I stifle my laugh. “Bad and Boozie?”
He looks up at the ceiling as if he needs to pray for patience. “I didn’t come up with it.”
“God, I hope not.”
“It’s the chat the two of them created to get on Declan and Rowan’s nerves after we went to brunch one time.”
“And does it?”
“Astronomically, which is the only reason I would willingly stay in a chat with the two of them. I have the notifications silenced most of the time.”
I laugh as I check out the chat. The first photo is a selfie that Cal took of the three of us eating funnel cakes in front of the castle. I’m clearly trying to clean Cami’s face, which is covered in powdered sugar as she devours the fried dough, while Cal grins at the two of us with an expression that makes my chest pinch. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look that happy before—that at peace.
Not even in the photo of us on the dock sharing cholados Colombianos.
Iris
OMG. Funnel cakes? One-on-one meet-and-greets with princess? A private dinner inside the castle with an exclusive chef? You’re completely spoiling them.
As it should be.
Zahra
Falls over from swooning so hard.
Zahra
I’m jealous I had to work instead of hanging out with them all day.
Iris
Well, I’m jealous that you met them already!
Maybe you can meet them tomorrow.
Iris
Really?!?!
Zahra
Yes!!!
Zahra
Can you imagine me screaming?
I said maybe…
Iris
How can we turn that into a yes?
I haven’t even gotten around to asking her yet.
Iris
Tell her that I have been dying to meet her for years ever since you cried about her.
I end up laughing so hard that Cal frowns.
“You cried over me?” I wheeze.
He steals his phone out of my hand. “I had something in my eye.”
“What? A reality check?”
He scratches his eyebrow with his middle finger, making me laugh again.
“So, what time is dinner?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Because I’m dying to hear all about you from Iris.”
His head drops back with a sigh. “Worst idea ever.”
Cal asks the golf cart driver to stop the cart outside of a row of warehouses. Cami looks up from my phone to take in her surroundings before deeming them far less interesting than the video playing on the screen.
“Where are we?” I shield my eyes from the sun as I take in the various warehouses with people coming in and out of the front doors.
“This is where all the magic happens.”
My forehead wrinkles with confusion. “What does that even mean?”
“I’d rather show you instead.” He jumps off the cart and offers me his hand. Cami follows behind us, her head down as she continues watching the show on my phone.
“But what about going to the waterpark?” I take in my outfit of flip-flops, a one-piece, and a pair of jean shorts.
“As much as I’d love to spend the whole day with you in a swimsuit, that can wait for tomorrow.”
“But Cami—”
He cuts me off. “Is fine with what I have planned. She gave me the go-ahead herself yesterday. Right, kiddo?”
Cami throws him a thumbs-up without looking away from her screen.
“See?” Cal raises a brow.
“She was in on this the whole time?” My mouth drops open.
“Surprise.” Cami looks up with a wide grin.
“She didn’t say a single thing when I got her all dressed up in her swimsuit this morning.”
“Because he gave me money!”
I blink up at Cal. “How much?”
“Can you really put a price tag on discretion?”
“One thousand dollars!” Cami squeals, nearly dropping my phone.
“One. Thousand. Dollars?” My pitch rises at the end.
“I hustled him good, Mommy.” She holds out her fist for me to pound, something she no doubt learned from the man smiling beside me.
I press my palm against my forehead. “I’m not sure how I’ll survive the two of you.”
“Come on. We’re late.” He places his hand on the small of my back.
“Late for what?”
“You’ll see.” He leads us toward a blue door a little ways off from where the golf cart dropped us. With a tug, it creaks open.
The smell of fresh baked bread and cinnamon rolls hits me all at once.
“Oh my God.” I take a second sniff. “That smells amazing.”
His grin widens as he grabs my hand and pulls me inside. We walk through a semi-lit hallway before it opens into a massive kitchen with state-of-the-art everything.
“Bonjour!” A man wearing a white chef’s outfit waves his knife in the air.
“Tell me that’s not who I think it is.” I pull Cal back a step.
“Surprise.” He grins.
“You’re Alana?” Chef Gabriel asks with a hint of a French accent. He wipes the flour off his hand with a towel before offering me it to shake. His smile is even brighter in person than it is on those TV shows he guest stars on, making him look much more approachable than what would be expected of someone who gets paid to yell at bakers and critique their skills.
“Hi,” I squeak as I grab on to his hand.
Oh my God. You’re shaking hands with the Chocolate King.
My hand trembles in his, which he doesn’t comment on. I never thought I would be the kind of girl who would get starstruck, but here I am with my heart pounding in my chest and my palm sweating as I stand before the man whose career I have followed since I was in high school.
Chef lets go of my hand. “Cal has told me all about your love for baking.”
“He has?” My voice hits the highest pitch ever.
“Yes. He and I thought it would be fun if we made his birthday cakes together.”
I blink twice. “I’m sorry. Did you say cakes? As in plural?”
Cal coughs in a poor attempt to cover up his laugh.
“Yes. Cakes.” He emphasizes the s sound with a grin. “I was supposed to teach you one of my recipes, but once I spoke to Cal about his favorite sweets of yours, I thought we could swap recipes. I’ve been told your tres leches cake is to die for.”
I shoot Cal a look over my shoulder. “I didn’t realize you and Cal knew each other.”
Cal shrugs. “We produce his show.”
“Of course you do.” Is anything in the world safe from the Kane Company and their influence?
Who are you to complain? Now you get to spend the day with the Chocolate King!
Chef Gabriel shoots me a small smile. “Shall we get started? I have a plane to catch this evening and Cal told me you have a dinner to attend.”
“Sure. Yes!” I take a few hesitant steps toward the metal counter.
“Cami and I are going to go work on decorating some sugar cookies and cupcakes for Rowan’s buddies’ team meeting tomorrow.” Cal kisses my cheek.
Cami hands me my phone before reaching up and clasping Cal’s hand. The two of them walk to the other side of the warehouse, where a few employees stand by with trays of cookies, cupcakes, and decorating supplies.
“Are you ready to get started?” Chef claps his hands together.