. He guessed that Pepper meant to take the business cards with her to hand out at the party. He took most of them and her backpack. He flipped off the lights, exited the building and, using the keys Pepper had placed in the door earlier, locked it.
She was in the back of the van, doing something with one of the boxes.
“I’ve got it,” he called out.
“Okay. This is all set.” She climbed out, closed the door and turned to him. “I just have to set the alarm system.”
She rushed back inside. He checked the time. It was most definitely late, and it was his fault for insisting on taking her extra pastries. He owed it to Pepper to make sure she arrived on time. He called his driver to tell him to head to Connecticut without him. Simon had just hung up when she returned.
“I’m never going to make it on time,” she said.
“You will if you take a couple of shortcuts I’ve learned.”
She shook her head. “I’ll just get lost. I’m going whatever way my phone app tells me.”
“Trust me. I’ll show you the way.”
“You?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Think of it this way. The longer you stand here arguing with me, the later you’ll be.”
Her lips pressed together in a firm line. And unhappiness was written all over her face. “Fine. Let’s go.”
He hadn’t imagined the day taking this most unexpected twist. What would they talk about? On second thought, it was probably best to remain quiet. This was going to be a very interesting ride indeed.
WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?
The last time she’d been alone with this man, her world had come undone. Pepper kept her gaze focused on the busy roadway. But she couldn’t ignore Simon’s presence. With him next to her, it felt as though the interior of the van had shrunk.
He was so close that she could reach out and touch him—like they’d done after his party to announce the launch of his Pet Playground stores. They’d been hand in hand as Simon drove them back to his place. They’d laughed. They’d talked. The exact opposite of now.
She quietly followed Simon’s instructions as she weaved her way through traffic. Even with Simon’s input, it still wasn’t a quick journey.
And with hustling out the door, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d turned everything off. She hated rushing. It left room for error and she always strived for perfection, though she never reached it. But she’d grabbed everything for the party and she’d set the alarm.
Still, worry niggled at her.
“What’s the matter?” Simon asked.
“Did I turn off the lights?”
“You did.”
“Did I lock the front door?”
“You did.”
“Did I get everything?”
“Pepper, what’s the matter?”
She sighed. “I just have the feeling I’m forgetting something.”
“I don’t think you have to worry. Everything is under control.”
She hoped he was right.
Other than some instructions on where to turn, silence fell back over the van. It wasn’t a comfortable silence. In place of conversation was a strained void. She should have refused his offer to ride with her. But then she would most definitely be late and that would be very bad, especially if this guest list was anything like his last party.
She couldn’t help glancing around in traffic just to make sure the paparazzi weren’t following them. Thankfully, they weren’t. She glanced over at Simon as he lounged back in his seat, checking messages on his phone.
The silence in the van was deafening. She reached over and turned on the radio. She adjusted the tuner to a station that played nothing but Christmas tunes. Andy Williams’s “Sleigh Ride” was playing. At least it was upbeat, unlike her passenger. She turned it up.
She chanced a quick glance at him. The frown on his face had deepened, marring his handsome face with deep lines. What was up with him? Did he regret offering to ride with her?
“Is something bothering you?” The question popped out of her mouth before her brain had a chance to restrain her tongue.
“What?”
At the same time, they reached for the radio. Their fingers touched.