Page 35 of Working For Her Sweet Treats

“I need someone with a massive sweet tooth and no hesitation about eating two muffins in one sitting.”

“I’m qualified.”

The lemon-blueberry muffin is bright and soft, with enough lemon to keep the sweetness from becoming heavy. The strawberry cream cheese has a rich center and a thin layer of crumble across the top. Ava watches me alternate bites.

“Well?”

“Both.”

“That isn’t helpful.”

“You should serve both.”

“I have limited production time.”

“Then the strawberry.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Why?”

“It’s different. People will remember it.”

Ava looks pleased, although she tries to conceal it by breaking off a piece of the lemon-blueberry muffin.

“You’re learning about presentation and marketability.”

“I built the display.”

“And now you’re becoming smug again.”

She eats the bite, leaving a crumb near her lower lip. I step closer. Ava does not move away. This time, I pause before touching her.

“May I?”

Her gaze drops to my mouth. “You’re asking permission to remove a crumb?”

“No.”

Ava reaches up, grips the front of my shirt, and pulls me down. The kiss is shorter than the one in the cooler, but no less certain. She tastes like lemon and sugar, and when she releases me, her eyes remain closed for one extra second.

“That was not caused by low temperatures,” I say.

“It may have been residual exposure.”

“Should I be concerned about lasting effects?”

“Probably.”

I want to kiss her again, but the ovens begin to beep behind her. Ava steps away to check the first test batch of caramel apple muffins. I lean against the prep counter and watch her work. She moves with confidence here, pulling the pans from the oven and checking the tops with one careful touch.

The overhead lights flicker. Ava does not seem to notice. I straighten. The lights steady, then dim again when she starts the large mixer.

“Does that happen often?”

She looks up. “Does what happen?”

“The lights.”

“It’s an old building.”