Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Fine. Then you’ll place your order and get the hell out of here?”
“Yes,” Sophie said with a grin.
“Maybe,” Eva said at the same time.
“Whatever.” The card was exactly one of those old school Valentine’s from childhood, one pink heart glued inside the larger red one, with a small purple heart right in the center. It was handwritten in a chicken scratch I would never forget. Could never forget, no matter how hard I tried.
Roses are red. Violets are blue. You’re super hot. That kiss was too.
The poem, though childish and silly, tugged a laugh from me. A reluctant laugh as my gaze landed on the slanted signature at the bottom. Xander. Of course. I looked up at two sets of curious eyes and arched a brow. “Happy?”
Sophie’s brows dipped low in disappointment. “You’re not going to tell us what it says?”
“No.”
Eva and Sophie exchanged knowing looks and I felt my belly clench in worry. “I guess the Sheriff didn’t need our help after all.” They shared a low laugh, both wearing serious expressions. “Two cherry lattes and chocolate truffles, a dozen of them.”
“Coming right up.” True to their word, the women left soon after they received their orders, stopping only to speculate with other customers about the identity of my not-so-secret Valentine. “Next!”
The rest of the day passed mostly in a blur, except for the smile on my face, because much like the man who’d planted it on me, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss. That hotter than hell kiss that caused sweat to form on my brow, and my nipples to harden to stiff peaks. I’d never been so grateful for the stupid branded aprons that Shannon insisted we wear. It’s a purely physical reaction, it means nothing. That’s what I told myself every time my lips tipped into a smile that wasn’t related to a customer.
It was stupid, indulging in that kiss with Xander, I knew that all the way down to my bones, but it was so hot that I couldn’t find it in myself to be upset about it. As a boy, he was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen, touched or tasted. But the man he was today, was hard everywhere and big, and most of all, he really knew what he was doing.
Really.
“Next!” The church ladies had wiped out most of the inventory for tonight’s midweek service, and since the day was almost over, I hoped there weren’t too many more visitors.
“What is that smile for?” Joss stepped up to the counter, curiosity burning in her eyes.
“What smile? This is the smile I wear for all customers, even when they are annoying friends that I love.” I pulled my lips wider just to prove a point.
Joss shook her head and pointed at me. “That smile, the one that says you were having dirty thoughts. I want to know who they were about and most of all, what were you doing to this person?”
She wasn’t wrong, but I would never tell her that. “What’ll it be, Joss?” She turned her attention to the mostly empty display case just as two old ladies walked in, one I recognized as a regular customer of the bakery. “Can I get you ladies anything?”
“Nope. We have something for you, young lady.” Mrs. Pepperidge handed over a red and pink glossy box and they turned on their heels and left with the kind of aplomb only two old ladies could display.
“Um, thanks,” I called after them unnecessarily and shrugged before I opened the box. “Oh. My. God.” Two dozen sugar cookies were inside, misshapen and clumsily decorated with red and white gummy candies.
“What is it? Let me see,” Joss said, jumping in an effort to see over the tall counter. “Don’t be stingy with the information, Mara. We’re friends, remember?”
Friends. We were friends and this was exactly the kind of thing friends shared with one another, so I lifted the box and let her get a good look at the homemade cookies.
“Xander. He did the same thing in high school, baked me cookies that looked awful, but tasted surprisingly delicious. Back then, he emptied one of those giant hearts that are filled with candy, and delivered it like that.” No one had ever made me feel more special in my entire life. Before or since.
Joss let out a swoony sigh. “He’s really pulling out all the stops, isn’t he?”
“It seems so,” I replied, the words practically a growl. “But why? Xander can have his pick of any woman in town, probably the surrounding towns too. Why me?”
Joss shrugged. “Why did Ben choose me when there were hot ass MILFs dressed to the nines waiting to warm his bed and fill his belly? I don’t know why he fell in love with me anymore than I know why he was the one my heart chose. All I know is that I’m very happy about it.”