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“I get that, but I’ve always wanted one. Maybe two. A nice set.”
“Gee, let me guess, a boy and girl?”
Macy’s snark didn’t bother me. I knew under it was love. And probably more snark. Like a nice sarcasm sandwich. “No, I’m not set on any particular sex. Just healthy.”
“I wish I had a brother or cousin I could have help you out. Would be easier. And I suppose I wouldn’t mind having you related and all. Or your brood related, which is close enough.”
My eyebrows lifted. “Macy Devereaux, that almost sounds like sweet talk coming from you.”
“Don’t get used to it. All those dollar signs floating past my ledger today must’ve put me in an uncharacteristically good mood.” She grinned and glanced over her shoulder. “And lookee there, the line is back out the door after a brief afternoon lull. Saddle up, cowgirl. Your latest gang of possible yogurt shooters has arrived.”
I had to laugh as I straightened my crown—metaphorical as it was—and went back with her behind the counter.
I wanted to find a guy who would make a good baby daddy. This was what I wanted. Maybe not in this particular manner, but if all the extra attention sent Mr. Loaded Gun my way, well, then how could I complain? Had to put up with a little rain to get my rainbow, right?
As the afternoon wore on, I filled drink orders and boxed pastries to go, all the while keeping my smile firmly in place. The line of customers never seemed to waver, and a lot of the jokes were at my expense. But a lot of folks also asked kind, considerate questions and offered support. And Macy had my back, even if it was because her cash register had been going ca-ching all day long.
Everything was going to be okay.
In the midst of the hullabaloo, I thought I glimpsed a familiar face near the back of the line. He was easy enough to spot. Murphy Masterson stood head and shoulders above a lot of the people of Crescent Cove. He definitely towered over me. It wasn’t just that. Murphy was sizable. A big, broad guy with plenty of muscles yet a shy nature that didn’t seem to fit his brawny physique.
At least I liked to think he was shy. Maybe he wasn’t that at all. Perhaps he just didn’t have anything to say to me. After all, he was a serious, thoughtful man. I was like a donut with extra sprinkles. Fun, brightly colored, a sugar rush in a small package. What would a dude like Murphy see in me? But I liked talking to him just the same—or trying to, because he didn’t always talk back—despite our differences. He was a bright spot in my day.
Oh, God, had he heard about the post too? Of course he had. Who hadn’t?
And I was not going to stress. Nope. Not this girl.
Deliberately keeping my head averted from the endless line, I boxed up a four pack of back to school cupcakes. These were special, made for the college crowd. On one there was a little sugar Budweiser can situated on red, white, and blue frosting, on another there was a sugar iPad on sparkly buttercream frosting, and the last two held jumbo sugar cups of espresso on chocolate ganache. Macy let me do whatever crazy ideas sprung into my head.
A beer-themed cupcake? Sure, go for it.
“Here you go, Andrew. Don’t study too hard. Or if you do, use these as a reward.” I smiled widely at the lanky, bespectacled college junior who didn’t speak much but always tipped well. I’d been a horrible student myself and had no desire to go back, but I admired those who committed to their education.
“Thanks, Vee. And um, I hope it’s okay if I say any guy who gets to have a baby with you is very lucky.” Andrew grabbed his box and fled before I could unstick my tongue from the floor.
By the time I sucked in a breath and chanced another look at the line, he was long gone—and so was Murphy.
Fark. The bright spot in my day just got covered with a big-ass cloud.
“Hi, Vee. Can we get a couple caramel capps, please? Our usual.” Ally Hamilton stepped forward with her sister-in-law Sage at her side.
“Sure thing. How’s it going? Where’s your cutie babies?”
They exchanged a glance and inwardly, I sighed. Of course the baby-crazy chick asked after their kids. They probably thought I wanted to snatch them at the first opportunity for a long round of snuggles.
They probably weren’t wrong. Both Ally and Sage had adorable kids.
“Oh, good. Alex has an ear infection, but it’s almost over, thank God.”
“Star too. I swear, they get the same things every time. Cousins.” Sage smiled and pursed her lips as she eyed the pastry case. “Hmm, should I get one of these eclairs to go? Or better yet, I’ll get two eclairs and see if Oliver’s been a good boy today.”
Ally rolled her eyes. “Is he ever? But yeah, good idea. Seth loves those thumbprint cookies. Can I get a half dozen of those to go, please?”
“Yeah, and three eclairs, please,” Sage chimed in. At Ally’s look, she shrugged. “Hey, PMS. Which is a good thing these days since it means I’m safe for another month.” She kissed her fingers and held them up toward the sky.
Then she started to cough. “Um, from wicked bad cramps. That’s what I mean. When I get crazy sugar cravings before, then I usually have milder cramps. Weird, right?” She bit her lip and flas
hed a help me look at her best friend. Ally just sighed.
