Free The Secret Ingredient by Nina Harrington

was a beaming smile and a small business card popped into his shirt pocket with a cheeky wink while the little girl in the buggy amused herself by painting the jam from her donut onto the leg of his trousers.
    Charming.
    Five minutes later he had to physically unwrap the fingers of one charming cherub from his jacket and slide backwards into the cake shop. In an instant he closed the door tight behind him, his back flat against the glass, and exhaled slowly.
    ‘It must be nice to be so popular.’ A familiar female voice chuckled and Rob opened his eyes to see Lottie staring at him from behind the counter. ‘Are you available next Thursday morning? I’m thinking of doing Zumba for the under-fives. You would be a great hit for the lovely mums.’
    ‘Sorry. Previous booking. And please tell me that it’s not always like that.’
    ‘Oh, no,’ Lottie tutted. ‘Sometimes it can be quite rowdy.’ Then she smiled. ‘But brilliant fun for the kids. They have the best time and the mums have a chance to meet their pals. I love it.’ Then she pressed her lips together. ‘Do you drink tea?’
    ‘Don’t tell Dee but I would love a coffee,’ Rob replied and stepped forwards to the counter.
    Lottie pushed her lips out. ‘Let me guess. Double-shot Americano. The breakfast of champions.’
    Just for one split second Rob thought about calling her bluff but just the thought of that coffee was making his mouth water.
    ‘Damn. I hate to be predictable. Hit me.’
    ‘With pleasure,’ she whispered and then shook her head, rolled her eyes skywards and turned back to face him with a small shoulder shrug. ‘House rule. If you are a guest you have to eat something baked on the premises with your beverage. The donuts lasted thirty seconds but I have grown-up cakes galore.’
    Then she turned away and continued talking but he couldn’t hear a word above the hiss and explosive steam from the coffee machine.
    ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that,’ Rob said and strolled casually around the counter and stepped up to Lottie as she tapped out the coffee grounds.
    In front of him was a kitchen about the same size as the one in his London penthouse apartment, except this kitchen was jam-packed with stainless-steel appliances and what looked like two commercial-size ovens. The air was filled with the most delicious aroma of baked goods. Spices and vanilla combined with the unique tang of caramel and buttery pastry and fresh-baked bread. Rob took a moment to appreciate the aroma.
    ‘What do you think you are doing?’ she muttered between clenched teeth and whirled around and pressed both hands flat against his chest and pushed hard.
    ‘Nobody—and I mean nobody—comes into my kitchen without asking me first. Do you let strangers just walk into your kitchen? No. I didn’t think so. Step back. All the way. And stay there. Thank you, that’s better. Take a seat and I’ll be right with you.’
    Then she exhaled slowly and stepped back to the coffee machine, mumbling under her breath as she went.
    ‘Apologies,’ Rob said and raised both hands in the air. ‘My fault entirely. I am so used to walking into other people’s kitchens I forgot my manners.’
    ‘Um, well, I hope that you remember at the fundraiser,’ Lottie replied and stabbed the coffee spoon in his direction. ‘The whole idea is to raise funds for scholarships to the catering college. Not scare the VIPs away.’
    ‘Hey. I can play nice when the occasion demands,’ Rob replied and hit her with his sweetest smile.
    ‘That’s good to know.’ Lottie sighed as she strolled towards his table carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee that smelt so good his mouth was practically watering before he sat down.
    She took a breath, put the tray onto the table, and then shuffled onto the chair facing him.
    Watching him take that long, deep sip of piping-hot black coffee. Just the way he liked it. Perfect.
    ‘Great coffee. And thank you again for helping my mother out last