Page 11 of Fake It ’Til You Mate It

Right. Because chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and wolves are basically just a pup’s ancestor. “So the vanilla chiffon?”

“And the rest of what you suggested.”

Okay.

I plug the order into the register before I forget, then disappear into the back to grab the vanilla chiffon cake from the fridge. I’d planned on putting slices out for tomorrow’s sample, but if Declan wants to buy it along with half my remaining stock, I’m not going to stop him.

Though, as I open the fridge and see the smaller white box on the shelf above the cake, I pause.

Should I…

I don’t know…

Screw it.

I grab the cake box, add the smaller box on top of it, close the fridge door with my hip, and head back out into the bakery.

At the counter, I set the stack down, moving the small box to the side. After that, I get down to business while Declan makes small talk that I’m barely paying attention to. I don’t want to lose count as I start loading up boxes and bags with his order, though I’m pretty sure I did. Ah, well. As long as I gave him a couple of extras instead of cheating him, that’s fine.

Once I’m done, I move the cake to the counter, followed by the pastry boxes, plus three separate bags of croissants. I tally up his order, slightly impressed when he doesn’t even bat an eye when I give him his total, then run his card through my reader.

“It go through?” he asks.

Since the receipt is printing, I nod. “Yes.”

“Pack credit card. Don’t leave home without it.”

He grins. I hand him the card and the credit slip to sign, which he does with a sguiggle and a flourish before he tucks the card back into his wallet.

I gesture at the array of baked goods. “Would you like some help?”

“Nah. I’ve got a car outside. I’ve got it.”

“If you’re sure…”

He winks at me. “I’m a wolf, sweetness. Don’t you worry about me.”

Honey, I want to snap. My name is Honey.

But I don’t. Instead, I reach for the smaller white box.

“What about this? Do you think you can take that, too?”

His eyes light up. “That for me?”

Um. No. “Actually, if you’re going to a pack council meeting tonight… I’m assuming the sheriff will be there?”

“He is the Alpha.”

Don’t I know it?

“Could you give this to him? From me?”

For a moment, Declan’s easygoing grin lingers—but only for a moment before it’s replaced by a genuine look of surprise. “Are you sure about that? Giving food to the Alpha?”

Good question.

To tell the truth, I’ve been puzzled by this particular cupcake all day, and handing it over to the wolf doesn’t change that one bit.