Free Cake by Lauren Dane Page B

lying.”
    He sighed, agitated, but then rolled his eyes. “It’s what I’m trying to say. But I don’t know if it’s clear.”
    “It is to me. A few things for you to sign. Kelsey needs them today. She said she gave you the same documents two days ago.”
    He’d apparently gone to Kelsey’s place to get things and told her he didn’t need a delivery. Whether he was avoiding her or just in the neighborhood or what she didn’t know. But she’d seen the look on his face when he’d finally realized she was there.
    There was no denying he was happy to see her.
    He frowned. “Always with the signing.”
    “I need to get you a shirt with that on the front. But I can’t figure out how to get the frown and the accent into it.”
    “You are mean to me.”
    She laughed as things eased between them at last. “I don’t take your shit. Now sign that stuff.”
    “I have cookies.”
    “Yeah?”
    “Yeah. I will sign and you can get the kettle on for tea. I woke up late so the black tea would be best.” He grabbed the envelope and a pen from the table and she headed into the kitchen.
    She got the water started for the tea and then measured the smoky loose leaves into his teapot.
    “I do love this teapot,” she said as he entered the kitchen.
    “It was one my mother brought when they came here. The papers are on the table near the door.”
    He grabbed a bakery box. “Coconut, chocolate and rose tea.”
    “That’s a Ladurée box.”
    “Yes, they have the best macarons in the world. I ordered them for my mother, who loves them. And for this other person I know. A pest who eats all my cookies and drinks my tea.”
    “Oh, my god, do you mean me?” She clutched her heart for a moment, teasing as she looked over the cookies so delicately nestled in the box. She grabbed a coconut one and reveled in how freaking delicious it was.
    “If the pest fits…”
    The cookie was absolutely delicious. “Magic.”
    “They are worth the cost of getting them shipped, no? I love the strawberry best, but they are not on the menu right now.”
    Of course he’d think that. Cookies from Paris were normal for him. Part of his allure. “I’ve never been to Paris.”
    He brought two tea mugs to the table and she perched in a chair, watching him move.
    “A crime. Paris is a fantastic city. One of my favorites.”
    “Do you ever go to Russia?” She knew he still had family there.
    “We went once a year when I was younger. I haven’t gone in years, though I should. My mother wants to go back to see her brothers. I have aunts, uncles and cousins. My agent has been urging me to do a show there.”
    “I’m sure they’re proud of you.”
    “My family?”
    “And Russia, too. They appreciate art with a great deal of zeal.”
    He lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps. My mother is getting older. I can make her comfortable here, of course, but I’ve been considering a trip for Mother’s Day. My father would most likely stay back. He has no fond memories and no wishes to return.”
    “There’s a story.”
    He sighed. “He’s a complicated person.”
    She pointed at the chair to her left. “Sit, I’m pouring tea.”
    He put out sugar cubes, the awesome natural kind she’d come to associate with him before he obeyed and sat. She dropped one in to her mug and stirred slowly.
    “I told you we came here when I was eleven. He was a doctor in Russia. He drove a cab here because the medical licensing is not the same. But he never complained. He says it was worth it to be done. To be away. He came up in a different Russia than the one he left and he says he didn’t like either. They had to leave most everything behind, only bringing ten boxes with them. This teapot.” He smiled. “I’ve had tea from it nearly every day of my life.” His expression darkened a moment. “She tried to break it once during an argument.”
    “Prentiss.” What a bitch. No matter how angry you are, you don’t break a guy’s special link with his family