Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“Oh! I forgot. You have to go to work. Do you have time to work on my phone? I could block all those guys.”
“I’m not having you look at all those messages again, Precious Girl. I’ll take care of it. Are you okay with me having your phone today? You’ll stay here until I come pick you up?” Deke asked, looking concerned.
“Of course, I can survive without my phone for one day. How ridiculous! And people used to drive around all the time without cell phones. I can just meet you at your house.”
“You’re working until close tonight, right?”
“Yes. It’s my long day. Even if it wasn’t, I’d stay all day after flaking out yesterday. I know they’re dangerously low on salsa without me,” Maya told him.
“It’s good for them to know how much you contribute. And you didn’t flake out. You weren’t well,” he reminded her.
“I do feel better today than I have in a long time,” Maya confessed.
“I’m glad. Stay here. I’ll be here as soon as the mall closes and we’re finished cleaning up,” Deke told her.
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl,” he said quietly and rewarded her with one last kiss. “If you have a break today, you could go get us some Malted Milk cupcakes. I might be persuaded to eat them for breakfast, but be aware of your surroundings and don’t go anywhere else. We still don’t know who’s sending you roses.”
“Okay, Daddy. I’ll be careful. I’ll go grab some Malted Milk cupcakes before they change the featured flavor to something else,” Maya promised and shooed him off toward his vehicle.
She waved when Deke honked at her before leaving the parking lot. Maya couldn’t believe how much she loved him. With a smile, she turned and headed back into the restaurant to get busy. Hopefully, the time would race by.
Chapter Twenty
“Good heavens, Maya! Is there a hurricane going on out there?” Ellie asked when Maya raced into Little Cakes.
“Just inside La Havana,” Maya explained, trying to pat down her hair. She’d yanked the hair covering off to race to the cupcake shop before they closed. “Sorry to get here at the last minute. We’ve been slammed today. That’s a good thing, but I haven’t even had time to pee today, and Daddy suggested we get some cupcakes.”
“Go to the bathroom. I’ve got you,” Ellie promised.
With a grateful nod, Maya raced into the bathroom. When she came back into the dining area, Sue was sweeping the floors as Ellie wiped off the tables. “I really got here at the last minute, didn’t I?”
“I put the last Malted Milk cupcakes in a box for you and your Daddy, Maya,” Ellie told her cheerfully. “And I will always open the door for you. We’re being super-efficient today to get out of here because a bunch of us are all going to Blaze. You should come some time.”
“That would be fun.”
“Why don’t you come after work? That’s early. The crowd will gather later,” Ellie explained.
“I’ll talk to Deke,” Maya promised, but thought ‘not tonight.’ “Look at me. I look like I took a bath in salsa.”
“I’m sure I have some Little clothes that would fit you. You’re not too much shorter than I am,” Ellie said, assessing her friend.
“Oh, I don’t want to stretch your clothes out,” Maya said quickly.
“Stretch them out? Not likely. I’ll bring some just in case.” Ellie walked with her to the counter where a box of cupcakes awaited.
“You’re so sweet. Maybe we’ll see you there,” Maya told her as she opened her billfold to pay. She knew they’d never get there tonight.
Minutes later, she walked slowly down to the restaurant with the cupcakes. It would be so fun to see what an adult club looked like. She was sure it was all black and red with velvet and leather everywhere. Lost in thought, she almost walked past La Havana’s door.
“Hey, Maya. Come in and sit while you wait for Deke. I know you’re exhausted. Did you get dinner?” Mateo asked.
“No, but that’s okay,” Maya answered, sliding into a booth after setting the cupcakes down carefully.
“No, it isn’t. Sit. I’ll go grab some of the cheese and crackers I keep in the office to munch on.”
In a few minutes, he was back with a bottle of cold water and a treat. “These were all I had. Peanut butter crackers.”
“Thanks, Mateo. I love those,” Maya said gratefully, tearing into the wrapper.
“I do, too.” He pulled another pack out of his pocket and opened it up.
They sat there quietly eating for a couple of minutes.
Maya studied his face before daring to ask, “Can you tell me about Blaze?”
“It’s a fun place. There’s a Littles area with lots of space to have fun. Are you thinking about going tonight?”
“I don’t really look like I should go tonight. I won’t impress anyone looking like this,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh.