*✩Meridian, Idaho

✿ Aileen's POV

"Hey lady! What's the holdup?!"

"Stop holding up the line!"

"Move already!"

"Women!"

"What's she doing?!"

"Should I come up there and move you?!"

The cashier looks away in embarrassment and lowers herself from the high counter, tapping her fake press-on impatiently.

"Miss, please move. I don't want to lose my jo—"

"Yes!" I cry out with relief, slapping the paper card on the counter.

She eyes me and with a finger, moves the paper card in front of her. I smile and glance behind me at the angry queue.

"I have as much right to be here as you," I say to no one in particular.

A man scowls at me and the angry comments suddenly erupt. I quickly turn away.

"Miss, this coupon expired three weeks ago."

I frown at the cashier.

"What?"

"And it's a cereal coupon," she adds.

"What's wrong with a cereal coupon?" I ask in the same tone, taking back the coupon.

I glance at her shirt to catch her name.' Edith' tries not to get angry and instead, plasters a fake smile on her face.

"I can't accept this as payment for a children's hair product. So I'm going to have to ask you to step out of the line Miss," she says in between her teeth.

A white-haired figure flashes the corner of my eye and I turn.

Perfect timing!

"Sure Edith" I grin. "Have a lovely afternoon."

I step out of the line, crumbling the coupon, and toss it into the trash can just in time to hug my best friend. She glances at the long queue and hugs me back.

"You did your coupon thing again didn't you?" she asks.

We pull away and she gives me a judgy look.

"You said, and I quote,"Do something to pass the time," and so I did."

She laughs and shakes her head at me.

"You're going to get into a lot of trouble one day, Lee."

I shrug.

"And I'll be perfectly fine, Fifi."

"Okay," she chuckles.

We head out of the store and get into my car. Sophie turns on the radio as I start the car and begins to hum to the song they're playing. I chuckle.

"Do you know every song in this world?"

She smiles, checking her hair in the rearview mirror. I lower the glass on her side and she rolls it back up.

"Of course. And if I had a voice like yours, I'd be a superstar by now" she answers.

I shake my head and turn into the street.

"Has Geo called you yet?"

I drum my fingers against the steering wheel.

"I'm too fierce for him, Sophie. He can't call me."

She chuckles.

"Okay, first of all, you're not fierce," she says. "You're a sweet Hispanic young woman with Columbian and Puerto Rican ancestry."

I glance at her from the corner of my eyes with a little smile.

"And second," she bumps her shoulder with mine, "He's sweet like you."

"He's a pest," I say.

"Just because he tried to photograph you... one time."

"He's still a pest" I repeat.

"But a talented one, you have to admit."

I bob my head.

"True" I admit.

"Plus he's good looking" she sings and pokes my side.

I laugh.

"Sophie, he's a kook."

"Because his hair passes his collar and he wears shredded jeans?"

I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Because his idea of photographing me is only the first step in a very deliberate seduction scenario. And that, my dear Fifi, is never going to happen."

Sophie gestures at me to watch the road and I smile.

"If you say so" she sings again and turns up the music.

We drive to my house and Sophie quickly climbs out and races inside.

"You're not being fair Fifi!" I call out after her.

I lock my car and walk inside the house, heading straight to the kitchen where Sophie stood gulping down the can of Mountain Dew. She lets out a refreshing 'Aahh' and hands me the can.

"Aren't you two a little too old to still be playing this silly game?"

I chuckle and take a swig from the can.

"Says the thirty-two-year-old who's married to a grandpa" Sophie teases.

I let out a laugh after I swallow the drink and hand over the can to Bonnie. She takes a little sip.

"I am not a grandpa, Soph" his voice reaches our ears. "Fifty-five isn't that old."

He kisses his wife and opens his arms as he moves towards me.

"Hi Papi" I greet, squeezing into him.

"How come I didn't get a hug?" Bonnie asks, tossing the now empty can into the bin.

"Because you're married to a grandpa, Bonita" Sophie teases again.

"Shut up Fifi" she laughs.

"Hank, did you leave the toilet seat up again?" aunt Nora asks, walking into the kitchen.

She pauses and looks around.

"Oh it's a full house..." she glances at her watch "... at four-eighteen?"

Uncle Hank shakes his head at his ex-wife.

"I'll go close it," he says and leaves us.

My auntie turns to me.

"What are you doing here, miha?"

"I live here Nora" I chuckle, kissing both her cheeks lightly.

"Hey, didn't you have that big proposal order to deliver today?" Bonnie asks me.

I shake my head as I play with the frills on the tablecloth.

"No that's on Tuesday at three."

The kitchen goes dead silent and I look up.

"What?" I ask.

They exchange glances and nudge Sophie to speak up.

"Today's Tuesday, Lee. And it's way past three."

The words sink in slowly and I equally nod slowly.

"You're having an internal panic attack, aren't you?" Bonnie asks, rubbing her arm

I slowly nod and grab my keys off the table.

"Nobody say a word" I warn and turn out the door.

I hear footsteps follow me outside.

"Let us come with you Lee!" Bonnie cries out as I get into the car.

"No, I've got this," I tell them.

"Wait, wait! Drop me off at the shop, will you? I'm meeting Damien" Sophie shouts.

I wait for her to get in and speed off. I get to the bakery and my employees are pacing up and down the shop.

"Oh thank goodness Miss Lee!"

"We've been trying to reach you since you left!"

"Mr. Madden has been calling the shop but no one has been able to answer because we didn't even know what to—"

I wave my hands in the air and silence them.

"This isn't helping anyone guys," I say calmly, taking in a breath.

They follow me and take in deep breaths too.

"Lyra, if Mr. Madden calls again, tell him we're on our way. Jaime, attend to the customers at table eleven. Vee, please help that man up the ramp, won't you? Doug? Silas? Load the cupcakes into my car. It's go time."

They nod and move out. So here's what it is. My name's Aileen Wilmore; but my friends call me Lee, and I'm a baker, a candle maker, and the one with the long arms charged with taking group selfies.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" I bark orders as they load the cupcakes into my car.

I never met my mother and I lost my father when I was barely three. Since then, it's been my uncle Hank and I. He and aunt Nora split up shortly after they married... before I was born, and ten years later, he married Bonita... who for the record is only seven years older than I am.

"Are you good to go Miss Lee?" Silas asks as I start the car.

"Of course" I answer and step on the gas pedal.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Douglas stops me. "Who's in charge while you're gone?"

I glance between them through the window and toss the authority whisk.

"Vee's in charge," I say as she catches the whisk with ease behind the boys.

They turn and look at her with disappointment written all over their faces.

"Play nice boys" I chuckle and drive out into the street.

I aim to make it past the red light but I'm not fast enough and I have to stop.

Curse my patriotic trait!

I groan and lean back. A flashy car catches my attention through the rearview mirror and I peer. Not satisfied, I look through the side mirror.

"Who drives a BMW Z4 Roadster convertible in broad daylight?" I chuckle.

A song I'm familiar with comes on on the radio and I grin and turn up the sound and sing along.

"You got a fast car...
I want a ticket to anywhere...
Maybe we make a deal...
Maybe together we can get somewhere..."

The green light comes on and I hum the rest of the lyrics. I step on the gas pedal and the car rolls smoothly forward only to have the flashy car approach from behind me, cross to the wrong side of the bed, and swiftly cut in front of my car just to come to a stop.

I scream and hit the brakes. The car comes to an abrupt stop and I'm jerked forward so hard, I hit my head against the dashboard. I groan at the pain and curse under my breath.

I forgot to fasten my seatbelt!

I open my eyes and see that the car is still parked in front of my car.

"Oh, you son of a bitch!" I cuss loudly and get out of the car.

I march towards the BMW and tap impatiently on the tinted windows.

"Are you crazy?! Watch where you're driving! You almost killed me!"

The car's engine roars and I abruptly jump back. The door opens and ever so dramatically, a pair of brown leather Oxford shoes, probably from Berluti, step down from the car. The navy-blue Armani tux, sharp looking and well fitted, drapes the Greek god that steps out. He adjusts his cufflinks, takes off his sunglasses, and looks at me.

Shut up!

"I didn't see you there. Next time, huh?"

What the...?!

He holds the car door and attempts to get back in but I act fast and slam the door shut.

"Are you crazy?!" I cry. "You just tried to kill me and I don't even get a decent apology?!"

"Like I said, I didn't see you there. Next time."

I block his path.

"Oh no you don't!"

He huffs.

"Okay fine" he finally says.

I cross my arms with a smug look on my face.

And that's how it's done!

He reaches into his pocket and brings out his wallet. He pulls out the remaining cash in it and starts to count. He splits the money and hands me one-half of it.

"Here, this is five hundred dollars. Is that enough to get you away from my car so I can leave? I have more important things to do."

I frown.

"Fine, fine" he cuts me off before I speak. "Here" he adds the other half. "We good?"

I chuckle nastily and angrily click my tongue.

"You're a difficult woman aren't you?" he chuckles and pulls something from one of the compartments in his wallet.

He holds it in my face.

"You see this?" he asks. "This is a black card. How about I lend it to you for half a day huh? Go on a shopping spree, change your hair... or your car..." he glances at my Jeep and chortles. "Do whatever you want with it okay? Just step away from my car right now."

He had some nerve!

"You are a disgrace to all men in Armani suits" I nod at him.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" he asks.

I suck in my bottom lip in annoyance.

"You nearly kill me and instead of apologizing, you're throwing money at me?! What kind of person do you think I am huh?! Is it because I'm a woman of color?" I ask.

He furrows his brows in amusement.

"You're not a woman of color so don't try to play that card with me. And that accent is fake."

"Oh!" I throw my hands up in despair.

"Look, I didn't see you okay? But maybe if you went around driving without frosted windows, you'd see better."

I frown at him.

"Are you seriously trying to blame me right now?!"

He shrugs.

"You're the one with frosted windows so" he replies with a smug.

I open my mouth to give him a befitting reply when I catch sight of the backseat window, covered entirely with frosting. My eyes widen as I take a step toward my car.

The cupcakes!

The corner of my eyebrow stings and I winch and reach out to touch it. I bring my finger to my face and it is covered in blood.

"You should get that checked" the man chuckles, leaning against his opened car door.

He doesn't wait for me to answer and hops into the car. The engine roars and he speeds off. The smell of hot tires on the road makes me cough. I suppress my anger and rush to my car.

Most of the cupcakes were smushed. I groan in anger and claw at the air. I take in deep breaths and climb into my car, not forgetting to buckle up this time. I quickly speed-dial the shop and it's answered on the first ring.

"Sweets by Lee!" a voice chirps from the other side of the phone.

"Lyra, I need backup!"

I get to the location in record time and climb out of the vehicle.

"Oh my goodness! Is this what we paid you for?!" Mr. Madden cries when he sets eyes on me. "My daughter's boyfriend was supposed to propose to my daughter hours ago but the cupcake display isn't ready yet!"

I hold out my hands as I catch my breath.

"There was a bit of a snag on the way here and we lost more than half of the cupcakes but I've called for backup and they'll be here as soon as possible" I rant out and gasp for air.

The man looks at me and storms back into the house. I let out a frustrated groan and cover my face with my hands, forgetting I'm hurt. I wince but I don't have time to complain when I see the headlights from my bakery van flash at me.

"Oh thank goodness!" I sigh with relief.

Jaime, Douglas, and Silas climb out of the van and rush towards me. I wave my hands in the air and stop them from rumbling.

"Not now!" I snap. "We've got an engagement to save so let's do this."

They nod.

"Jaime, start moving the fresh cupcakes into the kitchen. Doug, go with her. I'll try to salvage the rest of the cupcakes from my car" I order.

"What do I do?" Silas asks.

A mischievous smile plays on my lips and I take him by the shoulders and stare into his eyes.

"You go into the hall, and play the saxophone like the god you are."

His eyes well up with happy tears before he salutes me.

"You won't regret this Miss Lee."

I nod and watch him run off into the van to bring out his saxophone. He salutes me again and runs inside the house. I laugh and hurry to get the unharmed cupcakes from my car.

By the time I'm done getting them all from my car, Jaime and Douglas have put up the cupcake display spelling out 'Will You Marry Me?' and are almost done putting the candles on top of each one.

"What are you doing to do with the ruined cupcakes Miss Lee?" Jaime asks, pausing to look over my shoulder.

I flash her a knowing smile and gather them all in one bowl.

"Cake pops" I answer.

I crack my fingers and roll my neck as Douglas takes out his phone and hits the playlist. The music begins and I start. I scrape off the frosting on all the cupcakes and crumble the cakes. I combine it with buttercream frosting and squeeze until they're squishy.

My favorite part of the song play comes on and I pause so I can sing along, making sure I hit all of the right notes. The other workers in the house help with shaping the mixture into tiny balls and coat them with either melted chocolate or candy melts.

We all sing along to the last line of the last song on the playlist just as I finish coating the last cake pop and we all cheer and clap.

"Good job everyone!" I cheer.

Mr. Madden hurries in with Silas in tow.

"Just in time" I grin and he lets out a sigh of relief.

He's about to say something when the cake pops on the tray catch his eyes.

"Do you mind if I—"

"Of course not. Please, help yourself" I smile.

He nods and takes a bite of cake pop. His eyes close and a silly smile appears on his face.

"Oh there's no way nothing can go wrong now. This proposal is saved!"

I smile.

"We aim to please," I say. "Okay, everyone. Let's go!" I order.

They begin to wheel the cupcake display out and others move the excess cupcakes and the cake pops into the hall. I grab the tray and follow them. The decorations are beautifully placed and I gesture to them to begin lighting the candles on the display as a young man goes on one knee to propose to Mr. Madden's daughter.

She gasps at the display and happily screams 'Yes'. Everyone in the hall cheers as I clap along. Douglas moves up to give me a hug and a shoot him a warning glare from the corner of my eyes. He slowly backs away and I pat him.

The waiters begin to pass around the cupcakes and the cake pops, making my eyes light up with satisfaction as I watch everyone who bites into it nod with satisfaction. I see the bride offer a snobby-looking couple a tray of cupcakes. The woman shakes her head in disgust and the man stared at the tray with longing in his eyes but doesn't make a move.

I look around for the groom and see him talking to other people. I shake my head and click my tongue.

"That just won't do" I sigh.

I grab a tray of cupcakes and approach the group.

"Hi," I grin. "I'm Lee, the baker."

The bride smiles at me but her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. The man gives me a stiff nod and the woman holds her head eye, probably eying me through her sunglasses.

What's with these rich people and indoor sunglasses?

"Cupcake?" I ask, holding the tray in her face.

She stumbles back a little and opens her mouth to say something when I cut her off.

"It's gluten-free."

She closes her mouth and lowers her glasses a little.

"Go on" I encourage, pushing the tray closer to her.

She reaches out for one and takes a bite. She nearly moans but catches herself and looks down at me with her stiff neck.

"Not bad for a street chef," she says curtly and walks away.

The man is about to follow her when I whistle him back. I switch my tray with the bride's and hold it out to him.

"Have a cheat day sir. You deserve it" I say to him.

He smiles and grabs two cupcakes off the tray. His happiness is short lives when the woman shouts his name and he scurries off. The bride laughs and I turn to her.

"Thank you..."

"Lee" I chip in, knowing she'd forgotten my name.

She nods, a little embarrassed.

"That was great... what you did. You actually got my mother-in-law to try a cupcake and got a smile and high praise from her, all on the same day?" she chuckles.

"That was a smile?" I ask. "Seemed more to me like a Severus Snape everyday look" I chuckle a little.

She throws her head back and lets out a laugh.

"I haven't laughed this hard since Tyler tried to sing 'Chandelier' at a college frat party."

I smile as her laughter dies down a bit.

"Seriously Lee, thank you."

I give her a grateful nod.

"We ladies have to look out for each other, and that's what Sweets by Lee is all about. We aim to please" I say taking out a business card. "Have you tried the cake pops? They're absolutely divine."

She chuckles.

"I see what you're doing Lee."

I shrug playfully and she takes the card.

"Of course, I'll give you a call when we set a date for the wedding."

"Yay," I let out.

She smiles. Her eyes scan my face and she shakes her head.

"I think you have a little... something... over here," she says slowing, pointing to the corner of her eyebrow.

I nod.

"You should get it checked. It looks pretty bad" she whispers to me.

Her fiancé approaches us and sweeps her into a passionate kiss. I look away and turn back when they're done.

"Congratulations," I say to both of them.

"Thank you" her fiancé responds.

"Lee here catered the desserts. She even got your mother to smile, can you believe that Ty?"

The young man gives me an approving nod.

"We're definitely calling you to cater for our wedding. Maybe you can get my mother to actually unstiff her neck, you know?"

I chuckle and nod.

"I'd definitely like to try. She seems like an interesting woman."

"She is" Tyler chuckles.

My eyebrow burns and I huff.

"Can you please point me to the bathroom?"

"Sure!" the bride chirps. "It's just through there."

I nod at her and follow the direction she pointed.

"Miss Lee, are you alright?" Jaime asks when I ran into her.

"Yes, yes. But could you take the tray and go fetch me the first aid kit in my car? I'll be in the bathroom."

She nods and hurries off.

"The tray..."

But she's long gone. I sigh and look at the last remaining cupcake on the tray.

"I guess it's you and me now buddy" I whisper to it and move towards the bathroom.

I step inside, close the door and open the windows. Setting the tray on the counter, I peer at myself in the mirror. I ran a hand through my dark curly hair and pull it into a low easy bun before splashing cold water on my face. The water stings my cut and I grimace.

Where in God's name is that girl?!

I exhale and yank a bunch of tissue paper out of the stylish tissue dispenser. I press it to my wound and grip the counter as the pain shoots up my head.

"I think I suffered a concussion" I murmur under my breath.

I dab at the dry blood and turn to dispose of the tissue when a figure catches my eye through the window.

Armani guy!

I smile.

"What a small, small world," I mutter.

I dispose of the tissue and wash my hands. Then grab the tray and waltz out of the bathroom. I take a turn around the corner and see him standing on the backyard patio.

The cool breeze renews my confidence and I slowly walk up to him, stopping behind him. Shortly after, he turns around and sees me.

"I'm going to have to call you back," he says to whoever he's speaking to.

He doesn't wait for an answer before hanging up. He folds his arms and looks at me.

"Are you stalking me?"

Afraid?

I smile and playfully shrug.

"Probably" I answer.

He unfolds his arms and slips his phone into his pocket.

"You know that's a crime right?"

"The same way you know attempted murder is."

He laughs.

"You're not still mad at that, are you? I offered you money, but you refused. I offered you a back card which you also refused" he states, "Or did you follow me here because you changed your mind?"

He pulls out his wallet again and I roll my eyes at the nerve he has to try and buy me off again.

"You're crazy."

"Says the one who's stalking me" he chuckles.

He holds out the card in my face.

"I'll offer it one more time. Here you—"

I slap the card out of his hand, but his grip is firm.

"Nice try. But I know people like you. You think you're so tough but I can make you come crawling to me with a snap of my finger" he whispers into my face.

I smile.

"You forgot to mention one very important thing about people like me" I sigh. "We find pleasure in the little things life offers us."

"Oh, is that a low-class motivational quote? Where'd you read it from? Pinterest?" he laughs in my face.

My smile disappears and I glare at him.

"Go to hell," I say to him and press the last cupcake into his face.

I smeer the frosting all over his face and the cake crumbles onto the floor. I push the tray into his chest and snatch the back card and throw it on the floor.

"Pinterest that, you asshole!"

Hello my beautiful readers! Thank you so much for giving this book a chance. If you enjoyed reading The Bridal Agreement, I promise you'll love this one too!
Thank you so much for the support ♥

~the_atticwriter