Page 23 of Inked Heart
“Morning,” he says.
“Morning.”
Skye hands out cupcakes like it’s her job, while the rest of the crew gathers around the counter.Damien eventually stands and walks over, accepting one quietly.
“You’re going to single-handedly destroy our productivity,” he tells me.
“Worth it.”
He takes a bite and his eyes close for half a second.That tiny reaction sends an unexpected flutter through my stomach.
“They’re good,” he says.“That’s the third batch this week.”
“I’m testing recipes.”
“Scientific research,” he says seriously.
“Exactly.”
For a few minutes the conversation stays light.Jokes.Cupcakes.Normal things.But eventually the topic I’ve been avoiding all morning surfaces anyway.
Skye glances between Damien and me with obvious curiosity.“So,” she says slowly.
My stomach sinks.“So ...what?”
“I heard you two ran into each other at the grocery store last night.”
I glare at her.“How did you...”
“Franklinton,” she says simply.
Right.Small town.News travels faster than Wi-Fi.
“It was nothing,” I say quickly.
Damien doesn’t say anything, which somehow makes it worse.
Skye’s eyes narrow slightly.“Uh-huh.”
Laine looks up from his tablet.“Emette was there, too, right?”
My chest tightens.“Yes.”
“And?”
“Nothing.”
Luke snorts.“That didn’t sound convincing.”
I cross my arms.“It was just a misunderstanding.”
Damien shifts beside me.“He called her stupid.”
The words hit the room like a dropped glass.Everyone goes quiet and my face burns.
“Damien!”
“What?”he says calmly.“That’s what happened.”
