Lucky's Choice
Page 65

 Douglas’s shoulders slumped as he gave in, taking a chair.
 Willa introduced the two men while she poured Douglas’s coffee and picked him out the largest cupcake on the platter, placing it on a pretty saucer with a paper doily. Humming, she set them in front of him then sat down at the table next to him while Douglas stared at the cupcake and coffee making no move to touch either.
 Scooting her chair closer to the table, she placed her elbow on the table, propping her cheek on her hand, wanting to see his reaction when he bit into the cupcake. He hesitated until he looked up and saw she was waiting expectantly.
 “I’ve been working on tweaking a recipe I found in an old cookbook for two days.”
 “It looks delicious.” He didn’t sound as if he thought it was going to be good.
 Willa frowned then smiled when he took a large bite.
 “It’s great. It’s even better than your chocolate lava.” He licked a dollop of frosting off his lip. “Do I taste bourbon?”
 Willa nodded. “Did I use too much? I don’t drink, so I couldn’t taste-test.”
 “You might cut back on it some,” he advised, taking a drink of his coffee.
 “I told her she should use some more,” Dustin said, getting up to get another one.
 “That’s your last one,” Willa threatened. “I don’t think you’ll be able to drive if you eat any more.”
 Dustin sat down, already biting into another cupcake. “I can just see Knox’s face if he pulls me over, and I tell him I’ve been eating drunken cupcakes.”
 “They aren’t drunk; they’re tipsy,” Willa countered.
 “They’re drunk off their ass,” Douglas muttered, taking another bite.
 “I’ll adjust the recipe.” She put her full attention on Douglas. “So, you wanted to talk about the costs?”
 “What? Oh, yeah. I emailed you the cost of the new cabinets.”
 Willa picked up her cell phone, pulling up her email, and then she started getting heart palpations at the figure she was staring at.
 “I just wanted ordinary white cabinets.”
 “You already have those. For the same price, you can get those. They’re on sale, and with my discount, it’s a good deal.”
 “Are the white ones on sale? If they are, they would be cheaper. I could save—”
 “They aren’t on sale,” Douglas cut her off.
 Willa stared down at the figure, her mind running the total cost of the project.
 “Get the cabinets. Kitchen upgrades always increase the value of the home.”
 “I know, but…”
 They went back and forth. She was finally satisfied when Douglas promised to check a competitor’s price. She also showed him a sale ad for the carpet she had picked out, telling him she would give him a check to go ahead and make the purchase.
 “I told you it would be better to wait. They always run sales on the first of the month. I saved eighty-nine dollars,” Willa said proudly.
 “I’ll take care of it tomorrow,” Douglas said, getting up and carrying his dirty cup to the sink. “I need to get going.”
 “I’ll see you later this week. Lucky wanted to stop by yesterday, but we didn’t get time. We’re packing—”
 “You’re moving?” Douglas asked sharply.
 “Don’t worry; I’m not moving back into my house. We’re moving just outside of town. Lucky wants to build his own home.”
 “What about the one you’re working on?”
 “I’ll probably rent it out. I want to save it for my children.”
 “I see.”
 From his frown, she didn’t think he did, but she didn’t pry. Douglas was a nice man who liked his privacy and didn’t pry into other’s business, so she saw nothing wrong with extending the same courtesy.
 He was almost out the front door when she caught up with him. “I boxed you up a couple of cupcakes.”
 “Oh, thanks.” He nodded at Dustin who had followed Willa into the hallway. “It was nice meeting you.”
 “You, too,” Dustin said, holding out his hand. “I wouldn’t eat any more of those if you’re driving,” he joked.
 Willa thought she heard Douglas say, “No shit.”
 After the door was closed, she turned to Dustin. “Did he say…?”
 “He said they were a little too sweet.”
 “Really? Then maybe I should cut back some on the sugar,” Willa mused aloud as they walked back into the kitchen.
 “You do that, add a touch more bourbon, and you’ll have a winner.”
 “You think so?”
 “Yeah. When you make them, text me. I’ll taste-test them for you again.”
 Willa smiled, refilling his coffee cup. “You didn’t wear your suit I bought you today.”
 Dustin lost his happy expression. “No, you said Lucky wasn’t going to be here today. I still don’t see what would have been wrong with jeans and a T-shirt.” He smoothed down his T-shirt with ‘I Dig’ and a picture of a plant. Willa thought it might be a picture of cannabis, but she couldn’t be sure.
 “It’s not exactly professional,” she said delicately, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “Lucky is my husband. I want him to have confidence in you.”
 “Did it work?”
 “Oh, yes.” Willa nodded happily. “You were amazing. I knew you would be.”
 Dustin flushed, staring up at her, and she went to put the coffee pot up then turned when she heard Dustin greet Lucky.
 Once Lucky came to the counter, pulling her into his arms and kissing her breathless, she had to hold onto the counter as he released her.
 “How are you doing tonight, Dustin?” Lucky asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
 “I’ve been better,” he said, picking up his briefcase.
 “Did you eat too many cupcakes?” Willa asked in concern.
 “No, I skipped dinner. Too many sweets on an empty stomach, I guess.” His expression was downcast.
 “I should have asked. I’m so sorry. I could make you a sandwich if you want.” She placed her hand on his arm in sympathy.
 He seemed about to accept then changed his mind, looking at Lucky over her shoulder. “That’s okay. It’s Greer’s turn to cook. I’m sure there are plenty of leftovers.”
 “It wouldn’t take me long.”
 “No, don’t bother. I’ll see you in a couple of days, Willa.”
 She started to follow him out but Lucky walked by her, following him, so Willa began doing the dishes. She didn’t have many, because she liked to do them as she used them.
 “Why don’t you use the dishwasher?” Lucky asked, coming back into the room.
 “I didn’t have enough dishes to do a full load.”
 He pulled her into his arms. “You could just stack them in the dishwasher until you have a full load.”