“Hmm.” I felt my stomach rumbling. “That means more people bidding on you girls?” And your kisses, I thought to myself.
“Yeah, but it also means more business for the cupcake store, too.” She grinned suddenly, her eyes wide. “I can’t believe it. Why would he do this?”
“No idea,” I said. Of course, that was a lie. I was pretty sure that I knew exactly why Old Man Campbell had sponsored the auction, and that reason was none other than that wannabe surfer, Nick. I knew that I was going to have to pay him a visit, but unlike in high school, this time I wasn’t going to be so nice about it.
Chapter 12
Betsy
Ten thousand dollars.
Ten thousand frigging dollars. That’s how much money I had lost in the last six months. I knew Nanna was just as shocked as I was. I’d known I was losing money each month, but I hadn’t realized it amounted to ten grand. I had no idea what I was going to do. The stress of the situation erased even my night with Jeff from my brain.
All right, that’s a bit of a lie. Nothing could ever erase the passion of last night from my mind. I could still feel his tongue on me. In fact, I grew wet just thinking about him. Unfortunately, I knew that nothing was going to come from that situation, and I had bigger things to worry about right now.
“Betsy, get that frown off of your pretty little face.” Nanna smiled at me. “It’ll be okay, you’ll see.”
“Nanna, I feel so bad about you losing your money.”
“My dear child, we haven’t lost anything yet. Don’t despair. Everyone loves your cupcakes.”
“Apparently, everyone isn’t enough to keep us in business, though.” I sniffled, and she gave me a stern look.
“My darling, I think it’s time that I imparted a little knowledge.” Nanna took her glasses off and peered into my eyes. I wondered if she was getting ready to tell me the secrets of life that I didn’t yet know. Or maybe she was going to tell me that she’d always known I was going to fail but had wanted to support me anyway. That was Nanna’s way. She was always so sweet and kind.
“Hit me with it,” I said, and she frowned.
“Hit me with it?”
“I’ve been spending too much time with Nolan and Jeff.” Of course, I couldn’t tell her what sort of fun I’d been spending with Jeff.
“Oh, I see.” She nodded. “I’m so glad that Jeff and Nolan have remained friends all of these years. They are good for each other.”
“Yeah, they’re like two peas in the same pod.” I rolled my eyes. “I thought they’d both be bachelors forever, but it looks like it will just be Jeff now that Nolan and Jules have found love.”
“Jules and Nolan were made for each other.” She smiled contentedly. “I’ve always known it. Now we just need to find you a man who will love and support you.”
“Is that the knowledge you wanted to impart, Nanna? You want to help me find Mr. Right?”
“Oh, no.” She laughed. “I think Mr. Right will be a knocking soon enough.” She gave me a wink, and I wondered why she had that self-satisfied look on her face.
“So then what?”
“A wise man once said that businesses are like banks. You don’t give anything away for free unless it nets you a long-time customer.”
“What wise man said that?” I asked.
“Confucius.” She grinned, and I laughed.
“Uh-huh, point taken, Nanna. I’ll stop giving away so many cupcakes.”
“It’s very sweet and generous of you, dear, but this is a business, after all. And though I’m sure all of your friends, all of the elderly, all of the police force, all the school kids, and many others are grateful, it is time to start charging them. I was speaking to Nolan, and he suggested that maybe you have a customer rewards card. Buy ten, get one free or something similar. You can figure out the details, but frankly, it sounds like a wonderful idea to me.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “That’s a good idea. I wonder why Nolan never mentioned it to me.”
“I think he was going to bring it up to you, but he got sidetracked.”
“Sidetracked?”
“He was asking me if he could have my engagement ring. The one my mother passed down to me.”
“No frigging way!” My jaw dropped and my eyes bulged at her happy smile. Of course, I’d known that Nolan would eventually propose, but I had no idea that it was going to be this soon. My best friend was going to be getting married, and here I was still single, crushing on a guy who had no interest in me, other than messing around.
“Isn’t it exciting? Of course, I said yes. Jules is so wonderful. Imagine your best friend becoming your sister.”
“Yeah.” I smiled a little sadly. “That’s really cool.”
“Don’t be upset, my dear. I have plenty of jewelry for you as well.”
“Oh, I don’t mind about that,” I assured her. “You’re already too generous with me, Nanna.”
“Then what’s the problem?” She took her hand in mine. “Are you sad you’re losing your best friend to love?” She gazed into my eyes thoughtfully. “Now you know, I’m just an old lady, but I do think that the love of your life is just around the corner as well.”
“You think so?”
At that moment, the door to the store opened. We both looked over and there stood Nick Campbell, a huge grin on his face as he made his way to the counter.
“Betsy Montgomery, how are you this morning?” he said. “Morning, ma’am.” He smiled and nodded at Nanna.
“Good, thanks. How are you?” I blushed under his intense gaze. It felt strange to me that he was
