Free Love for Dessert (Contemporary Romance) by Kate Goldman Page B

here,” the younger man answered curtly, in a very rude tone.
     
    Anastasia looked confused. “He told me he had to close, because of the uh…”
     
    “Heart attack?” The guy scoffed. “It’s my old man’s time anyway. Darren’s not here,” he said in a tone that clearly said “leave.”
     
    Anastasia was completely confused as to why Darren would lie to her a second time, but she couldn’t argue with this guy, as the other men looked incredibly dangerous. She was also incredibly disgusted by his attitude towards his own father’s condition. Sighing, Anastasia turned around and headed out of the bakery, not sure what to feel.
     
    She pulled out her phone and called Darren, but he didn’t answer. Sighing again, she headed home. Darren texted her late at night. Hope I’m not waking you up. Sorry about not being able to be with you today, how’s tomorrow? Please say yes. He even added a smiley face.
     
    Being lonely and not wanting to believe that Darren would lie to her on purpose, Anastasia pushed this incident from her mind, too, against her better judgment. She texted him back like nothing was wrong. It was the right choice, she thought.
     

Chapter 4
     
    The month passed by without much happening. Darren was the perfect boyfriend, attentive, caring and romantic. Though Anastasia noticed odd irregularities sometimes, like an official-looking police badge in Darren’s apartment, which he swore was a prop for Halloween, and sometimes he disappeared off to who-knows-where. But he always came back with a small present or flowers for her.
     
    It was nice, and they were still in the cute honeymoon stage. Erica had even met Darren and approved of him. To her, he seemed like a nice boy, with an interesting job. And a gorgeous body. Erica had even begun to praise the bakery immensely, which made Anastasia very happy. Ariana and Peter’s wedding was set for the next month, and Ariana’s tensions were running high as she prepared for the big day.
     
    Anastasia headed to work, a big smile on her face. The bakery had been doing well, and many patrons had said that ever since the kind elderly man in the bakery across the street had retired, his son had taken over all the operations. There were somewhat terrifying-looking men in the bakery at all hours now, and it was highly suspicious. Therefore they preferred her bakery. Anastasia worried about Darren, but she could tell that he could take care of himself.
     
    A good thing was that Anastasia found herself actually making a large amount of profit from the bakery. It was beginning to become more and more of a valid career option, and Anastasia was really excited about seeing it go places. She had already had Peter help set up a website for Ana’s Sweets, and after that her customer group grew even more. Her relationship with Darren was going fine.
     
    Anastasia smiled and hummed a light song as she whizzed around the shop, working. She had wanted to hire an assistant, one that could help her keep up with her many customers’ demands, but she couldn’t. Ariana had already told Anastasia that once the wedding was over, she was quitting her job as a legal assistant. It was starting to get dull for her, and Peter made so much that he was able to support the both of them easily.
     
    Ariana had agreed to help Anastasia out, in exchange for a share of the profits. Ariana had put a lot of hopes into the bakery, and funded some of the extra renovations and materials needed. Anastasia felt truly lucky to have such an amazing friend. But unfortunately, as the wedding was still a week away, Anastasia had to carry the weight of helping the customers and making sure they were all happy by herself.
     
    She was still in a good mood from the bachelorette party she had thrown for Ariana. It certainly was a party to remember. Anastasia had picked out one of the best restaurants and rented out a private room. Then she had gone a little on the wild side, renting a bar, with a