Page 36 of Win a Date with a Baker

“And tomorrow’s inventory.”

“I know.”

“And three influencers showed up today asking where ‘Donut Mother’ was.”

My heart sinks. “Oh.”

“I spent twenty minutes telling people we don’t have a Donut Mother.”

“I never asked to be one,” I say a little too defensively.

He gestures toward the front. “They don’t come because of the bakery anymore.”

“They do.”

“They come because of...” He waves a hand between us. “This.”

“They come because they love the bakery.”

“They come because they love the story.”

I take another careful step toward him. “They can love both.”

He laughs once. It’s short. Bitter.

“Can they?”

“Tyler...”

He runs both hands through his hair. “I’ve spent years trying to get people to fall for my recipes.”

“I know. And you have. You’ve built something amazing.”

He scoffs. “Everyone’s more interested in us than what’s in the case.”

“They’re happy for us.”

“They’re happy for click-bait content.”

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He immediately shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“No.” I hold my ground. “Finish the thought.”

He looks away. Another long silence.

Then— “What happens when this wears off?”

I blink. “What?”

“The attention.” He swallows. “What if...”

He doesn’t finish.

“What if what?”

His laugh is hollow. “What if you’re only enjoying all of this because everyone suddenly knows who you are?”