Please, my edge is permanent, Zane said dismissively. It was carefully and strategically honed in the deceptively picturesque town of Little Creek, Colorado. A place where everybody knows everybody else and minding the neighbors business is a way of life.
Sounds nice.
Sounds boring as hell, Zane acknowledged. Which is why we started issuing challenges. Dares, if you will. For the craziest crap. Who could jump farthest off the high school gym roof? Who could eat the most little green apples before competing in the track meet? Who looked best in a dress and heels?
Beg pardon? Lansky interrupted, with a raised eyebrow.
Halloween, junior year of high school, Zane explained before continuing his recital of various dares and challenges. And every trip home, it continues.
Is that the cause for all those goods? You want to avoid the dares-slash-challenges? Lansky gave him a pitying head shake. Way to represent the team, Bennett.
Once youve rappelled out of a helicopter into the Atlantic during a storm while a gang of Somali pirates are shooting at you, being challenged to chug-a-lug a dozen Big Gulp slushies just isnt the same.
Although the brain-freeze threat was a hazard that couldnt be dismissed.
So dont play.
Yeah, right. Zane laughed. Like you said, were hardwired to compete. I cant walk away from a challenge. Ever.
You might want to work on that.
Might.
But probably not on this trip. This trip would come with plenty of challenges. He was heading back for a high school reunion and the gang would be all there. But after ten years, most of the guys hed gone to school with were settled down. Living the nine-to-five life with wives and, in some cases, kids even.
Talk about challenges. How the hell did they do that? It was the complete opposite of his motto: No Ties, No Lies.
You ever worry that we live so far over the edge that we arent suited to, you know, regular life?
You said it yourself. Were not meant for regular life, Bennett. But like picking and choosing our challenges, we have to learn to decompress from time to time or well burn out. Lanskys voice tightened, his eyes locked on the churning waves as if searching for some answer only the ocean could offer. You know as well as I do that the body needs time between workouts for the muscle fibers to mend. If you want to stay sharp and last the duration, you take advantage of those valleys between each peak.
Peaks and valleys, huh?
Yep. With that and another slap to the back, Lansky got to his feet. You can always try my tried-and-true method of resting.
Chasing women?
Works every time, Lansky shot back with a laugh before sauntering across the sand to join the other men.
Zane stayed where he was. After all, he wasnt on duty. He was heading for that valley called home.
Hed just have to find something interesting to keep his senses alert, his skills challenged and his body honed.
Maybe Lansky had it right.
Maybe hed have to find himself a woman.
2
WOW. NOW, THATS a penis.
Humming as she gave said penis a careful inspection, Vivian Harris finally straightened and offered a satisfied smile.
It does look good, doesnt it? Noting it was a smidge uneven, she sprinkled a hint more glitter on the right side to bring out the curve. I think it might be my best work yet.
Absolutely, amazingly edible, Minna Karter said, her brown eyes as round as her glasses. When she wet her lips, looking as if she wanted to kneel down and give it a good lick, Vivian quickly grabbed a hot pink lid and fitted it in place.
Your favorite triple-chocolate fudge cake layered with Bavarian cream and covered in modeling chocolate. Vivian put a snappy black bow on the box, adding the darling bakery sticker shed printed on her inkjet claiming the confection was made with love at The Sweet Spot. Guaranteed to keep your bridal shower guests happy.
Theyre going to love it, Viv. I am blown away at how great this looks. Ill bet nobodys ever seen one this gorgeous.
A cake, or a penis?
Tough choice, Minna said, laughing, but I meant the cake. Youre really rocking this new sideline of yours. I mean, Id have ordered a cake from Little Creek Bakery no matter what, since its your familys. But...
But they only make regular, boring, roundor if theyre really wild, squarecakes here, Vivian agreed with a nod. Ive been asking them for years to branch out, to widen the offerings, but noooo.
She rolled her eyes at her familys narrow-minded refusal.
Which would be why Im picking this up after-hours when nobody else is around?
It wouldnt have been a big deal. At Minnas pointed stare, Vivian admitted, My parents are out of town for the week so Im in charge of the bakery. I was able to bake and decorate it here instead of at home.
Youd think theyd be a little more open to expanding their offerings.
Not everyone likes the idea of their only daughter molding phallic symbols out of cake.
You do more than that, Minna objected. You made that pair of songbirds for Lanas birthday, you did the mermaid for Josies daughter, and you even did that Harley for your brothers birthday. Never mind all the other cakes and confections youre selling off your website.
Minna shook a chastising finger before Vivian could shrug that offand since by her calculations, she wasnt yet earning half what shed need to support herself, it really was shrugworthy.
Youre living the dream, remember, Minna reminded her in fervent tones.
Vivian had discovered a series of books called Living the Dream! written by Lola Bean. They focused on arranging wishes, hopes and goals into definable dreams and had inspired her like crazy. Shed read all of the books, then worked through the quizzes, study guides and questionnaires, narrowing down random ideas and what ifs into actual life goals built on a dream that touched her heart.
Vivian considered herself an artist. One who honored sexuality and the human form. But she couldnt draw or paint, and try as she might, she couldnt write a decent story. So, through Lolas first course, Finding the Dream that Makes You Sing, shed combined her two talents, sensual art and baking, and created The Sweet Spot.
As Lola so often said, with the power of that much emotion behind her dreams, how could she fail to build her dream life? And she was right. Itd given Vivian focus for the first time in twenty-four years. A sense of empowerment and excitement over building her dream career.
What it hadnt done was actually give her that career.
Yet.
Vivian wasnt giving up, though.
After reading through the entire booklist, joining Lolas newsletter and finding her on social media, Vivian had been thrilled when the woman had opened group coaching. Shed convinced Minna, their friend Lisa and Lisas sister, Corinne, to do the coaching with her and, wow, talk about results.
Thanks to Lolas advice, after six years of dating, Minna was finally marrying the man of her dreams. Lisa had gone back to school to get her degree and Corinnewell, Corinnes dreams kept changing. She wasnt quite the dream success story, which was fine with Vivian since it made her own mediocre success look better.
Dont look so bummed, Minna chided, obviously reading her expression. Youre great at what you do.
As if to prove it, Minna whipped off the lid and showed off the penis again, complete with a sweep of one hand.
It does look good, doesnt it, she murmured. But Im still not quite living the dream.
Vivians goal was to be the go-to gal for sexy cakes and candies. She specialized in clever, sculpted, suggestive treats of all sorts. It didnt have to be overt, like the sparkling penis. She loved getting that hint of sex across black lace formed from royal icing or leather from modeling chocolate. Shed created everything from an orgy of cupcakes to a madams cakea four-layer devils food cake covered in black leather with red lace and sugar whips.
And while she was doing okay, she hadnt quite found the key to success yet. She was pretty confident of her skills, and was sure her prices were right. And shed built a great online store. It was just a matter of getting people to check it out and buy.
Did you hear anything from that program youd applied to?
The program was an internship with one of the most respected dessert culinary programs in the country. If accepted, shed be spending a year studying under Geoffrey of Decadence Desserts. Learning the ins and outs, not only of perfecting her dessert-making skills, but also business and marketing knowledge thatd help her build The Sweet Spot into the name in sensual treats.
The problem was, the internship took place in California. So it not only included moving away from her hometown, but leaving her comfy job working for the family bakery. Sure, she hated the tedious repetition of making the same desserts over and over. And she was so over her familys disdain for her creative choices of sensual cake decor. But it was home and it was a job and, well, it was safe.
Shed been excited when shed applied. All hopped up on one of Lolas inspirational lessons on chasing the dream. But now? California meant giving up her comfort for a low-paying job living in a dorm with a bunch of strangers. Vivian just wasnt sure it was worth it.
No word yet, was all she said, though.
Youll get there, Minna assured her quietly as she covered the cake again. You know Lola says youre holding yourself back. Youre not fully committing.
Vivian had to clench her teeth to keep from arguing. Not because she disagreed. But shed argued this point so many times that she simply couldnt stand to hear that she had to give up her safety net again.
Ill get there, was all she finally said.
Looking relieved at the response, Minna said, I know you will, then changed the subject.
After assuring her that shed come up with something fun for shower favors, Vivian waved her friend out of the bakery. As soon as Minna was gone, she grabbed her iPad and opened up her website.
Maybe she needed to do more advertising? Vivian slid through the samples, her smile growing as she looked at each one. Granted, there were more sketches than actual photos. Mostly because she hadnt scored a lot of orders yet and she couldnt justify making a slew of baked goods just to take photos. But picture or sketch, they all looked great.
If she did say so herself.
The infamous penis cake, perfectly proportionedto an eight-foot-tall man, grantedwith a glistening flesh-colored modeling-chocolate covering and any variety of fillings.
Bikini cupcakes, each breast covered in sassy polka dots with just a hint of cherry-gel nipples peeking through the lace.
Three-dimensional bodiesboth male, female and a few with bothmade not from Rice Krispies Treats like some bakers used, but delicious cake through and through.
She should be a huge success.
The only problem was that she worked at her parents bakery and they werent a fan of her dreams. Which wouldnt be a big deal except this was their store, as theyd snippily pointed out just last week. And apparently paying for the ingredients she used didnt make up for using their space with her crazy ideas and wicked creations.
Vivian sniffed her disdain, but since she hadnt found any way around that particular issue yet, she had to admit it did play into Lola questioning the seriousness of her commitment. According to her, Vivian should walk away from the family business and focus on her own. Dreams required risk, chapter twelve. Safety nets only slowed progress.
Shouldnt you be working?
Breath knotted in her chest, Vivian spun around, almost falling on her butt thanks to her four-inch heels and slim pencil skirt.
Mike, she said, one hand pressed against her chest to keep her heart from leaping out. Whatre you doing here?
Having obviously used his key to the back door, her brother stood in the pass-through between the storefront and the kitchen, frowning. Older by three years and their parents perfect child, Mike strode behind the counter to look over her shoulder.
Why are you messing around with that stuff again? More of your dirty cakes and crazy ideas? Cmon, Viv, give it up and focus on the work youre paid for, he nagged in that big-brotherly tone that made his disdain for any other work she did clear.
Fingering the fifty in the pocket of her ruffled apron, Vivian debated waving it under his nose. But she knew it was pointless. Like their parents, Mike considered Vivians side job to be a silly little hobby, something they hoped shed give up soon. Preferably before too many people learned of it and made the connection between Little Creek Bakery and its three generations of boring baked goods and The Sweet Spot, with its naughty selection of edible treats.
Shouldnt you be dressed like an uptight banker? she asked, giving his casual jeans and button-down shirt a smirk.
Shouldnt you be dressed more, I dont know, like someone who works in a bakery instead of a forties movie star?
You think Im pretty enough to be a movie star? Vivian teased, adding a sassy smile to her hair toss because she knew itd bug him. The only thing more irritating than her brothers criticism of her side business was his critique of her vintage style.
I think youre too much a handful as it is for me to answer a question like that. As he spoke, Mike went through the bakery case, filling a standard pink cardboard box with a selection of choice cookies, brownies and muffins.
What are you doing here? Im pretty sure our parents left me in charge of the bakery while theyre on yet another vacation. Vivian glanced at the clock to make sure she hadnt lost time somewhere. And since I am, shouldnt you be bossing your tellers around at the bank instead of bugging me?
Shouldnt you be closing out the cash register and prepping for tonights baking instead of playing on your computer?
Playing? Vivian made a show of tapping one crimson fingernail on her iPad, opened it to her website and flipped through a few more cake images. The register is already closed out, so whatever youre taking there will have to be paid with exact change.
Cute, he said, closing the box. Here, he said, waving a piece of paper. I brought you a special order. Desserts for the class-reunion welcome reception.
Vivian looked at the order and congratulated herself for holding back a sigh. Booooring, she thought, running one long nail down the list.
Simple vanilla cookies. Plain frosted cupcakes. Six-dozen standard petit fours. Yawn, yawn, yawn. And one three-tier cake in the high school colors, complete with a sugar photo of the school mascot, a roaring panther.