Rockstar Baby (Crescent Cove 6)

I waved her off. “No. I’m good.”

“Good. I saw you at Vee’s baby club meeting. Figured you got the job done like every other freaking woman in this town.”

I laughed. “No. I was just curious about it all. I’ve got plenty of time to do the kid thing after I get my business started.”

“That’s my motto.”

“You want kids?” My mouth dropped open.

“God, no. I just mean my business is the focus.”

“Right.” I discreetly tugged at my waistband of my pants. I’d had to do the hair tie and button trick today to keep them closed. Way too much ice cream tasting lately. “And that’s why I’m really grateful you’re willing to give my product a shot.”

“We’ll see.”

I unzipped the tote and pulled out the long, thin metal bins I’d packed up with colorful lids. They were just wide enough to make a scoop. Technically, they were designed for my gelato flavors, but they seemed perfect for today’s taste test. “I’m still working on the names of the flavors, but the actual product is going to be on a rotating schedule to keep interest up.”

“Flavors of the week?”

“Yes. I’ll have a few base flavors and change out half a dozen to a dozen others based on how the truck does.”

“That’s a lot of changing up.”

I pulled a small cup out of the outside flap. “I’m going to use a chalkboard on the outside of my truck to keep costs down and stick with that homemade, small town feel.”

“They do appreciate that around here.”

“Exactly.” I took out my small scoop and dragged it down the vanilla. “Do you have some coffee I could try this in?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Funny.”

My lips twitched.

She wound her way through the empty tables and disappeared behind the counter. While she was getting the coffee, I scooped out four toddler-sized servings. My Toffee Coffee, Strawberry Dream, Dark Night of the Soul Chocolate, and signature mint.

My gaze drifted to the Peppermint Patty. I’d debated bringing it at all, but it really had turned out to be one of my best flavors. Even if its inspiration was less than worthy.

Macy came back with two large mugs of coffee and a creamer peeking from her apron. She set them down and I scooped the vanilla into each.

I could get it down one more time.

Hopefully.

Macy gave it a dubious look, but shrugged and picked up her mug. She took a careful sip, her face inscrutable. She put down her mug, still tight-lipped as she moved on to one of my tasting cups. She tried the strawberry, then the dark chocolate, and finally, the mint. Her gaze flew to mine at the mint, but she still didn’t say a damn word.

Finally, she tried my Coffee Toffee. Her eyes narrowed, then one eyebrow winged up. “Did you use Brewed Awakening coffee to make this?”

“I sure did. Figured I couldn’t use just any coffee.”

People were walking by and craning their necks to see what we were doing. The growly and narrow-eyed gaze from Macy stopped people from pausing for too long. Or asking a question.

She was kind of my hero. I knew I was far too nice when it came to customer service. But I just couldn’t be any other way. Probably my waitress training.

I gnawed my lower lip as she folded her arms and tapped one long finger against her forearm. Her nails were super short and painted black with some sort of red fleck to them. It suited her personality down to the ground—and hid coffee stains. Pretty much why my nails were painted a bright pink. The raspberry sorbet stained the shit out of my hands.

Macy cleared her throat. “These are really impressive.”

“I have a gelato, a sorbet, and a yogurt as well.”