Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Uh, okay.” She hesitated a moment and then turned and skipped to the front door. When she reached it, she twisted back around to wave at him. She was smiling.
Evan’s heart was pumping so fast as he pulled away from her, he feared it might beat right out of his chest.
He couldn’t wait for tomorrow night.
Chapter Five
After work the next day, Tori rushed into her brother’s house to shower and change for her date. She didn’t have a clue what to do. Tori hadn’t been allowed to date while she lived with her parents. She hadn’t told her brother yet, but she was going. Terry would encourage her to go—she thought.
Terry was in the kitchen and called out to her as she rushed by. “What’s the hurry, Tori?”
She paused at the entrance to the hallway and turned to look back at him. “Uh. I have a date. I guess. Or whatever. Evan is picking me up at six.”
She was relieved when Terry smiled. His brows were also furrowed, but he didn’t look displeased. “I like Evan, but be careful, please. You haven’t dated at all. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
She nodded, her cheeks heating. “I think it’s too late for that.” She’d never hidden anything from her brother. She wanted to talk to him.
His brows drew together tighter. “What do you mean?”
She drew in a breath. “I mean I already like him. A lot. If he breaks up with me, I’ll be hurt.”
Terry came to her and gave her a big hug before releasing her to hold her at arm’s length and look into her eyes. “I don’t think Evan is going to break up with you. He’s pretty determined. I’m not worried about him, but I want you to be sure, Tori. Mom and Dad did you a horrible disservice by keeping you so sheltered. I was away at school or on my own. I never saw—did you ever even go to sleepovers with friends?”
“Oh, no. I really wasn’t allowed to have friends,” she confessed. “That’s why I like working at Little Cakes so much. They like me—Ellie, Tarson, Riley, Sue. Even their friends who come in to visit are, well, friendly. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the regulars, too.”
“You were so scared when I suggested you get a job,” Terry reminded her.
“I know. I’m glad I could fill the form in online. It would have been impossible to fill out that application in the store. I had a hard enough time during the interview. Ellie is so sweet. She made me feel like maybe I could do this.”
“You do a great job. Ellie’s a smart cookie.”
“Cupcake, Terry,” Tori corrected with a laugh.
“Look at you making a joke. Working at that bakery has been good for you.”
“I know. Thank you for suggesting I come live with you instead of going to Florida with Mom and Dad,” she said, rushing forward to hug her brother.
“I hope it’s life-changing for you.” Terry leaned back to look into her eyes. “As for Evan, I like him, but what I think isn’t as important as what you feel. Make sure it feels like the right choice. In your heart. Okay?”
She nodded. What an odd conversation to have with her brother. “Okay, I promise.”
To lighten the mood, she joked, “Can you stop lecturing me so I can go shower and change? I don’t think he’ll want to date me at all if I smell like frosting every time he picks me up.”
Terry chuckled as he released her. “Go. I’ll let him in when he gets here. Shall I send him up to your room?” he teased.
She winced. “Uh, yeah.”
“Are you serious? Did you stay up all night cleaning or something?”
She shook her head. “He said he wanted to see my room and he insisted I not change it so he’ll know me better.” The entire idea suddenly sounded ludicrous coming from her lips. She groaned. “I shouldn’t have listened to him. I should have cleaned all night, shouldn’t I?”
Terry laughed. “Nope. I think Evan had the right idea. No sense pretending to be someone you’re not and then pulling a bait and switch.”
She frowned. “What exactly is a bait and switch?”
“It’s when you pretend to be one way while you’re dating and your boyfriend doesn’t find out until it’s too late.”
“Too late?”
Terry tapped her nose. “After he marries you.” He chuckled. “Don’t tell a man you can cook dinner if you can’t. He’ll be disappointed.”
She gasped to cover the thrilling zing that went through her at his suggestion. “No one is talking about marriage, Terry. Don’t be ridiculous. We’re just going on a date. A second date.”
Terry lifted a brow. “How was the first date?”
She inhaled deeply, knowing she couldn’t hide the dreamy look in her eyes. “Best day of my life.”