“But… I don’t… I don’t understand...” Aubrey turns in my hold to face me. “Shane? You said… you said they were good…” A tear slips out and my heart breaks as I watch it fall.
This time, I can’t lie to her, not with the way she’s looking at me. “No, sweetheart, I said they were something… Interesting. I’m sorry…” I make a face, hating that I have to do this.
Her cheeks turn pink as more tears come rolling down. She looks back at all her friends who give her the same sad smile.
“Fine. If you all think they’re disgusting, then I’ll just take them back,” she says through her tears as she tries to collect them all and starts throwing them back into the containers.
She reaches for one tray but knocks into another in the process that contains the coconut-pickle cupcakes, and before she has time to catch it, it topples over the corner of the counter and lands upside down on the floor. Aubrey lets out a sob as she watches her ruined treats on the ground, then covers her mouth.
“I’m s-sorry. I just… I n-need a m-minute.” She covers her face and rushes off through the back patio doors.
“Aubrey, wait,” Morgan calls after her, but it’s too late.
I swipe my fingers through my hair and look down at the mess. “I’ll clean that up, just give me a minute to—” I point toward the back door.
“It’s fine,” Clay interrupts me. “Go, we’ll take care of this.”
I hurry outside, looking for my girlfriend, and find her crying into her hands on a lounge chair by the pool. “Angel…” I say once I reach her side. I lift her off the chair and sit down with her in my arms.
“W-why didn’t you t-tell me they were b-b-bad?” she stutters.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I know I should have, but you were so excited, I didn’t want to ruin that joy for you.” I thread my fingers through her natural waves and kiss her head.
“I’m so embarrassed.” She buries her face deeper against me.
“Sweetheart, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens to even the best cooks and bakers. They’ll try out new things and they won’t always be good. But that’s okay, baby. Youtry again, and next time they’ll be wonderful, just like all your other creations.”
She pushes away slightly to look at me. “But I don’t get it.” She wipes her eyes. “I found them good…”
I smile, chuckling quietly. “Yes, well, I think the pregnancy might be affecting your tastebuds.” I kiss her wet lips. “And for the record, I’m pretty sure you didn’t use honey mustard in the pastries.”
She frowns, clearly thinking about the ingredients she used. “I took the glass bottle from the fridge door.”
Well, that explains it.“That’s Dijon mustard, Angel. Not honey mustard.”
Her eyes go round. “Oh…”
I laugh, kissing her temple. “How about until our little girl is born, you let me watch over while you create new recipes? And I’ll let you know if your pairings are a good idea or not.”
“Yeah, okay.” She sniffs. “But only if you promise to tell me next time something I make is bad.”
“I promise, Angel. I’m sorry again, do you forgive me?” I caress her cheek with my thumb.
“I might.” She smirks.
My brows rise. “You might?”
She nods slowly. “Mhm.” She then leans in and whispers into my ear, “I’m hungry.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Wait, let me think.” I look back down at her, tapping my index finger against my chin. “You’re emotional and hungry… Caramel sundae with extra caramel?” It’s become her go-to snack whenever she’s emotional.
She nods again enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “And a hot fudge brownie.”
“So, two caramel sundaes, extra caramel, and four hot fudge brownies,” I clarify her order.
“Oh my God, I love you!” She grabs my face and kisses me all over. “They’re going to think I’m a pig.”
“No, they’re going to think you’re pregnant.” I smile against her lips as she giggles before pulling away. “All right, let’s go back inside and I’ll head over to the ice cream parlor for your snack.”
