I smile and ask, “Hey, what are you doing here?” I check my watch; its 11 am. Still got some time before my meeting.
“I was just in the neighborhood!” She looks a bit sheepish as she continues, “Well, I know you said you’ve got an important meeting so I brought something to sweeten the deal for them. ”
My eyes widen. I ask, “Oh, yeah? What have you got there?”
She walks over to my desk and opens the container. There are twelve of the most delicious looking chocolate cupcakes I’ve ever seen. Half have chocolate frosting, half have a light brown colored frosting. The smell hits me.
Pow! Right in the kisser!
I can smell peanut butter. I’m salivating. I tell her, “These look so great”
Multiple footsteps approach the office. Max and Ghost appear. It’s like they can smell food from down the street.
Max smirks, “Hey Tina, what’s shakin’ baby?” Ah, Max, what a knucklehead.
Ghost lifts his chin to Tina.
Her skin flushes as she explains, “Well, I made some cupcakes for the sponsor meeting thing. I know it’s important and these babies can be really persuasive. ” She turns to Ghost and says, “I don’t want to toot my own horn but these cupcakes,” her eyes narrow and she looks left then right like she’s trading inside information, she finishes on a whisper, “are the bomb. ”
Her phone buzzes and ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore blasts from the small device. She straightens and yelps, “Oh crud, I have to go!” She turns to me and says, “Listen, I know you said you can’t do lunch today but you still have to eat so I’ll pick something up and bring it to you. ”
Is this girl for real?
“Ah…” I’m stunned speechless.
She lifts her brows and asks, “So what time does your meeting finish?”
I reply, “Around one. ” Still stunned, still speechless.
She smiles big and says, “Great. I’ll bring you a turkey sub. ”
I was going to get a turkey sub for lunch today. This is too weird.
Tina turns to Max and Ghost and asks, “You guys want subs for lunch?”
Max’s shocked face turns soft. He says quietly, “Naw, hon, that’s cool,” Ghost shakes his head. Max smiles as he continues, “But I want one of those cupcakes. ”
Tina smiles back at him and tells him, “Have at it! But leave some for the sponsor. ” She spins to face me and says, “Seriously, though, persuade the sponsors to try them. ”
I’m still in shock so I just nod.
Just as she walks to the door Ghost picks up a cupcake with light brown icing. Tina turns, gasps, and runs back toward us. Like a Tennis player on crack, she slaps the cupcake out of Ghosts hand, hard.
Splat!
It lands on the wall and surprisingly doesn’t fall; it stays where it is like a wall decoration.
Her chest heaving from exertion as she yells, “Holy Cannoli!” She looks at Ghost and says, “I forgot to warn you not to eat those if you’re allergic to peanuts!”
Ghost grabs another chocolate peanut butter cupcake, tears the wrapper away and shoves the whole thing in his mouth. His eyes close in bliss. He slows his chewing and his head falls back. Shaking his head slightly he looks at Tina and mutters, “Not bad. I like crunchy PB, though. ”
Ah, Ghost. Ever the ass.
Max unwraps a chocolate frosted cupcake, takes a bite and moans. Taking three steps toward her, Max wraps his arms around her shoulders and picks Tina up, he holds her there for a few seconds before he lets her back on her feet. Then he speaks with a full mouth so his words are garbled, “Oh my gawd, Teen, this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. ”
Tina looks up at Max with her huge smile on show. She blushes and says quietly, “Well, thanks guys. Don’t forget to save some for the sponsor. ” She looks back at me and says, “I’ll bring you lunch at one. ”
She goes to shut the office door behind her, as the latch clicks the cupcake on the wall lands on the floor with a plop.