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Ebony rolled her eyes and focused on Caden. “I’m not a baker, but I can help.”
Caden shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t even know where to start. She just ran out of here practically in tears.”
“Damn.” EJ sat back and wiped his hand over his beard for a moment.
Proud, Caden puffed out his chest. “You’re looking at that chicken and spinach dish we made, aren’t you?”
Thanks to Maggie, Caden would be able to cook on his own if Ebony ever decided not to make meals for him and Helen went on vacation. Haute Tips didn’t help just socialites. It helped bachelors as well.
“No,” said EJ. “I’m looking at these comments.”
“What?” Caden asked pushing away.
Ebony shook her head. “No one reads comments, babe. You just watch the video.”
“Yeah, but these comments, though...”
Like Ebony, Caden didn’t read the comments. The way Maggie worked her Haute Tips, she recorded the video, watched it and then uploaded it for another date. He never saw Maggie interact with her viewers. Caden snatched the phone and scrolled through the screen with his thumb.
Haute Tips on How To Marry a Millionaire.
So much for being independent.
Who I did over my summer break.
The unflattering comments by anonymous users only became cruder. Caden set the phone facedown on the table. Maybe that’s what was bothering Maggie? But no. She never hopped on social media. Ebony picked up the phone and read the comments as well.
“What the hell? Why bother commenting if all they want to do is be mean and nasty?”
“Because people are emboldened behind the keyboards, babe,” answered EJ. “This has to be cyberbullying. Has she reported it?”
“I doubt it,” said Caden, scratching the back of his head. “She doesn’t get on social media anymore.”
Ebony snapped her fingers together. “You know, now that I think about it, she never did take a picture of one of my fabulous meals and post it.”
“Are you offended?” EJ teased her.
“No, I just thought it was, what’s the word?”
“Old-school?” EJ provided.
“Refreshing,” answered Caden. “Maggie lives in the moment.” Rage boiled beneath his skin. Caden balled his fists together. “She doesn’t need this right now. Her family doesn’t need that. Not with the Swayne farm in financial troubles.”
“What?” Ebony nearly choked on her water. EJ patted her on the back.
Not meaning to let the cat out of the bag, Caden winced. “I didn’t say anything.”
“The best pecans come from Swayne’s farm,” Ebony declared. “I use them in the pecan-crusted bass you like,” she said, giving EJ a wink.
Caden didn’t want to know more, especially after the way EJ’s hand slid down Ebony’s backside. He cleared his throat.
“Sorry.” Ebony blushed and pushed EJ off her with a slight shove of her shoulder. “Caden, I promise you there is absolutely no way they’re under any financial troubles.”
Interesting, Caden thought.
“Poor Maggie,” EJ sighed. “She’s a sweet kid. You know Mom’s really taken a liking to her.”
“Yeah, I know,” said Caden. “It was imperative she had Maggie be a part of the meeting earlier this summer when she planned on announcing her retirement.”
