Only With Me (With Me #2)(38)

When I walked into the bakery, I was happy to see it was pretty full. I would have died if there hadn't been anyone here.

I walked up to Max. "What's up?"

He spun around and looked at me. "The mixer won't start and we need to make thirty lemon mascarpone cakes to be picked up tomorrow evening."

My mouth dropped as my eyes widened in shock. "Why?"

"Someone called earlier and asked if we could manage it. We were slow and had a working mixer, so I didn't think it would be a problem. Charity ran an errand and I haven't been able to reach her."

"I don't understand, why would someone need that many cakes?"

Max shrugged. "I don't know. She said she had stopped by the bakery before and had some. Said it reminded her of her grandmother's lemon mascarpone cakes."

My heart stopped. He loved my lemon mascarpone cakes. What if I'd been found? "What did she look like?"

Max shrugged. "She called, Gabi. I have no clue what she looks like." 

"Oh, right. Um, did she happen to leave her name?"

Staring at me as if I'd lost my damn mind, Max said, "Yes! But, Gabi, the mixer is not working and we need to get them made and you're worried about her name?"

I nodded. The fact that she mentioned it reminded her of her grandmother's recipe is what threw me. That recipe was my grandmothers, and I used it right down to the secret ingredient. "Right. Sorry, let's look at it. I can't imagine anything going out on it. It's only a year old!"

Max and I headed to the mixer only to find Nic was already working on it. I quickly glanced around to see where Katerina was. She was walking off, heading into the dining area of the bakery.

Focusing back on Nic, I asked, "Do you have any idea what's wrong?"

He glanced up and smiled. "Yeah, the breaker tripped." He turned on the mixer and it came to life. Relief washed over my body.

"Thank God that was it!" I jumped into Nic's arms the moment he stood. "Thank you for fixing it."

With a chuckle, he kissed me on the forehead then looked at Max. "You didn't think to look at the breaker?"

Max gave Nic a deer in the headlights look. "The breaker?"

"Yeah, Max. Somehow the breaker was tripped."

"Why in the world would I think about that? I'm a pastry chef, not an electrician."

Spinning on his heels, Max quickly set off to getting everything ready to make the cakes. I turned back to Nic. "We received a huge order for lemon mascarpone cakes. I need to stay and help."

"Where's Charity?" Nic asked.

I shrugged as I put an apron on. "Max said she left to run an errand when things were slow and he hasn't been able to get a hold of her. I'm so sorry, I need to stay and help."

Nic flashed that amazing smile of his. "Let me take my mom back to her car, then I'll come back and help."

My stomach dropped. This man was a dream come true. I felt so foolish for how I had acted earlier.

"I'd love that."

Katerina cleared her throat and we both turned to face her. "Nonsense, I'll stay and help."

Nic laughed, but when Katerina shot him a dirty look, he stopped.

"You're so sweet," I said with a smile. "But honestly, you don't have to do that."

Lifting her head, Katerina simply grinned and said, "I want to help. Now, you go out there with your customers, and I'll help Nic and . . ."

"Max," I added.

"Yes, Max. I'll help him make your mascarpone cake."

My eyes darted over to Nic who simply shrugged.

Damn. Where was Kilyn when I needed her?

"O-okay. Max knows all the measurements and such."

Katerina put her hands on my back and gently gave me a push.

"Off you go! I am the master in the kitchen."

My eyes widened in horror. Nic took my elbow and led me out into the bakery. It felt as though someone was sitting on my chest as I glanced over my shoulder and watched the scene play out before my eyes.

Katerina turned to Max, placed her hands on her hips and said, "Give me the recipe, young man. I'm in charge."

"Oh, my God," I whispered as I stopped and headed back into the kitchen.

"Katerina, honestly you don't have to do this."

She slowly turned and looked at me. "Do you not trust me?"

I let out a nervous laugh. "Well, you did just find out your son was dating me and that I'm not Greek."

Nic let out a small groan from behind me.



       
         
       
        

"Young lady, I take cooking very seriously. This is your business, and obviously my Nicholaus seems to be entranced by you. Therefore, I intend on helping you. It is not a sin to admit when you are defeated and need help."