Free 4 Vamp Versus Vamp by Christin Lovell Page B

again, and the cookies, too. Oh! I want you to try to make a cake. I’m thinking it could be layered, but you can do what you want there.” Gabi’s eyes lit up as she grabbed two of the largest bags of flour available, twenty pounds, before tossing another two into the cart right behind them.
    “Um, that’s a lot of flour.”
    “I want a lot of those baked treats,” she said. The guys nodded their heads emphatically next to her.
    “You know they go bad quickly with the you-know-what in them.”
    “We’ll figure it out.” She began loading the buggy with granulated and powdered sugar. “You know, you should think about opening your own bake shop. Do you know how many of us would buy these suckers from you? I know there would be a heavy price for overnight shipping, but truthfully, they’re worth it. We can’t eat the regular ones, and damn if I don’t miss them like crazy.”
    “I never really thought about it. Christmas was the only time I did it, and that was really just to keep a family tradition going.”
    An older woman raised her brows at our overflowing cart of baking ingredients. “You know, kids, sugar isn’t good for your teeth,” she stated in passing.
    We looked around at each other. The joke was definitely on her. I bit my lip to hold back my laughter.
    Mel came stomping down the aisle towards us. “There you are. I’ve been worried sick that I lost you.” She looked at the cart and then back at me. “My chocolate better not be damaged. The last thing I want is a Hershey crumble.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I burst into laughter. Between the elderly woman and Mel, I couldn’t hold back anymore.
    “Ugh. You can be so immature sometimes.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She grabbed Craig’s arm and dragged him with her towards the meat section.
    The rest of the shopping trip was uneventful. The cashier’s eyes widened at the sight of all the flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and other ingredients needed for baking. Between the steaks, the supplies, and Mel’s chocolate, the total added up to just over five hundred dollars. My jaw about hit the floor twice; first when the total appeared on the screen, and second when Jack pushed his way through the crowd and swiped a black credit card through the machine like it was no big deal. He didn’t even bat an eyelash.
    I knew I had money in the bank, but I hadn’t touched it for anything other than bills and gas. I didn’t know if that was good money management, sheer frugality, or just plain stinginess. I knew that I didn’t have my parents to rely on anymore for it, so I couldn’t be irresponsible with what I had, especially since I didn’t know when I would get paid again. Regardless of the number in the bank, when you know you’ll live forever, you can never have enough.
    “Don’t be naïve, babe.”
    I cocked my head to the side as I turned towards him. “ I’d rather be safe than sorry. ”
    “ Doesn’t mean you have to be a hoarder of pennies. ”
    The irritated look on his face said this was a sore subject. I immediately closed my thoughts off to him, unsure of what exactly had set him off. He knew my feelings about money and saving, yet he acted as though it was a fresh, impulsive idea.
    I sighed, walking away from him to Mel. It was her last day as a human. It was her day, and I knew I should be focusing on that.
    “Now we take this stuff home, somehow squeeze it into the freezer in your garage, and do what?” I prompted.
    “First, I want Starbucks on the way home. Then you guys can unload—” She looked at Jack, Craig, and Kellan pointedly. “And we can get the popcorn and movies ready. I already have the ones I want to watch.”
    “Sounds good. You know, I think I’m going to try to invent a special Frappuccino for us after tonight.” I linked my arm through hers and we skipped to the car.
    “I don’t know quite what to think about that one yet.” She bit the inside of her cheek as she considered the idea.