Take the Cake Read online

  Hours later they had made their way home to Kate’s apartment. It had been closer for one thing, and Kate had giggled and leaned against Tim all the way up the stairs. Once inside, she had closed the door and turned to see Tim reaching from her. Kate leaned into his embrace, trying not to mind when he swirled his tongue into her ear and sucked on her earlobe. Perhaps it was something that had worked for him in the past, but not this time. Damn it. She’d been lonely for too long. She needed this. She kept reciting that in her head as she closed her eyes and gave herself up to him, all the while knowing that she was cheating them both. She stared into the darkness of the bedroom then closed her eyes tightly as his lips claimed hers.

  The next morning Kate rolled toward the alarm clock as it sounded and encountered a warm body instead of her spare pillow. She opened her eyes to see Tim sound asleep although the alarm clock was shrilling beside his head. Clutching the sheet to her chest, she leaned across him and slapped at the alarm until it stopped, lying back onto the bed and regarding Tim with weariness. There was nothing for it. She had to get ready, and he had to go.

  “Hey.” She nudged his shoulder once, and then again. He grunted and tried to roll over, but she pulled at his shoulder. “Hey, Tim, we’ve got to get going.”

  “In a minute,” he mumbled, attempting to burrow back into the pillow.

  “No, now,” she repeated. “C’mon.”

  He showed no sign of movement. Kate regarded him for a moment, and then came to a decision. She had a routine and he was going to have to like it or lump it, preferably the latter. She grabbed at the sheet and quilt and yanked them off the bed.

  That woke him up.

  “What the fu—” he began when he saw Kate shimmying into a T-shirt that she had dropped on the floor last night. “What are you doing? C’mere.” He patted the mattress in an inviting manner.

  Kate looked at him over her shoulder and stood up.

  “Sorry, Tim, no time. I’ve got to get to work.”

  “So call in sick.” He put his hands behind his head and rolled over onto his back, quite unabashed at his nudity. Kate regarded him with, she realized, only mild regret, then shook her head.

  “It’s my business; I’ve got to be there,” she said in what she hoped was a patient tone.

  A small “I want” line appeared between Tim’s eyebrows. “But I thought—” he began.

  “What you want and what I need are two different things,” Kate said in what she hoped was a gentle tone. “And I’ve got a business to run, so I’m going to get ready, okay?” She patted his foot, and then got up and rounded the bed as she headed toward the bathroom. “There’s plenty of food in the kitchen,” she called over her shoulder. “So help yourself to some breakfast, and then we need to move.”

  She quickly stripped off the T-shirt and got into the shower, praying he wouldn’t try to join her. She showered quickly, shivering under the hot spray. The sex last night had been good, like scratching a persistent itch, but waking up with the morning reality felt very different. She wanted him out of her sanctuary, and soon. Hearing movement, she froze and cocked her head. She heard the refrigerator door open and the sounds of foraging. She relaxed a fraction and began to wash her hair. Good. He was going to eat, and then as soon as she was ready, they could leave.

  She reappeared a short while later in jeans and one of Paul’s shirts. It was enormous on her, but she had knotted it at the waist to try to cinch it in somewhat. She teamed it with a pair of her oldest jeans—given her extensive collection, that was saying a lot—and her faithful red Chucks. Her hair was still wet and her face was devoid of makeup when she entered the kitchen carrying her bag.

  Tim saw her and smiled, although she could see that his heart wasn’t quite in it. Getting rebuffed now after the night before had left him on uncertain ground.

  “Wow, you get ready quick,” he commented.

  Kate shrugged. “I’ve got a lot of baking ahead,” she replied.

  Tim waved a half-eaten apple toward the door. “So, time to hit the road?”

  Kate nodded, hoping her relief didn’t show on her face. “Yup, sorry.”

  They left the apartment and made their way down the stairs side by side.

  “So,” Tim ventured after a brief pause, “how about we catch up for lunch?”

  “I can’t,” Kate replied with a regretful smile. “Business owner, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah.” He looked disappointed. “That’s right.” He thought for a moment, “Well, how about breakfast on Saturday?”

  “Working again. It’s a six-day-a-week operation, so I don’t have much of a life,” she replied, shrugging her bag’s strap into a more comfortable position on her shoulder, hoping he would get the message. What the hell had she been thinking? This awkwardness wasn’t her style at all.

  “Right.” Tim looked at his feet and then back at her. Kate felt guilty. Was she being too harsh? Tim was a nice-looking guy, classic all-American good looks, and they’d had a fun evening together. Lots of women would go for a guy like him, so why wasn’t she? “So maybe I’ll call you sometime …” His voice trailed off and they both looked at each other, feeling uncomfortable.

  “Tim,” Kate sighed, looking down at her feet for a moment, trying to find the words. “I just don’t know if this is a good time for me. Running my own business takes a lot of—”

  “Time,” Tim interrupted with a sigh. “I know.” He gave her a half-smile. “Still, if you want to catch up again sometime, you’ve got my number.”

  On impulse, Kate stood on tiptoe and gave him a gentle kiss. “Goodbye, Tim,” she said, and this time she meant it. They both knew she wouldn’t call. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Kate watched Tim head off in the opposite direction, and then went on her way, wondering why she felt so relieved and lonely all at once.

  ~~~

  Wren walked to work, her eyes darting back and forth over the faces in the crowd as she sought her daily inspiration. She had three more blocks to think of something, and so far the Chalkboard gods hadn’t given her a damn thing. She arrived at the corner of Broadway and East Houston, and unhooked her iPod ear buds. Her playlist wasn’t inspiring her this morning either, so maybe she’d eavesdrop for a change. She still had nothing as she stood waiting for Kate to arrive.

  “Morning, boss.”

  “Wren, don’t call me boss,” Kate replied with a smile as she stepped up to unlock the doors.

  Wren relaxed. All was forgiven. “Sorry, boss.” She stepped into the store and did a double take as she took a good look at Kate. “What the hell happened? Did you oversleep or …” She broke off, her eyes widening. “Or didn’t you get much sleep at all?”

  Kate opened the door and ushered Wren inside, giving her a wry smile. “I woke up on time, but no, I didn’t get much sleep. Thanks so much for asking.”

  Wren was agog. “What did you do?” She looks like she …

  “I took my own advice from yesterday and called that guy.”

  “I knew it!” Wren gave a little skip. “So how was it?”

  “It was,” Kate paused, “okay.” She pulled a face. “Pretty lame description, huh?”

  Wren turned to face her. “Really? He looked like a nice guy.”

  “Oh and he is. Nothing wrong with him at all.” Kate dropped her bag and flicked on the coffee machine, pulling out a couple of cups. “Before you can ask, yes, we had sex, and it was good sex, but it just felt like we were … like I was … I don’t know, going through the motions or something.”

  While the machine was warming up, the two women put their bags away and kept chattering as they went about their morning routine.

  “Tell Dr. Wren everything,” Wren said, getting the milk out of the fridge and handing it to Kate, who took it with a nod of thanks.

  “Well, you know, I guess I just would’ve liked a deeper connection.”

  Wren gave Kate a significant look. “Surely the only way he could get deeper w
ould be with surgery.”

  Kate coughed to hide her laugh. “Well, yeah, but all I’m saying is that if it’s just going to be sex for the sake of it, then I can take care of things for myself in that department.”

  “True,” Wren acknowledged, “but you have to admit that having someone else there with you makes for a great way to pass the time.”

  “There is that,” Kate agreed.

  “Did he spend the night?” Wren went on.

  “Yeah,” Kate sighed and poured the frothy milk into the cups. “Which is why I look like this.” She gestured to her outfit.

  “Ah.” Wren’s face brightened in understanding. “You grunged yourself down so that he wouldn’t get any saucy ideas about seeing you again.”

  “Yup. Think it’s too obvious?”

  Wren gave her a pitying look. “Honey, he’s a guy. There’s no such thing as too obvious. He’ll be fine.”

  They sipped their coffee in silence for a moment, giving the freshly ground brew all the loving attention it deserved.

  “Tell you what,” Wren continued. “Why don’t you go fix yourself up and I’ll get things started.”

  “You’re a champ,” Kate said gratefully.

  “Don’t applaud; throw money,” Wren teased, and slapped Kate’s rump to shoo her away. “Now you go get yourself looking nice. I’ve got a bakery to open, and Emily will be here soon.”

  “Yes’m.”

  Kate went out into the kitchen and then opened one of the cupboards, pulling out one of the spare T-shirts she kept in there for emergencies. She looked at the front and grinned; it seemed appropriate. She wriggled into it, and then looked in her bag and cursed when she realized she didn’t have her brush.

  “Wren!”

  “Whassup?” Wren popped her head into the kitchen. “Hey, nice shirt.”

  “Thanks. You got a brush?”

  “Do I look like I have a brush?” Wren pointed at her scruffy short hair.

  “What am I going to do? I can’t get around with hair like this.”

  “Gimme a sec. Emily’s just got here, so she might be able to help.”

  Kate heard the women exchange greetings, and then Emily came into kitchen with a smile, already digging in her bag. “Oh, I see what she means. Don’t worry, Kate. We’ll make you gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” Kate smiled with gratitude.

  Wren cocked her head and considered Kate for a moment. “You know, with a hot little shirt like that, can I do your hair? I’ve got an idea.”

  “Knock yourself out.” Kate shrugged and Wren set to work.

  A few minutes later, Kate was surveying her reflection in a mirror. “Braids? You’ve put me in braids?”

  “You don’t like?” Wren looked worried.

  Kate laughed. “No, they’re cute. I just haven’t had braids since grade school, and even then it was only when Gwen could hold me down long enough.” She gave Wren a quick hug. “Thanks for getting me presentable, babe.”

  “Any time.” Wren smiled and went back out front.

  Reaching for her compact, Kate gave herself a quick dusting of makeup, some mascara, and lip-gloss. Closing the small mirror with a snap, she dropped it back into her bag, and then turned toward the kitchen counter. It was time to start the day.

  Wren was making another round of morning coffees for the team when Emily wandered over to stand beside her.

  “I wish I could look like you.” She sighed.

  “Huh? What do you mean?” Wren glanced at her before turning her attention back to the coffees.

  “You know,” Emily waved a hand at her, “stunning, instead of stunned.”

  Wren looked down at her outfit. Her favorite black jeans, a blue Paul Frank T-shirt, and tiger print ballet flats. It was simple and funky, and entirely Wren.

  “Well …” Wren grinned. “It helps when you’re short enough to shop in the kids’ section. Keeps the costs down a bit.” She cocked her head and regarded Emily thoughtfully. “But I think we can have some fun with your wardrobe.”

  Emily went pink with pleasure. “Really?”

  “Yup, particularly if—and I’m only guessing here—it’s going to help you snare someone’s interest.”

  Emily’s pink cheeks turned crimson.

  “Thought so,” Wren added with satisfaction. “Two for two. I’m good.”

  “So,” Emily said in a bid to change the focus of the conversation, “if that’s me fixed, what about Kate?”

  “What about her?”

  “You know,” Emily peeked into the kitchen to make sure Kate was busy. “That hot guy that looks like he’s got a thing for Kate hasn’t been in for a while.”

  “I know.” Wren frowned for a moment. “But I think he’ll be in soon. There’s a pattern of sorts and my gut tells me that he’ll be back.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Emily said, sipping her coffee.

  “Well, if I’m not I’ll just have to make the time to fix things until they are.”

  Kate appeared to accept her coffee, and then looked up at the oversized clock hanging over the kitchen door. It was yet another flea market find, with an enormous face that reminded Kate of the ones she saw at Central Station. She enjoyed her weekend customers as everyone seemed to be in a more relaxed state of mind. She checked her calendar for Saturday and looked up to see Wren collecting empty cups off some of the tables.

  “Wren, it’s nearly eleven o’clock, time to get ready,” she called before heading into the kitchen.

  “I’m on it,” Wren replied, heading out into the café front with some fabric folded over one arm, and then she saw Michael standing outside reading the chalkboard. She put the fabric down and returned to the counter, biding her time.

  ~~~

  Michael had walked through the Village, making his way toward the bakery. He had no idea what he was going to say. He hadn’t visited the bakery for a few days, and since his night of drunken debauchery, he’d steered clear while he tried to get his thoughts in order. However circular his thoughts had been, they always returned to one thing: Kate.

  Michael looked down the street toward the red canopy of Take the Cake, not realizing that he was already smiling. The store seemed to be a bit busier than usual today, and he could see people coming and going as he made his way toward it. He hoped he’d be able to find a table. As was his tradition, he stopped and checked out the chalkboard before entering.

  The early bird gets the worm,

  but the second mouse gets the cheese.

  As soon as he entered, his gaze automatically went to the counter, looking for Kate. He wasn’t disappointed. She was serving some customers, exchanging a few words and a laugh with each of them. She was wearing a black, tight-fitting tee with the unmistakable Rolling Stones logo of red pouting lips with a tongue hanging out which moved suggestively as Kate twisted and turned.

  Emily saw Michael pause in the doorway and nudged Wren, who looked up from her coffee making.

  “It’s him,” Emily said with quiet excitement.

  “Excellent. Second cast has left the stage and now it’s time for the main attraction,” Wren replied.

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t worry,” Wren said, looking serene.

  Michael dropped his newspaper and keys onto a spare table and made his way to the counter to order. Kate was with other customers, so he turned to the small woman near the coffee machine, who grinned at him.

  “Your usual?” Wren asked as she got a cup out.

  “You know it?” Michael was surprised.

  “I remember our ‘Specials’ as we like to call them,” Wren replied blithely. “Anything for lunch as well?”

  Michael laughed despite himself. “How about I leave it up to you?” he replied, getting out his wallet.

  “Oh, good.” Wren gave him a happy smile. “I like it when people come to their senses.”

  “Is that what they do around you?”

  “Generally,” Wren replied, flicking a glance toward the kitc
hen. “Some faster than others.”

  Michael had no idea what she was talking about but handed over some bills and accepted his change as Wren shooed him back to his table. Later he looked up from his coffee at the sounds of furniture being moved to see a very business-like Wren set to work. Kate had come to his table to collect his plate and Michael made the most of the opportunity.

  “Hi, Kate.” He smiled, marveling that conversation with her was becoming easier with each visit.

  “Hey, Michael.” Kate gave him a warm smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Likewise. So what’s going on over there?” he asked, pointing toward Wren’s endeavors.

  “We’re hosting a little girl’s birthday party. They’re having a High Tea,” she explained. At Michael’s look of inquiry, she went on. “We don’t normally take bookings, but we thought we’d give it a shot and see how things go.” She looked over at the activity around the tables, and then grinned back at Michael. “If you think you can handle the estrogen levels, stick around and see for yourself.”

  Meanwhile, Wren had moved two tables together and produced a vintage white tablecloth. She draped it over the top and then arranged the chairs to fit. Emily appeared with a laden tray from which they decanted a series of mismatched floral teacups and saucers, sugar bowls, and milk jugs. A vase of flowers was added, and Wren scattered rose petals across the table. As a final touch, Emily tied some pastel helium-filled balloons to the back of each chair, each with a lavish amount of ribbon.

  Half an hour later, the birthday girl arrived, accompanied by four of her friends and her mother. The girls were all carefully dressed in “going out” clothes, and they oohed and ahhed over the pretty display before carefully taking their seats around the table. The balloons formed a cordon around the table that bobbed gently as the girls chattered and giggled.

  Michael watched, charmed as Kate greeted the mother and birthday girl with a broad smile, before signaling Wren and Emily to deliver the main event. The girls broke into squeals of delight as their High Tea was delivered, and Kate settled them down before describing the fare that was being set out before them.