“Supply and demand and limited resources. You have to bake your own.”
“Isn’t that what she told you from the start?” Tobin inserted smarmily.
“All of us Mud Lilies are doin’ our duty.” GG glanced at Tobin again. “Didja get sprinkles and red licorice?”
“Yes ma’am. And gumdrops. And icing. And some fruit-shaped hard candies. No golden coins or silver swirls or crystal flakes, Miss New York City.”
“Do not start, you two. I mean it,” GG warned. “I’m extra poopy-doopy today and I’m blaming it on wearing khakis. Boo for bland. I miss my rainbow spandex, feathers, glitter and neon Converse. Dressing upstanding makes me want to upchuck.”
Tobin grinned. “Amen, sister.”
Jade had no idea what they were talking about, but wow. Tobin had one really big dimple when he grinned like that. She stared at his mouth, hoping to see that divot again, and noticed he had nice lips when they weren’t forming a scowl.
Tobin made a noise and her gaze zoomed to his.
She didn’t see smugness or a cocky smirk, just genuine surprise that she’d been transfixed by his mouth.
GG clapped her hands and Jade jumped.
“We have a busy night on the cupcake express. So let’s discuss—not argue—who is doin’ what. I need one of you as a baker’s helper and the other as a decorator.”
“I’ll help you bake them,” Jade jumped in before Tobin could.
“What the hell? I bought the stuff, I should get to choose first,” Tobin complained.
“That’s why you should decorate them. You went to all the trouble to choose the special finishing touches. I’d hate to deprive you of your chance to create magical fruit rainbows and gumdrop mountain masterpieces.”
Tobin gifted her with that dimpled smile. “Ah, sugar, is that your way of hinting you want me to build a rainbow friendship bridge between us?”
“How about you survive frosting and decorating sixty cupcakes before you add more work into your night?”
GG slowly rose to her feet. “I’ll get out the mixer and the pans.”
After GG was gone, Tobin walked over and parked himself in front of Jade. “In the spirit of cooperation, I will let you swap jobs with me.”
“Not a chance. I’m sure a macho cowboy like you who doesn’t cook or bake at all, isn’t the least bit concerned that his decorating skills might be subpar and would embarrass Miz G in front of her pals.”
He shrugged. “I’m not worried. I just wanted to give you a chance to shine for your grandmother.”
“Oh really?”
“Yep. But it’s your loss. I’m gonna decorate the hell out of those cupcakes. They will be a sight to behold.”
“I can’t wait to see your creations. Maybe I should take notes.” She cocked her head. “Luckily I happen to have a piece of paper right here.” She dug the note he’d left her out of the front pocket of her jeans, slowly unfolded it and slapped it on his chest. “Do not delude yourself that you have any right to tell me what or what not to do.”
“Tiger’s got claws,” he murmured.
“What did you hope to accomplish with that note?”
“Look, I wrote it last night when I was pissed off at you, all right?” His gaze briefly dipped to her mouth before connecting with her eyes again. “After I left for work I was hoping it fell down and you didn’t see it because, believe it or not, I don’t want to fight with you.”
She said, “‘There will be hell to pay’ and ‘don’t test me on this’ were code for ‘let’s kiss and make up’?” Her face flamed. Why in the world had she said that?
And why did Tobin’s eyes gleam as if he considered that a great idea?
“Jade? Are you coming to help me or what?” GG yelled from the kitchen.
Saved by the yelling granny. “Be right there.” She crumpled the note in her fist and tossed it at him.
Tobin caught it before it bounced off his chin. He grinned. “You added hearts and flowers to this, didn’t you?”
“More like daggers and skulls.” She sidestepped him and hustled into the kitchen.
Of course Tobin didn’t stay out of the kitchen.
Within ten minutes of GG heading to her “boudoir” for a long bubble bath, he wandered in. He invaded Jade’s space so completely she caught a whiff of the soap he used.
“Smells great in here. Are there any extra samples you need me to try?”
“Should’ve gotten here sooner for that.”
“Damn. So are any of them ready for me?”
“No. They have to be cooled completely before you can frost them. I just took the last batch out of the oven fifteen minutes ago.”