Read Confectionately Yours #2: Taking the Cake! for Free Online

up the back of his neck. We break into giggles … but not too loudly, because the guy looks like he could easily rip our arms off.
    Meghan takes a sip of hot cider. She spots something, and her eyes narrow.
    I follow her gaze to see Artie and Devon crossing the street toward us. Artie is holding a bag from Faces in onehand. The other is resting on Devon’s arm. She’s gazing at him, but Devon is waving at us. Me, specifically.
    “Hayley!” Devon calls. He quickens his pace, and Artie’s hand falls from his arm. “I’m so glad we ran into you! Hi, Meghan.”
    “Hey, Devon. Hey, Artie,” Meghan says.
    “Artemis,” she corrects. Artie flashes us a thin smile, as if she can barely endure our presence. It’s a real ego boost to get a look like that from someone who used to be your best friend, let me tell you. Love it like crazy!
    Meghan takes another sip of her cider, then leans back on her elbows, sort of draped casually across the steps. She doesn’t reply to Artie’s name change.
    “Have you had one of Hayley’s cupcakes?” Devon asks Meghan. “They’re amazing! Right, Artemis?”
    I feel myself flush with happiness, but Artie just nods. “Mmm.”
    “Hayley makes me gluten-free cupcakes,” Meghan replies. “I just had one that was literally the best thing I’ve eaten in three years.”
    “So, I had this brilliant idea, Hayley,” Devon says. “How about you come up with some original, crazy cupcakes to sell as a fund-raiser for the musical?”
    “For the musical?” Artie’s eyebrows fly up. I can read her mind: You mean my musical?
    “Why not?” Devon says. “I mean, you guys are good friends, right?”
    We look at each other for a moment. “Oh, right ,” Artie replies.
    I give a tight little smile and a shrug that could mean anything.
    Artie hesitates. “Still, I’m not sure Hayley has the time….”
    I’m not wild about the idea, either. The fact is, Artie and I aren’t friends anymore, and she clearly doesn’t want me busting in on her Devon Time. “We’re not allowed to have bake sales at school anymore,” I point out.
    “Right!” Artie says.
    “Yeah, but you could sell them during the play, at intermission,” Devon suggests. “We always sell treats then. It isn’t during official school hours. Why don’t you come to rehearsal tomorrow and we can suggest the cupcake idea to Ms. Lang. Then you can stay and watch. Maybe it’ll help you come up with a few ideas —”
    The whole time Devon is saying this, Artie is scowling at me like it’s my fault that the World’s Cutest Guy likes my cupcakes. “Devon, the drama club can just sell candy,” shesnaps. “Hayley doesn’t have to come to our rehearsals and go crazy baking —”
    “It sounds like fun.” I don’t know what makes me say this. Maybe an evil part of me just wants to see Artie squirm, the way she made me squirm the other day.
    “What?” Artie’s head snaps toward me. “Aren’t you too busy, Hayley?” she asks through clenched teeth.
    “I’m never too busy to help a friend!” I say in my sweetest voice.
    “Isn’t she the greatest, Devon?” Meghan asks.
    “Definitely!” Devon says.
    “Oh, yes, definitely,” Artie echoes faintly.
    “So we’ll see you tomorrow?” Devon asks. “Four p.m. — the rehearsal’s in the auditorium.”
    “I’ll be there,” I promise.
    “Awesome!” Devon says, and he and Artie walk off.
    Meghan grins and throws her arm across my shoulders. “Love that Hayley like crazy!” she shouts after them, and we both crack up. “Well, it looks like young Mr. McAllister is in like,” Meghan mutters once they’re out of earshot. She drains the last of her apple cider.
    “Yeah, he’s really into Artie.” I sip my drink, but it’s gone cold.
    “Artie? Devon likes you .”
    “Oh, please.” I shift on the stone step uncomfortably. My heart is flailing madly like a squirrel in a trap, and my brain is going: Ohmigoshcouldsheberight?ButMeghanisnuts!But