Born to Make You Smile

FIFTEEN

“Will and I broke up.” Dorina let out a long sigh on the other end of the phone line. “Well, I broke up with him. It wasn’t working out, and I hated how he always took Ethan’s side.”

A rancid taste filled my mouth. “I’m sorry. That sucks.”

Seemed like everyone was breaking up lately. Love was not in the air this fall.

“Like, I get they’re best friends, but Will could’ve at least admitted Ethan was an ass to you. He kept claiming you led him on, and honestly, I did not want to hear any more of that bullshit.”

“I feel so bad.” I sighed. “I didn’t mean for my issues with Ethan to come between you two.”

She scoffed. “Why do you feel bad? He wasn’t the right guy for me anyway. Besides, you’re way more important to me than some guy. I will always choose you, pollita .”

While I was touched by her unbridled devotion, it made my chest drop. Dorina gave up a relationship and stuck up for me. In return, I was lying and hiding my secret life from her. Telling her about my night job was on the tip of my tongue, but I still couldn’t get the words out. I knew she’d be so disappointed.

“Do you want me to come by?” I asked, getting up from my bed.

“No, that’s okay. I’m fine. I have to work anyway. What about tomorrow night?”

Shit. Tomorrow, I worked at X-PLORE. Guilt churned in my gut like a bad cachito. “You know what, I can’t tomorrow. But I’ll definitely see you on Sunday for your birthday.”

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I have to work until two, but then I’m free.”

“I’m bringing a surprise,” I said in singsong.

She squealed. “I hope it’s what I think it is! No pressure. I know it’s so much work. But I’m worth it, right?”

I chuckled. “You’re definitely worth it, Princess Dorina.”

***

At the end of the workweek, Gavin and I swung by the cleaners to pick up his clothing as we typically did on Fridays. After he laid the bagged clothing in his car, I glanced over at the market next to the cleaners. I wanted to make Dorina’s favorite cake for her birthday, but I was missing some key ingredients.

“Is it all right if I quickly step into the market? I need a few things for a cake. I’ll be super quick. You can wait for me in the car...”

“Not a problem. I’ll come with you. I might get a few things myself. Maybe I’ll attempt a nice dinner tonight—beef Wellington.”

I rolled my eyes with a snort. “Gavin. That’s quite the undertaking for...”

He raised his brows, urging me to continue.

“For someone who can barely boil an egg.” I chuckled.

“I can make scrambled eggs and beans, and I can grill meats!” he proclaimed proudly, his hands on his hips.

“Well, I’d stick to that, Master Chef.”

He gently nudged me with his elbow, and I nudged him right back while we both laughed. We were shamelessly flirting like a couple of teenagers.

“Hello, you two!” shouted Darlene, waving to us from behind the checkout counter.

Gavin and I both said hello to the warm familiar face. Darlene had wild brown hair and a crooked smile that could light up all the hearts in the city. She’d worked at the Woodland Market for as long as I could remember.

“So you’re making a cake?” Gavin asked while I grabbed a small cart. “For me?”

I rolled my eyes with a smirk. “For Dorina. It’s her birthday on Sunday. I’m making her tres leches.”

“Sounds delicious. Even though I have no idea what that is.”

“It’s a sponge cake soaked in milk. Three milks. So that’s what I need to pick up; otherwise, the cake is just sponge cake.”

“Which is also very good. Especially if you’re the one making it.”

I blushed and pushed the cart down the aisles. It was so strange to do such a domestic task together. We were being silly and playful. At one point, he deliberately stood in my way, and I had to gently boop him with the cart.

“What do you need? Asparagus ?” I teased.

He shook his head. “Very funny.”

If there was one food Gavin truly hated, it was asparagus.

“Putrid stem of a vegetable.”

I snorted.

Gavin put a few things in the cart—some bananas, milk, and a tub of peanut butter. As I went to put a can of condensed milk in the cart, I noticed a jar of pink pickled turnips nestled together with my things.

“These turnips better be for you ,” I said, holding up the jar to his face with my nose turned up.

“Whatever makes you think I put those in there? It must have been your subconscious urge to want to love them.” He raised his brows several times.

He probably did that on purpose, knowing my distaste for turnips. He’d grown them in his backyard one year. As far as I was concerned, they were a waste of precious garden space, and I had told him so.

Shaking my head at him, I put the turnips back on a random shelf. At one point, his arm brushed mine, and my body tensed, but I tried to ignore the sudden infusion of warmth and put my focus on what else I needed.

It was a small market—only a couple of aisles—and before we knew it, we were at the checkout counter. I started with my items, keeping Gavin’s separate.

“Grace, you are growing up too fast for my liking. You make me feel ancient!” said Darlene, scanning my items. “Are you guys together?”

“No, no,” I said swiftly, then understood her comment was in reference to the groceries. “Separate, please.”

However, when I went to swipe my credit card, it was declined.

“I’m sorry, hun. Try it again. Sometimes these machines act up.”

Shit. This could not be happening to me right now.

My throat thickened, and I could feel my face flush the brightest shade of red.

“Um, it’s okay. I think I have some cash.” I opened my wallet to search for bills, coins, anything. I found a few quarters and a five-dollar bill. Not nearly enough.

“Don’t worry, Darlene. Put it all together on my card.” Gavin glanced my way, leaning down. “It’s on me, love.”

“It’s fine. I can handle it,” I protested, frantically searching through the rest of my purse.

“Grace,” he said sternly, “I insist.”

My shoulders fell with defeat, knowing I had to give in.

I was so embarrassed and thought for sure he’d ask me about my card being declined, but he didn’t utter a word.

“I’ll pay you back when we get home. I thought I had more cash with me,” I said as we loaded the groceries into the trunk of his car, carefully placing the dry-cleaning on top. Such an impractical car for such a methodical and rational man. Albeit a very sexy car.

“Please,” he said, sounding as if I didn’t have a choice. “Enough of that. Surely I can buy my assistant some groceries. Especially after everything you do for me.”

I wasn’t about to argue, so I thanked him and accepted his kind gesture.

On the less than two-minute drive back, we moved our bodies and sang to “You Should Be Dancing.” The upbeat Bee Gees tune was one of our favorites. Gavin cranked it up so loud I’m sure the people around us could hear it as well.

When we pulled into my driveway, Gavin even loosened his tie and undid his top two buttons. He started to dance in the seat. Despite some goofy moves, he still managed to look extremely sexy. I told him he was the Walmart version of Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Instead of Tony, he was “Gony.” That set him off into a laughing fit, which of course set me off as well. I almost couldn’t breathe I was howling so hard. We were having so much fun, I really didn’t want to leave the car and go home. Be alone. A strange warmth bloomed in my chest. It made me slightly uncomfortable and unsure.

“I’d better go,” I said, putting a stray curl behind my ear.

“Oh, oh!” he yelped, pushing the trunk open button. “Don’t forget your groceries, love. You’ve got a very important cake to bake.”