He never knew there was so much more to baking than mixing up some delicious-tasting batter and pouring it into a pan. But Pepper was showing him another side of the business and he was enthralled with it. She made it look so easy—like anyone could do it. Even him.
She moved the corkscrew to a piece of waxed paper and then started to make a new one. They were beautiful. They were like little pieces of art.
And the guilt he’d been carrying around with him most of the day mounted.
“Pepper—”
“Just give me one more minute.” Her full attention was on her work and he couldn’t blame her. What she did here was like magic. If he tried to do the same thing, he’d end up with burnt sugar.
He knew he should hurry. He didn’t have that much time to get out of the city and to his country estate, where the big Christmas celebration was taking place. But he didn’t move a muscle as he stood there watching Pepper do her thing. Each golden caramel corkscrew was then placed atop a cupcake. They looked too good to eat.
When Pepper had finished with all the cupcakes, she straightened, glanced at him and blinked, as though she’d forgotten that he was still there waiting to talk to her. And then her gaze moved to the clock above his head.
“I have to hurry.” Her beautiful face creased with worry lines.
“What happens if you don’t finish these?” He knew the stakes were high, but he wondered how high they were.
Pepper shook her head as she boxed up the cupcakes. “That can’t happen.”
He moved next to her, placing a lid on the full box. “Pepper, stop for just a moment.”
She turned to him. “Simon, I’m sorry. I just don’t have time to talk. I have a very important party.”
“That’s the thing.”
“What’s the thing?”
His gaze met hers. “The party. It’s mine.”
“Yours?” She shook her head. “I spoke with a woman. Elaine something or other. I have her full name written on the order. And this party is in Connecticut.”
He nodded. “Elaine Haskins is my assistant and the party is at my country home.”
Pepper’s face creased with lines of frustration. She didn’t say a word as she digested the information.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “This is my fault. Everyone was so impressed with you at the office party that Elaine added you to our catering list. After what happened between us, I forgot to say anything to her. I totally understand you wanting to cancel—”
“Cancel?” Her shoulders straightened and she lifted her chin slightly. “I’m not canceling.”
“You’re not?” He was so confused.
“We have a contract. I expect you to keep your end of it.”
“But why? I mean, why would you want to cater a party for me?”
“Because this is business. It’s not personal. I can’t believe I have to explain this to you.”
And then he thought of the empty bakery and the overabundance of unsold goods. Something had happened to her business, and he wondered if it had anything to do with the paparazzi fuss when they’d caught on to their night together. His jaw tightened. He was so used to it that he hadn’t stopped to consider how it might affect Pepper.
“And you don’t mind working this party, even though it’s for me.”
She straightened her shoulders and there was a slight tilt to her chin. “I’m a professional. I can do this job. There won’t be any problems.”
“I know you are and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” He couldn’t shake the thought of the baked goods going to waste in her display cases. “I’ll throw in extra if you include everything in your cases.”
Her mouth gaped. She quickly regained her composure. “Why would you do that? If you want a cherry turnover that bad, all you have to do is ask.”
He would make sure and set those aside for himself. “I have some extra guests,” he said, which was the truth, but just part of it. “I want to make sure there’s enough for everyone.”