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“You said she was with him. But she just came into my bakery on his arm, wearing what I’m guessing is his jacket over her kickass outfit. That’s not with, it’s with.”
“Have you known them long?” I whispered to Judge.
“Six months.” I thought he was joking until he added, “They’re gossipy.”
Black-haired woman hooked her thumb toward the wall. “Don’t act like they’re not worse.”
“You’re all bad,” he said, but it was easy to see he wasn’t actually annoyed.
Shrugging, she wiped her hands on her apron before extending one to me. “Sorry, that was rude. I was just… nosy. I was nosy. I’m Piper.”
I shook it. “Ophelia.”
“Gah, that name is so awesome.” She gestured to the redhead. “This is Harlow.” Then to the brunette. “And Joss.”
The brunette gave me a friendly, but reserved smile.
“Hi!” Harlow called without turning around.
“Have we met before?” I asked her, trying to solve the mystery that’d been driving me crazy.
“She’s a news intern,” Piper filled in, sounding proud. “She’s been on TV.”
Harlow rolled her eyes. “Barely.”
“Still something.”
I nodded, happy to finally have an answer. “That’s where I’ve seen you.”
The seniors at Elder Oaks loved the news. Even though she hadn’t been on often, I’d likely seen each appearance.
Repeatedly, if they recycled the footage.
Something chimed through the speakers.
“Cookie time.” Piper jerked her head toward the door we’d come through.
We followed and watched as she pulled a huge tray out of the oven. They could’ve looked like there’d been a disaster in the Keebler tree for all I cared since the smell promised they’d be delicious even if they were misshapen messes. That said, my already high expectations skyrocketed at the sight of cookies that belonged in a magazine.
And then they plummeted to a fiery death when I saw the chocolate chips weren’t actually chocolate chips.
This is why I have trust issues.
Still holding out hope, I leaned closer. “Are those raisins?”
“They’re for Jury. Well, not all of them—half are going into the case.”
Maybe I can swipe one and eat around the shriveled imposters.
“He’s lucky he’s getting any.” Piper took a tray from a chiller and put it into the oven. “Everyone keeps hiding my raisins because they don’t share his love.”
“I don’t blame them,” I whispered to Judge.
Piper laughed and pointed to three cute boxes. “Don’t worry, those are for you guys. Chocolate chip, cornflake white chocolate chip, sugar cookies that’re loaded with rainbow sprinkles, and some cupcakes.”
“That’s a lot of dessert.”
And somehow not enough.
