Page 21 of Tasty Tentacles

So cheeky! See you soon, handsome.

The minutes drag as we clean up and close down the shop, but finally we’re out on the sidewalk. I give Camila a quick hug and amble to my car, taking a big holiday-infused breath. Freedom! I let it soak into me, the cheer and excitement and anticipation. I feel like a kid again, trying to sleep the night before opening presents. Our downtown street is done up in holiday splendor, complete with Santa and his reindeer in the center median, and I feel it, feel the magic of the season. Work is finished and it’s time to celebrate, with my sexy husband, with our best friends, and with two new friends!

“Oooh, what do we have here?” Hideo says, snagging one of my spice cookies, warm off the cookie sheet. Thank the stars it’s his diet-cheat day, so he’ll be eating anything he wants.

“Sweets for the sweet, sweet,” I say, and he has the grace to laugh even though I’ve lost count of the times I’ve said the same thing. “Is Orion here yet?”

“Haven’t seen him, but hopefully soon. Remember, give him his space. He’s going through some stuff.”

“Stop your nagging, you mother hen. My mom raised me better than that. There will be no drama from me, and we’ll go with the flow. But I hope he stays.”

“Me too.”

The doorbell rings at 2:00 on the dot, and there they are on the porch, my GingerGiant and his best friend. I dash out and wrap my arms around his middle. Damn, my head barely reaches to the bottom of his chin. It’s delightful…my first real GingerGiant hug!

After a startled moment, he wraps his big arms down around me, hugging me back.

I break away and say, “I’ve wanted to do that from the first second you entered my bakery. Seedy loaf, two chocolate eclairs, and dog cookies, if I remember correctly.”

His eyes crinkle at that and he laughs behind his mask, saying, “That sounds about right.”

We’re going to have to get him out of that mask. I need some quality face time with that ginger beard, now that we’re not in the busy atmosphere of the bakery. But that can wait. I invite, “Come in, come in. Welcome Jake. Let’s see if there happen to be any cookies with your name on them.”

He seemed okay with the hug, so I don’t hold back, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the kitchen. His big, meaty hand…OMG, everything about this man is gigantic.

“You weren’t kidding!” he laughs, even louder. I made bone-shaped cookies this morning, each with Jake’s name piped in blue frosting, hoping to hear exactly that laugh.

The timer goes off right when he’s saying, “I have a few bags in the car.”

“I’ll help,” Hideo says and takes him by the shoulder. “I’m glad you came.”

The cookies need another minute or two, so I fuss around the counter. Nothing really needs to be done, but I can’t keep my hands still. It’s so good he’s here!

They return with a plate and a bag.

“These are gorgeous,” I gush. Deviled eggs, carefully arranged on the plate, but they’re unique, with dark purple edges. “Are they as tasty as they look?”

“You tell me,” he says, peeling back the corner of the plastic. I sneak one out, and it’s true. The filling is bursting with flavors—Dijon mustard, horseradish, vinegar, and…and…

“Sumac?” I guess.

“Spot on!” he confirms. “And they’re pickled in beet juice. Um, there’s something I want to…”

“Yes, Hidie-ho mentioned we have something to discuss, but let’s get Jake settled first.”

I lead them out the back door, and Jake bursts into the yard.

“There’s some water out here, and I scrounged up some tennis balls and an old frisbee from the closet…”

“Really,” Orion says, “I need to do this before I chicken out.”

“Sorry, I get carried away.” I can’t seem to stay still—my feet continue to bounce, and I literally have to force myself not to give him another hug.

“Could you sit down?”

This instantly quiets my happy feet. Now I’m getting worried. I know it’s something serious, but I didn’t realize it was sitting-down serious.

“I’m sorry,” I say, wiping my hands on my apron. “Of course.”