Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
My eyebrows shot up. She was being direct.
“You already told me you did. So I want the story.”
“Why?”
“I have a feeling it is a big part of what makes you, you.”
“You really want to know? You want to know something that basically ties you to me forever? Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”
“I doubt what you’ll tell me is going to endanger my life.”
“It would be best if you left it alone.”
“It would have been best if you’d never taken me, but that worked out okay, didn’t it? At least this time, I have a choice, and I choose to know.”
I blinked at her directness.
The timer went off, and she opened the door, sliding out the trays. My mouth watered at the scent of peanut butter cookies. “I want one.”
She frowned. “They’re hot. Give them a minute, you impatient fool. And don’t change the subject.”
“Are you telling me if I don’t give you my story, you’ll tell Carolina the unvarnished truth? You’re threatening me, Little Bee?”
She lifted her chin. “Those are the terms.”
I was wrong. She was already a force to be reckoned with. I felt a flash of pride for her.
“Tonight, then.”
“Okay.” She slid a cookie off the tray, holding it out. It began to slip, and she grabbed it, yelping at the heat.
“Sugar Honey Iced Tea!” she yelled, waving her fingers.
All my annoyance faded. Laughter took its place. I took her wrist, checking her fingers. I made her hold her hand under the running cold water, still chuckling. I kissed the reddened tips and then kissed her.
“You are fucking hilarious. I have no idea how you make me so happy.” I took the cookie, plus two others and walked out of the kitchen, shaking my head. “I’ll see you tonight, my angry little bee.”
I headed back upstairs, deciding to go for a run. I bit into the cookie, the texture and taste perfect. It was still hot, and I bit back a curse as I chewed, knowing she was right that I needed to wait. But I was an impatient fool—just like she said.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea.
I began to laugh again.
She was brilliant.
Chapter Sixteen
BRIANNA
I stepped back, admiring the cake. I was sure Dante would love it. It resembled a garden, with a variety of piped flowers on top and the sides iced to look like a trellis with more flowers. He loved icing, so I went overboard with the entire thing, hoping that would satisfy his sweet tooth.
He hadn’t come back into the kitchen, and I wasn’t sure how to take that. I was certain he would come get more cookies, but I had a feeling the call from his brother had set him on edge.
I had cleaned the kitchen as I went and put all the ingredients away. It was tidy, the cake was done, and it was still sunny outside. I wandered to the patio, sitting at the table, staring at the pool. I thought of last night and the terror I had felt as I’d sunk in the dark water. I recalled Dante’s offer to teach me how to swim and decided I would take him up on the offer.
My phone buzzed with a text, and I saw Carolina’s name.
Carolina
Bri—Are you all right?
I sighed and shook my head.
Me
I am fine.
Carolina
Why are you with Uncle Dante?
I nibbled my lip as I contemplated what to say. I decided to stick to a basic outline.
Me
He came to ask me to bake him some cakes. I had just been let go from my other job, and MaryJo was threatening to fire me as well. I was upset, and he offered to bring me here and let me find my feet. I mean, summer in Italy—who could resist?
Carolina
Are you romantically involved?
Me
That is personal, Carolina.
Carolina
OMG you are.
Me
No comment. But I am fine, happy, and baking.
I attached a picture I had taken of the cake I’d made.
Me
See?
Carolina
He is older than you. And grumpy.
Me
And your mother is older than your father. Dante and I get along well. He isn’t grumpy with me. He is very sweet, actually.
Carolina
TMI
Me
Then don’t ask. How is Allan? How was the honeymoon? Is married life treating you okay?
That got her off the subject, and she gushed over her new husband and their trip and how much fun they had. Then she asked one more question.
Carolina
So I shouldn’t be worried?
Me
No, I am really good. Learning to swim, even. Roomba loves it here.
Carolina
You brought your cat?
I smirked as I replied.
Me
Dante insisted. They are best buds.
Carolina
I am not sure this is the same Dante we are talking about, but as long as you’re okay, I’ll leave it. The honeymoon was fabulous. I will tell you more later.
Me
Okay, good. I’ll see you when I’m back in Canada.
Carolina
Which is when?
I swallowed as I replied.
Me
No exact date yet. I’ll let you know.
She signed off with a smiley face, and I set the phone down, staring at the water. My Stockholm syndrome must have kicked in big-time, because the thought of going back to Canada made me anxious. I loved it here.