“I’ve got a lot to do.”

He wasn’t convinced there wasn’t some way they could work this out. “What’s the biggest thing on your plate right now?”

“I promised to do the groom’s cake for Rusty. The cake is my gift to him. I can’t very well hand it off to someone else to do.”

“Rusty Addams?”

“Yes. He’s marrying a real nice girl from Georgia. They’re getting married down at the river at his parents’ place this week. An evening wedding.”

“Let me help you. It’ll be like old times.”

A melancholy frown flitted across her face. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s have some fun.” He stepped closer to her. “We were young. I didn’t handle the situation very well. I said I was sorry. Look at you now. I practically did you a favor. You’ve blown your goals right out of the water.”

“A favor?” She glared at him. “You always had a way of twisting things around. I worked hard for this.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I can see that you worked hard, and it’s truly impressive. Can we please call a truce?” He crouched down to get eye-to-eye with her. “Please?”

She turned her head.

He dipped to the side, not letting her get out of his view. “Come on. Let me help you with the groom’s cake. What are you going to make?”

“I’m not even sure yet.”

“I’ll do the grunt work. Wash pans. Whatever. Pay for my mistakes.” He clapped his hands together. “Even more reason to let me help.”

“Why?” Theirs eyes held.

“Why not? I know him. It could be fun. Come on. I’ve already caught up with Mom and Dawn, and you know there’s no other nightlife in this town. Throw this old friend a favor.”

“I guess Bailey’s Fork isn’t busy enough for a guy who hangs out with the rich and famous in Paris.”

“It’s not like that. The only thing I do with the rich and famous is cook for them. I work. A lot. Like, all the time.”

“I know how that is. I can bet you wouldn’t want it any other way either, though.”

“You’re right. From the looks of things with you here in your bakery in the middle of the night, you’re the same way.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“It’s our passion. So let’s cook together.” He moved through the kitchen. “This is nice. Top of the line.” He flipped through a book of laminated recipes. “How about you make a red velvet cake? You always made the best red velvet around.”

She threw her hand into the air like a traffic cop. “Whoa. Hold on right there. If you’re going to help, you have to stay within the few guidelines I have from the customer.”