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Ruby's first thought was, "You're kidding, right?" But judging by the awestruck expression on Marielle's face, there was no joking involved.
"I'm busy," Ruby said, returning her attention to her work. "Tell him to go away."
Marielle's blue eyes went wide. "Come on. It's Professor Benedict, and he wants to talk to you."
Ah, such youthful exuberance. The way she said "Benedict" was so filled with awe she might as well be whispering "Johnny Depp."
"I heard you the first time," Ruby said. "If you think he's such a big deal, you talk to him."
Marielle pursed her lips. "No wonder you don't have a social life."
After the door closed, Ruby made a face at the cheesecake. "I could have a social life if I wanted one," she whispered.
Too soon, the kitchen door swung open again. "He said if you don't come out he's coming back here, and he's not wearing a hairnet just to talk to a stubborn woman even if she is pretty and likely the best baker this side of the Mississippi."
Ruby lifted her head and glared at Marielle. "Did he really say that?"
"Yes!"
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This was a complication she did not need, but she couldn't make herself brush Zane off again. "I'll be right out." After Marielle was gone, Ruby washed her hands and removed her chocolate-stained apron. She made sure she removed the hairnet before pushing against the door and leaving the kitchen that was her domain.
"Everything here is filled with white flour and white sugar," she said, pinning her gaze on Zane. "You won't eat any of it."
He lifted the disposable cup of coffee he cradled in his hands, then he smiled. Good Lord, he had a dimple! "I'm thinking of giving up my refined sugar and flour ban for the holidays. Your cookies have been a bad influence on me."
Marielle had to step away to wait on a customer, a fact that obviously annoyed the curious woman to no end.
Ruby stepped around the counter and moved closer to Zane. Like yesterday, like always, he was dressed in blue jeans and a loose-fitting T-shirt. The T-shirt was a dark, dull green, today. It was almost as if he purposely dressed so as not to call attention to himself. It didn't work. "You didn't come in here to buy cookies," she said in a lowered voice.
"No. I still have a few left."
"Just a few?"
"I told you, those cookies have been a bad influence." He looked at her with expressive, dark eyes. "But no, I didn't come here to buy anything but a cup of coffee. I wanted to check on you, make sure you're okay."
"I'm fine," she said.
"You weren't fine this morning."
"I'm sorry I called you in the middle of the night. I guess I freaked."
He smiled again. "A little."
"I think someone spiked the punch, and the liquor went straight to my head."
"Don't tell Hester," Zane said, a hint of teasing in his soothing voice. "She'll surely hunt down the cretin who dared to spike her Christmas punch."
She was losing her mind. Other than that one small detail, her life was nicely settled. She had a routine that suited her, and when she'd told Zane last night that she was not looking for a man, she hadn't been exaggerating. Romance meant drama, and she didn't want any drama in her life at the moment. Maybe her life was boring, but she liked boring. It was easy. No one got hurt.
The expression on Zane's face changed. The easy humor disappeared. "What are you doing for dinner?" he asked, taking her by surprise.
"What?" Ah, the snappy comeback.
"Dinner. I thought we could eat. Together. Food," he added when she remained silent.
Ruby gathered her courage and said, "I'm kinda tired. I didn't sleep well last night."
Again, that smile and the dimpl
