Page 17 of Cakewalk

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Gigi

“There’s lots of trial and error in everything,” Hunnie continued. “You should have seen me trying to learn this process. First time I played around with the chili pepper honey, I left the chilis in too long. I couldn’t taste anything else for days. I've just now gotten to a place where I can laugh about it.”

Gigi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was this adorable hippie really telling her all about her failures? It had already been a relief to hear that someone else had made the same mistake with the baking powder and baking soda. But listening to Hunnie talk about how it had taken a bunch of failed attempts to get her product right made Gigi feel a glimmer of hope. Like maybe she really could be good at this.

Sneaking a glance at Holden, she felt her insides warm up. He stood only a few inches from her, picking up jar after jar and looking at each one curiously. She knew he was trying to look nonchalant, like he wasn’t listening to the conversation she was having with Hunnie, but she would bet anything he was. The heat that was radiating off his body made her want to snuggle into his side, but she reminded herself that this wasn’t a date. Not only did she barely know the guy, he was her landlord. Oh yeah, and she was still married. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have those strong arms wrap around her or what his beard would feel like against her lips.

You did not just think about kissing another man, Gigi!

“I’m happy to hear that I’m not the only one who has had a couple of mishaps,” Gigi said, bringing her thoughts back to the matter at hand.

“Not even close! Here, take this,” Hunnie said, handing her a small jar of honey. “And here’s my card. My number is on there—call any time you need to share a kitchen disaster! Don’t be shy!”

“Thank you! I might just take you up on that.”

Gigi stuck the jar in the front pocket of her hoodie as they walked away from Hunnie’s booth, making room for more customers. She could feel Holden’s big hand on the small of her back as he guided her back to the walking path, and she reveled in the comfort of it. It’d been a long time since a man had placed his hand there simply out of being a gentleman, rather than trying to control her. She wanted to lean back into his touch but didn’t want to make things awkward. What would she even tell him if he questioned her behavior? Sorry, it’s been forever since someone else’s skin on mine wasn’t leaving a bruise? No, she couldn’t say that. She didn’t need him knowing that about her. Right now it was enough to simply not be afraid of his touch.

“I’d ask if you put her up to that, but you don’t really seem like the type to orchestrate such a thing,” Gigi said, turning to look at Holden once they were out of hearing distance from the booth. He removed his hand from her back, sticking it in his pocket, and she instantly missed it. She had to remind herself that it would be rude to ask him to put it back, no matter how much she craved the feeling.

“I’ve never seen her before in my life,” Holden laughed. “However, she makes some excellent points.”

“I guess,” Gigi said, shrugging slightly.

“You guess? Gigi, did you not hear her talk about how she couldn’t taste anything for days after trying to make a honey with chili peppers?”

“Yes, I did,” she sighed. “But that’s different. She already knew about honey. Her family runs a honey farm! You know what my family does? I come from a long line of socialites. We excel at making lunch reservations and going shopping.”

The words sounded a lot more condescending than she had intended. She had wanted to try and make a joke out of the sad situation she was in, but apparently, she couldn’t even do that. A desire to open up to Holden bubbled within her, but every time she went to say something, she lost her nerve. She felt so foolish around him. Here he was, this beautiful, confident man, who’d now seen her through two major failures. She was lucky he wasn’t laughing at her. Or worse, kicking her to the curb. She had no idea what his story was, but it was obvious he didn’t need a tenant to make ends meet.

The sounds of shouts made them turn just in time to see a group of preteen boys speed toward them on bicycles. Gigi froze in place, so taken aback by their sudden presence that she had no idea how to respond. Holden grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the way, just as the boys went whizzing by. Just as before, his skin was warm against hers, and there was a tingle from the contact. She felt her whole body react to the small gesture, and took a long, deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

“You okay?” he asked, looking into her eyes, his own full of concern. For the first time since they’d met, she took a moment to stare into his eyes, noticing all the different shades woven together to create a beautiful aqua hue. The strands of blue with a touch of green mixed together so perfectly, and she knew that it wouldn’t take much to get lost in his gaze. He gave her hand a light squeeze, sending a jolt rushing through her, breaking the spell she was under from being so close to him.

“Yeah, they just startled me,” she said, turning to start walking again. He followed her lead but kept her hand in his. She couldn’t tell if it was because he felt the need to hold on to her like a parent did a small child or if it was because he enjoyed the closeness as much as she did. Allowing herself to think it was the latter, she smiled secretly, hoping he didn’t notice her slightly giddy expression.

“I think you just need some more trial and error,” he finally said after a few moments of walking in silence.

“There is only so much trial and error I can have before I lose my job. After today I think Roderick might be on to me, and all I can do is pray he doesn’t tell Audrey and Zara.”

“What if you had a test subject? Someone you could use as your guinea pig to try out recipes on. That way you wouldn’t have to do it at the café?”

“I’m not sure I know anyone who is that much of a glutton for punishment,” she said, laughing. “Unless you’re volunteering for the job.”

“I am.”

His words stopped her in her tracks. Did he really just say that? He had to be joking. There was no way he’d subject himself to being her taste tester. If he knew what was good for him, he’d run the other way.

“What?”

“I’ll be your test subject,” he offered. “Just don’t poison me.”

“Not funny, Holden!” she said. She knew he meant it as a joke, not realizing how afraid she was of that actually happening.

“Sorry,” he said, a coy smile taking up his face. His eyes lit up in a way she’d never seen from him, highlighting those blue strands again. The expression in them had always been so solemn that she had no idea they could light up like this. She had no idea why, but hearing this idea excited her even more, sending a whole new rush through her. “But really, how hard can it be? We can watch some YouTube videos, pick out some recipes—we’ll figure it out together.”

“Really?” she squealed.