AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. She’ll understand whatnotto do.” He throws another candy in his mouth before taking a long swig of milk. Totally gross. But he’s been doing it as long as I can remember. He has a hard time sleeping if he doesn’t have his crazy snack.
I chide them lightly, since nothing else ever works, either. “You know, if you ever hope to have grandkids, you’d better start teaching us how to actually want this hot mess of an idea of marriage.” I smile. Maybe if I say it in a joking tone I won’t lose my temper, as I’m pretty sure they’re fixing to do in this kitchen tonight.
The thing is, Idowant to get married someday. I want to be a mom. It’s just that when I think of it, I imagine my kids having to walk on eggshells and lying in their beds at night hearing the petty dialogue back and forth.
It’s that thought right there, that hot mess, that makes me want to stay single for the next thousand years.
I manage to pour the creamy mixture into the crust, slide it into the oven, and disappear to my room before they start another round, something about a forgotten insurance payment.
My dad is right. I already understand what not to do.
Don’t fall in love. Don’t give my heart to anyone.
Chapter 4
Aria
“I just—wow! This is beautiful.” Camilla steps to the counter and leans forward, inhaling the scent of the raspberry cheesecake.
I admire it, grinning. It’s large, heavy, marbled with raspberry glaze and baked to what I hope is perfection.
“Try a slice,” I say as I grab a knife and pie server from the drawer. Camilla reaches for a plate in the cupboards behind me. I carefully cut into it and raise it up with the pie server, one hand cupped around it like the Egyptian princess drawing Moses up out of the water.
I hand her the plate, and she first cuts off the tip of the slice and pushes it to the side then takes a bite. She chews thoughtfully.
“So?” I watch her, apprehension growing.
She rolls the flavors around in her mouth and swallows.
“It’s like you’re at a wine tasting,” I say. “Come on. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Did you use lemon zest?” she asks.
“I did?” It’s a question because what if that was wrong? I swear Grandpa added lemon zest to all of his cheesecakes, but maybe I used too much. Or not enough.
“That’s brilliant. It’s all brilliant, Aria.” She cuts another piece away from hers with a fork and takes a slow bite.
“Really? You’re not just saying that because you don’t want to hurt my feelings?”
“Of course I’m being honest. I wouldn’t beat around the bush with something like this.”
I know she’s right. She’s always very serious these days about anything to do with her business.
“We’ll sell it by the slice,” she continues, “How many do you think you could make in a day?”
“I mean, as many as you need.” I plate a slice for myself.
“Okay. I wish I could give you a hand, but you don’t want the cheesecake curse to come anywhere near all this.” She steeples her fingers like she’s praying over it. “Aria. I’m very excited.”
“Yay!” I squeal, take the fork from her fingers, and spear a small bit.
She shoots out a breath. “Not the tip! It’s bad luck to eat the tip first. Save it for the end.”
I shake my head. “You and your made-up rules.” I use the fork to take off a bite from the remaining piece.
“It’s not made up. It’s a thing.” At my laugh, Camilla raises her arms in the air. “Here’s to world domination via baked goods!” she shouts.
That’s right. And here’s to helping Camilla get her business in the best possible shape before I strike out on my own.
