Page 51 of Working For Her Sweet Treats

“That sounds like Jake’s influence.”

Across the room, Jake is explaining the display’s reclaimed wood to an older couple. When they ask whether he designed it, he gestures toward me.

“Ava told me what she wanted. I only built it.”

Only.As though he did not choose the century-old oak, add the curved header, or carve the little apple beside my bakery’s name. He gives me the ownership anyway.

My ex-husband believed Sweet Treats would become an expensive embarrassment. Jake looks proud every time another person stops at the table.

My ex wanted me to choose something safer, smaller, and easier for him to understand. Jake built a display big enough for my ambition.

Jake does not want to own my dream. He wants a place beside me while I build it. The final cinnamon roll sells shortly after dinner begins.

I am rearranging the remaining muffins when Kayla appears with a platter from The Foundry’s kitchen.

“Try one of these,” she says. “New appetizer.”

Small pieces of bacon glisten beneath a maple-bourbon glaze. Jake reaches for one. I tap his hand with the serving tongs.

He gives me a look. “I thought we had moved beyond this.”

“You still have to wait your turn.”

Kayla offers him the platter directly.

“Favoritism,” I say.

Jake bites into the bacon, then glances toward the single cinnamon roll I saved behind the display for myself.

Before I can stop him, he tears off one corner, places a piece of the glazed bacon on top, and eats them together. I stare at him.

“What?” he asks.

“You just put bacon on my cinnamon roll.”

“It works.”

“It is an abuse of pastry.”

“Try it.”

“I will not.”

Kayla holds out another piece of bacon.

I break off a portion of the roll, add the smallest possible amount of glaze, and taste it.

Bourbon. Maple. Smoke. Salt. Cinnamon. My irritation disappears beneath a rush of possibilities.

Jake recognizes the expression immediately. “What?”

“I could make this better.”

“It already tastes good.”

“I could put maple into the filling, add a bourbon glaze, and crumble candied bacon over the top.”

Kayla nods. “I would buy that.”