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.”
He smiles. “Don’t be. I love how everything tastes on your tongue.” His lips meet mine once more, briefly, before he opens the car door. “I’ll follow you.”
“Good luck keeping up,” I tease, earning myself a warning look before he steps out. He closes the door, and I watch him walk to the driver’s side of his car through my rear-view mirror. I lick my lips, tasting the combination of sugar and coffee.
Apple turnover, caramel macchiato, and Reese Carroll.
I’m doubting anything has tasted better.