Sugar Rush

By Leigh Ellwood

Baker Neve Rush is surprised to receive social media attention, both good and negative, after agreeing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple. She cares about people’s tastes in pastries, not sexual partners. The newfound fame has gained her new customers—as well as one resurfaced ex. Gianna stirs up memories Neve would rather forget, and an impromptu flirtation with a client might just do the trick.

Judy Goldsmith finds Neve’s open-mindedness refreshing and attractive, and isn’t above a little scheming to get to know her better. As Neve and Judy satisfy each other’s sweet tooth in the most pleasurable ways possible, feelings blossom. But their deepening attraction may not survive a little white lie...and an even bigger, darker secret.

Sugar Rush was originally published by Ellora's Cave. It is now part of the Coming Together catalog. Proceeds benefit MoveOn.org

Original cover by Erin Dameron Hill. Kelli Collins, editor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Coming Together
• Release date: Jan 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370355938

Leigh Ellwood

DLP Books publishes mystery and romance. Visit us online today at http://www.dlpbooks.com for our current catalog.

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Sugar Rush

Copyright © 2017 Leigh Ellwood

All digital rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Coming Together Production

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Special thanks to Kelli Collins

for assisting me with this story.

I am forever grateful.

I dedicate this edition of Sugar Rush

to all the authors who continue to create,

even when it seems the world wants to push back.

Chapter One

Neve, I think you want to get out front, quick.

Neve Rush finished drying off a large jellyroll pan, which she placed on its rack with the others. Standing in the far corner of her bakery kitchen, she leaned back to see past her assistant Terri through the open doorway that led to the sales floor. She spied only a sliver of the checkerboard floor and a bright yellow table, so any activity Terri noticed had to be happening out of sight, near the register.

The closer she moved toward the front of the store, the clearer she heard somebody sobbing softly in her bakery. Oh my goodness, she muttered, not necessarily to Terri. What's going on out there?

It just started, Terri hissed as she passed. I think Corky did it.

Neve groaned. Terri hadn't approved of her hiring Corky, citing the young woman's flighty attitude and inexperience, but Neve doubted the girl would willingly reduce a person to tears with a cruel remark. I'll have a look, she said, unconvinced of Corky's guilt.

Neve slipped behind the sales counter to find Corky by the register, wringing her hands and looking worriedly at their customers—two older women, each sporting short hair of varying gray and silver hues, both dressed for the frigid December morning. The shorter of the duo leaned into her companion, eyes tightly shut and heaving with audible sobs.

Something I can do here? Neve asked the other one, who offered a smile when they made eye contact. Neve didn't want to accuse anybody of anything just yet. Corky looked ready to burst into tears herself.

The taller of the pair, the one cradling the sniffling woman, held up a hand to dismiss Neve's concerns. It's okay, we're fine, she said. Maggie just got a bit overwhelmed, is all. It's been a hell of a week for both of us.

Has it? I hope it's nothing serious, Neve replied, and patted Corky on the shoulder in an attempt to soothe the girl's apprehension. She didn't know why the women had come into the shop, and from the look of the one crying, her first thought drifted to a death or illness. Sometimes people came to Sugar Rush to buy baked goods for wakes.

But the crying woman took a deep breath then beamed at her with shining eyes. Perhaps somebody hadn't passed away.

We were up all night, celebrating, the taller woman explained. As soon as it was announced that the ban was lifted, we started making plans. The woman twined her fingers with Maggie's and kissed her knuckles.

Of course! Neve saw it on the late news, too. The state had declared the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Congratulations, she told the couple, and nudged Corky for a smile. You must be so excited!

Yes, it's finally going to happen. The woman holding Maggie turned her hand to reveal a shining solitaire diamond. We came in to inquire about ordering a cake for the wedding, and I think the realization just caught up with her.

Maggie finally stood tall on her own, wiping away tears. I'm sorry, I'm a giddy old fool, she said, her voice cracking. "Helen said 'wedding cake', and it dawned on me that I'm getting married! Finally! Can you believe it?"

Tears dried, replaced by Maggie's radiant smile, which warmed Neve's heart. She had cheered in her home when the announcement was made official, but the financial implications weren't clear then. Neve's bakery, Sugar Rush, had a fair number of gay and lesbian customers, to be certain, but these two ladies were the first to inquire about an actual wedding cake—Neve envisioned preparing multiple tiers, icing roses and two brides on top. This called for something special.

Ladies, you're in luck. I happen to bake some damn good wedding cakes. She gestured to the yellow table. Step into my office.

As Maggie and Helen made themselves comfortable, Corky leaned close to her ear. Neve, I swear, I didn't say anything to upset them! They asked about a wedding cake, and I said sure and asked what they had in mind. That's all.

That's all they needed to hear, Corky. You're fine, Neve said, smiling at the young girl to assure her. Go see if they'll take coffee. I need to get out the books.

Corky nodded and saw to their customers' needs while Neve ducked back into the kitchen for the photo albums of their best cake work. Terri had obviously been listening to the exchange—she turned rapidly back to the cookie dough she was scooping onto a large, greased sheet.

Everything okay? Terri tried to sound nonchalant and Neve couldn't help but laugh at her friend's nosy nature.

Neve opened a high cabinet and pulled out two albums. Right as rain, Lady of Spain, she said. The impromptu rhymes with which she often addressed people never failed to encourage smiles. I have a feeling business is going to pick up soon.

Terri turned from the cookies and crooked her head toward the couple at the table. For the better.

Definitely.

* * *

After half an hour of sampling cupcakes as samples of available flavors, and oohing and aahing over the more popular designs, Maggie and Helen finally agreed on a four-tier red velvet tower with white fondant, dark-red flowers and red trim. Both women left smiling and toting small boxes of treats for an after-dinner celebration.

Now we're off to get our something borrowed and something blue, Maggie said as the Sugar Rush crew waved goodbye.

Neve quietly cleared away the plates and mugs, looking up when Corky lingered expectantly by the dessert case. What's up, buttercup? she asked.

Corky held up her smartphone. While you were in the back, I took a picture of those ladies. I thought it would be cool to, like, put it on our Facebook page since they're the first same-sex couple to come in for a wedding cake. They said it was okay, she quickly added.

Oh. Well, if they don't mind, I don't. Neve shrugged and left Corky to handle it. Neve couldn't tweet or e-mail pictures from her phone to save her life, so she left all manner of internet and social media dealings related to business to