A Fine Romance by Christi Barth

Author:Christi Barth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Good morning.” Daphne waved through the open half of the connecting door from the bakery. Her motion wafted in some of the mouthwatering aromas Mira had been trying to ignore for the past two hours. Lyons Bakery tempted her constantly. Despite keeping both halves shut—at least whenever Helen wasn’t around—the scents often crept in under the door. She’d been able to hold firm against indulging until Sam finally hand-fed her a piña colada cheesecake bar. The creamy swirl of pineapple and coconut transported her in one bite to a Caribbean beach.

Last week, Ben made her try a bite of his current favorite bourbon pecan pie. Apparently he changed favorites as often as Lyons changed their monthly specials board. She’d plowed through the entire slice. Mira had to admit it. Lyons was not one of those run-of-the-mill bakeries, churning out dry cookies and sheet cakes. Sam and his mom were artists. The smells from that bakery utterly destroyed her willpower. Mira planned to have gardenia-scented candles burning once the store opened. In order to strengthen her resolve against tasting the entire bakery on a daily basis, she should probably start burning them immediately.

“Hi, roomie.” Mira leaned her broom against the wall. Daphne wore a lavender Aisle Bound apron over her jeans and long-sleeved tee, which meant she’d been deep in flower prep. “What brings you to our little corner of the Windy City?”

“Don’t call it that. You sound like a tourist.” Daphne lifted a white paper bag. “Two fritters to tide me over til lunch, and an éclair for a midafternoon boost. Today’s going to be a nightmare. Delivery at dawn, stripped roses for two hours, then finished banging out these super-bright fuchsia-and-orange quinceañera centerpieces.” She slipped through the doorway and gave Mira a quick hug. “They’re so bright only the fifteen-year-olds at the party will be able to look directly at them. Funky and fun, if I do say so myself. Still have to do three cake toppers, process another delivery in a couple of hours, and do twelve bridesmaid bouquets.”

“Twelve?” Add that to twelve groomsmen, both sets of parents, bride, groom, flower girl and ring bearer... Mira shook her head. “So, a bridal party of more than thirty people?”

Daphne perched on a stool at the gleaming granite counter. “Crazy, huh?”

“If I got married tomorrow, I’d barely be able to scrape together thirty people total to invite.” She hadn’t stayed in one place long enough since grad school to cultivate any lasting relationships. Had lost touch with most of her school friends. In fact, the group of amazing people here she’d gained access to through Ivy were already closer to her than just about anyone else.

It took less than a week of running with Gib and Ben every other day before they started treating her like a favorite sister. And Daphne cracked her up on a regular basis. The woman dealt with delicate, exquisite flowers, but had a down-to-earth, raunchy streak. Plus, she always kept their freezer well-stocked with ice cream and shared Mira’s idiotic obsession with reality dating shows.

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