Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) by Aspen Drake Read Free Book Online Page B

today. Said he needed to help a friend out.”
    “Hmm. Well, he didn’t mention anything to me.”
    “He said something about a big order.”
    Fuck, the Stephens’ get together is tonight. I almost forgot. It’s certainly something I can handle on my own, but it would be easier with help.
    “Yeah, there’s a party tonight that we’re suppling a large order of cream sticks for. You sure you’re up for it?” I sneer, giving him the impression I want him to say no, but inwardly hoping he’ll say yes.
    “Sure.” He waggles his brows at me. “As long as you don’t cover me in them like last time.”
    “Hey.” I turn and point my finger at his chest. “I had to sneeze. Would you rather we had to remake the whole cake or just one pan?”
    “Just sayin’.” Cody laughs as he follows me through the back door. I turn on the lights, and the fluorescent beams illuminate the small work room in the back. Since the downtown area doesn’t get as much traffic on the weekends, we still have a few hours before the front of the store opens. That should give Cody and I plenty of time to prep and get the batter started.
    “I love this smell,” Cody says as he inhales deeply and looks around the bakery. “Nothing like fresh baked pastries to make the day better.”
    I roll my eyes and walk to the office to set my purse down on the desk. “When did you become Mr. Happy?”
    “I’m usually happy,” he quips. “I just have even more reasons to be happy today.”
    Stepping out of the office, I grab two fresh aprons from the hanger outside the office door. I toss one toward Cody, not at all surprised when he catches it in the center of his chest.
    “Nice toss.” A smile curves the edge of his lips.
    “I know.” I smirk and chance a glance at him. “Come on. We’ve got some pastries to make.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Cody gives me a wink.
    Despite my best efforts at being mean, I can’t help but smile. His cheerful attitude is one of the reasons I fell in love with him in the first place. He’s a caring guy who would give the shirt off his back if it would help someone.
    I’m grateful Cody’s back is turned to me because crimson floods my face at the thought of seeing him shirtless. The taut muscles beneath his tight T-shirt seem to react to my thoughts as he flexes under the fabric while tying the apron around his back.
    “What’s first?” He turns and I quickly avert my eyes.
    Pointing toward the shelves of flour, I nod in the same direction. “Let’s get the pastries going.”
    Cody gives me a salute and moves over to the shelves, pulling everything he needs from the neatly arranged rows.
    We quickly fall into a steady pattern of making delicious treats. In addition to the cream sticks, I whip up some cupcakes and sugar cookies for the weekend shoppers. Cody spends his time filling the catering order that needs to be ready by three this afternoon.
    Working with Cody was always a pleasant experience, and I sometimes forget how much fun we used to have. He always lets me babble on about the most recent episode of a Housewives show, never complaining that he couldn’t care less who was fighting with whom.
    In turn, I listen to him describe all the new parts he’s had installed on his bike. Although I never understand half of what he’s talking about, I know how much he loves his bike. It’s like his baby, and he takes better care of it than his own home.
    Once I get the last few cupcakes iced, I unlock the front door and flip the small sign in the window to open. Cody keeps working in the back as I take care of the few customers who straggle in from nine to noon.
    At five till twelve, Aaron walks in. “I see Mason has Cody here today,” he says nonchalantly. “He ran out of here pretty quick last night. I hope nothing bad happened.”
    “I think Cody mentioned that he needed to help a friend with something that came up.”
    “Oh, okay. Cool.” Aaron settles in behind the counter, taking inventory of the