“Mmmm. Just the way I like it.” I place the cup to my lips and take a sip. “So, Brooke. How was your date last night?”
Her smile fades instantly, hardening as the memory of it washes over her. “Painful,” she grits out. “I swear to God, I’m done with dating sites. The guy last night, Dustin, was a major let-down in the package department. One look and I was like,” she brushes her hands off in front of her, holding them out with her palms facing us as she steps back. “I’m out.” The three of us burst out laughing as she moves toward the kitchen, smiling over her shoulder before she slips into the back.
I take another sip of my drink, moaning against the brim. The caffeine perks me up instantly, and the caramel might just be enough to curb my sweet tooth for the remainder of the day.
Maybe.
Doubt it.
Joey drums his fingers on the counter, his eyes flicking between me and Reese while his lips stay curled up into a sly smile. “And how is my favorite soon-to-be-married couple this morning? Anyone getting cold feet?”
I lift my eyes to Reese, catching the look he gives as his response.
“Right. What a ridiculous question,” Joey says through a laugh.
I reach behind my back and untie my apron. “Reese and I need to go get his car this morning. Can you handle things? We shouldn’t be long.”
Joey nods, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, no problem. Just don’t forget about the other wedding cake you need to start on. Besides your own.” He adds that last part with a playful smile.
“I haven’t.” Spinning around, I take another sip of my coffee and place a hand on Reese’s arm. “Come on. You ready?”
“Yeah, let me run upstairs and get my keys.”
I slip my apron off and toss it under the counter as he disappears into the back. Brooke walks back up front, wearing her biggest smile.
“This is adorable. I love that he’s here.”
“Me, too,” I reply. I really love that he’s here. In fact, I’m tempted to ask him to take another sick day tomorrow. I smile at her, remembering what I promised yesterday. “When I get back, it’s you, me, and a wedding cake.”
She claps her hands excitingly in front of her. “Oooo, yes! This is going to be awesome! What kind of cake are we making?”
Joey holds his hand up, halting my response. “One that doesn’t sound appetizing at all. Banana cake with caramel cheesecake mousse.” He grimaces, sticking a finger in his throat to mimic throwing up.
I shove his shoulder. “It’s going to be a beautiful cake. The bride wants sugared orchids cascading down one side. I love that. And those flavors work really well together.” Reese walks back through the doorway, twirling his keys on his finger. I walk around the display case to join him. “We’ll be back soon. Play nice, you two.”
Joey wraps his arm around Brooke’s shoulder. “Who? Us? There’s nothing but love here.”
I stop at the door, eyeing him suspiciously over my shoulder. Brooke is staring up at him with her own, as he wears the biggest teasing grin I’ve ever seen. “Did you get laid last night?” I ask. His playful eyebrow wiggle answers for him. Brooke pushes away from him, scoffing in the process as I roll my eyes. “Later, bitches.”
“So, what exactly did you drink last night? Do you remember?” I ask as I weave in and out of traffic.
“I remember everything.”
I glance over at him, seeing his set profile. “You do?”
He runs his hands down his face, dropping them to his lap before responding. “Yeah. I know I drank whiskey. A lot of it.”
“Do you remember getting home?” I steal another glance and see him drop his head against the seat.
“I remember everything, Dylan. The way you looked at me after you stopped the alarm. The conversation on the stairs. Everything. I promise you’ll never see me like that again.”
I pull over in front of The Tavern and put the car in park before I grab his hand. He immediately threads his fingers through mine, keeping his eyes focused on them. “I didn’t mind taking care of you. Not last night and not this morning either. It’s my job.”
His eyes meet mine, flashing with assurance. “It won’t happen again. The only thing that makes me lose control is you. Nothing else. Okay?”
I give his hand a gentle squeeze while his other grabs the door handle. “Okay. I’ll meet you back at the shop?”
He leans over, pressing his lips against mine. What starts off as the lightest touch quickly dissolves into a searing connection. I fist his shirt with both hands, holding him to me as he devours my mouth. His lips tease my jaw, my neck, the delicate skin below my ear. He has me worked into a wild frenzy in a matter of seconds. Breaking away, he pants loudly against my mouth before licking his bottom lip.
“You taste like your coffee.”
“Sorry.”