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My mind conjures an image of myself making the frosting. I see myself whisking and my arm getting tired. Parker moves in to take over. He grasps the mixing bowl while my hand is still there. His fingers meld over mine in a moment that stretches out time.
I jitter out of my thoughts and wipe the sweat off my brow. “No, it’s okay. I’ve got loads of time.”
“Well, thanks for letting me help. It was fun, besides the war wound.”
“You’re a good baking assistant.”
Parker smiles, finding Brandy sneaking back into the kitchen. He leans over to pat her. “Better than Brandy?”
“You didn’t try to lick the uncooked batter, so yes.”
Parker scratches behind Brandy’s ear. “Don’t let her talk smack about you, girl. You eat all the batter you want.”
“Hey,” I squeak. “That’s bad dog-owning. Batter’s not good for them. It’s not even good for us when it’s uncooked.”
Parker swats a hand. “Whatever. It’s delicious.”
“I know. That’s why the cookie dough cups are always a hit.”
“Lemme guess,” Parker says, “you’ll be making them for the camping trip to keep winning over Lewy-boy?”
A confusing niggle hits my stomach giving me the ick. I smile to cover the slimy feeling. “No, I think I’ll do something more creative.”
Parker grins. “That sounds like Kikki. Always gotta up the ante.”
“Well, I can’t just rehash day one of this scheme.”
Parker laughs and then digs into his pocket, pulling out a buzzing phone.
He double takes at the screen. “Whoa. It’s Yvie.”
I almost lose my balance. “Huh?”
He reads the text. “She wants to meet up.”
“Why?” I cough, shaking my head. “I mean, is she still not talking to Lewis?”
“I don’t think so.” He lowers the phone, looking me dead in the eyes. “I should go. Shouldn’t I?”
“Yeah,” I say with a layer of fake enthusiasm. “This is big for you and her.”
“She probably wants dirt on Lewis.”
“Or she woke up and realized she’s deeply in love with you.”
Parker grins, brushing a hand through his hair. “She’s only human.”
“So, where are you meeting up?” I swear I hear a crack splintering in my heart. “Her house?”
Parker taps on his phone, and stares at the screen, awaiting her reply. “No, apparently her brother’s watching her like a hawk. She wants me to pick her up in the alley behind her house and take her into Main Street.”
“Good luck.”
He lowers the phone and gives me a sympathetic look. “Are you okay with this? I know you’re still down about what happened between you and Lewis.”
I shake my head, faking a smile. “No, I’m fine. You go and soak up Yvie’s attention.”
“You’re sure?”
