A few mornings after the Banks incident, I wake to Elias’s magical tongue. At least that’s the way I’ve begun to think of what he does to me. I’ve never had anyone make me feel the way he can with just his tongue and fingers. I’m not saying other parts of him aren’t just as…entertaining, but he excels at cunnilingus. Nothing’s been said officially, but he’s been staying over. It’s more like a silent communication. He didn’t ask, and I didn’t say he couldn’t. It just means more orgasms for me.

After we shower…well, eventually we actually shower, but not before I’d had two more powerful orgasms, I fix a simple breakfast of coffee, eggs, bacon and toast. That’s about the extent of my cooking abilities. But Elias is eating them. Sitting at the table eating with Elias feels normal. Which might not be a good idea. Of course, I’ve been telling myself this since the day I met him. He’s leaving.

He’d seemed so jealous of Banks. And his reaction to my suggestion that we end things wasn’t what I’d expected. Should I hope he, too, is feeling whatever this is between us?

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” Elias asks before taking a sip of his coffee.

I contemplate my schedule as I munch on a piece of crispy bacon. Our time is running out, and there’s still so much to do. “I’d like to call and check on some wedding things. I need to go see Rachael and make sure we’re good to go for catering. I also need to call my flower supplier and make sure my order hasn’t met with any problems. They should start delivering tomorrow, then Grammy and I will probably work through the night creating the arrangements we’ll need.”

He nods and stabs another piece of egg. “When do we start setting up the venue?”

I’m so excited to get started with the wedding decorations. “I’d like to get a jump on it and at least start setting up the tables for the reception as soon as they are delivered.”

“I can’t do the flower arrangements, but I can set the tables up. When are they being delivered?” Elias asks.

That would help a lot. “Sometime tomorrow afternoon. It would be great to have your help with stringing the garden lights and wrapping the beams with twinkle lights and tulle.”

His brows crunch together in confusion. “I have no idea what tulle is, but consider it done.”

“Thanks. I’ll give you written directions.” I smile at his muddled look. “Have you heard from Belinda?”

Elias wipes his mouth with a paper napkin. “I got a text from her this morning. She said they’re coming in Saturday. My email is filled with friends letting me know the time they would be arriving. It’s all falling into place, isn’t it?”

I swallow the mouthful of eggs I’d just shoveled in before answering. “If I’ve done my job, it should.”

Elias’s phone rings. He glances at the screen and pushes the button to ignore, then looks at me from across my small dining table. “You’ve done an amazing job, April.”

I feel myself blush. “Thank you, Elias.”

“I know we got off to a rough start, but I can’t imagine trusting anyone but you to give my baby sister the wedding of her dreams. She’s a very lucky woman to have found you.”

Hearing him say that after what he first thought… “I know you didn’t trust me at first, and I completely understand why. I’m glad she found me, too.” I want to say more, but my eyes chose that moment to begin stinging.

“Why don’t you go start your calls, and I’ll clean up in here? I need to run a few errands and touch base with the security detail I’ve hired. How about we meet up for dinner at Sixth Street Diner at seven?”

“That sounds like a plan.” Fifteen minutes later, I’m on hold with my supplier when Elias pulls me into his arms, takes the phone from my ear, and kisses me goodbye. Stunned, I watch the door close behind him with what I’m sure is a goofy grin on my face. A small voice coming from my phone rousts me from my daze, and I get back to business.

A few hours later, I’ve finished up my calls. I’m pleased with how things are progressing. Everything is on schedule, as it should be. I can’t have anything go wrong. Not only because it’s going to be our first event ever held at White’s Manor, or because it’s going to be a high-profile wedding that could literally make or break us, but because it’s Elias’s sister. That’s come to be more important.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, with a red and black plaid button-down fleece over the top. I grab my purse and head to The Sweet Spot to talk to Rachael. As soon as I open the door, a strong scent of cinnamon and sugar hits me, and I feel like five extra pounds has attached to my hips. Henry is sitting at a table with his head bent over a notebook. He’s getting so big. It seems just like yesterday I was holding him in my arms. I ruffle his red hair. “Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”

He looks up, his jade green eyes shining. “Hi, Aunt April. Where have you been?”

I take a seat across from Henry. There’s usually not a day that goes by that I don’t see Henry. Lately, I’ve just not had time, and I feel guilty about that. “Sorry, fella. I’ve been busy with the wedding we’re having on Saturday. I promise it won’t be for much longer and then our lives can get back to normal.” But somehow, I just don’t think “normal” is going to work for me anymore.

“I wanted to come over last night and play video games with you, but Mom said you were too busy.”

How did Rachael know Elias was at my apartment last night? I look up and find Rachael behind the counter with a customer. I have no trouble getting the message she’s sending me without saying a word. We’ve not had a chance to talk since Elias and I went to the Wolcott’s. I need to catch her up on a lot of things.

I turn back to Henry. “How about coming over tonight? I should be home after I meet a friend for dinner.”

“You’re not going to the cookout tonight?” his green eyes question.

“Oh, gosh! I forgot that’s tonight. Of course I’ll be there.” I’ll have to let Elias know about the change in plans. Should I invite him to a family cookout in my parent’s backyard? Would that be too much? “What are you working on?” I try to get a glimpse. All I see are musical notes written on lines which make no sense to me.

“Just something I’m working on.” Henry makes more marks on the page that only he can hear.

Henry’s musical ability is astounding. We knew this at a very early age. My mom and dad have a piano in their basement. Even before Henry could walk, he’d want to sit on our lap and push the keys just to hear the sound. By three, he could put notes together that sounded good. At four, he could put notes together from the songs we’d sing around the house. Then my dad gave him a ukulele when he was five, and within a few months, he was playing songs from his favorite movies on the piano and ukulele. By the age of seven, he’d taught himself how to play the guitar. When he’d turned eight, he was composing songs. His teachers say he’s musically gifted and it scares Rachael—something I’ve never been able to understand. “Are you going to play it for me?” I ask, but I already know the answer. Henry doesn’t like to share his compositions. At least not willingly.

He shrugs and makes another mark on his page. “Maybe, someday.”

“You’ve not given me a concert in weeks. I’m going to need for you to work me into your schedule soon.” I bump him with my shoulder.

Henry looks up from his page and giggles. “Aunt April, you’re crazy.”

“Crazy about you. Always.” I ruffle his red curls again and plant a slobbery kiss on his cheek, which he grumbles about. That makes it even better.

When Rachael finishes up with her customer, she sets a plate of goodies down in front of me. Henry snatches the cinnamon bun before my hand makes contact. “Hey!”

“You snooze, you lose!” He grins around a mouthful of bun.

Rachael and I laugh at his antics. “April, why don’t you join me in the back? I’ll see if I can find another one of those for you.”

The swinging door between the front and back of the bakery hadn’t even closed before Rachael turns on me. “What’s going on with you and Elias?”

I walk over to her work table and pull up a stool. “I’m going to need that bun and a cup of coffee if I’m going to tell you all that.”

She sets down a white plate with a hand-size bun and a mug of hot coffee. “Spill, bitch.”

I sigh. “Okay. You know we went to see the Wolcotts.”

Rachael nods. “Yes. And you called me in a panic. I am assuming you took my advice and took him for a ride. And I’ve noticed you’ve been having sleepovers every night since.”

I raise a brow. “Rachael, I must say for someone who hasn’t gotten any in years, you certainly don’t mind handing out that advice.” I take a bite of the heavenly bun.

“What can I say? I have to get my grins and giggles somehow. Go on, and don’t leave anything out.”

I lick my fingers, making sure to get every granule of the yummy sugar. “There’s really not that much to tell. Yeah, I slept with him, kinda. And yes to the sleepovers, but I promised you we weren’t doing facials and each other’s hair.”

“Whoa. I know it’s been a while, but I do remember you can’t kinda sleep with someone. Was there or wasn’t there orgasms involved?”

Heat flares up my face at the memories. “Well, for one of us.” I stuff another mouthful of the cinnamon roll.

“Oh.” Her eyes go serious as she nods in understanding. “I never would have thought he’d be an early shooter. He looks like he’d know his way around a vagina.”

I choke when I try to swallow, and begin to cough uncontrollably. Rachael jumps up and starts hitting me on the back. As I gasp for breath, I bang my head on the stainless-steel table. “Oh, my God, Rachael! Stop. I didn’t say that!” I wheeze when I can finally get my windpipe unclogged.

“Why don’t you explain?” She crosses her arms and waits.

I turn around and look over the top of the door to make sure Henry is still in the next room, and wipe the leftover tears from my eyes. “We didn’t have a condom,” I say quietly.

Rachael’s eyes open wide in disbelief. “What? He wasn’t packing?”

I can’t help laughing. I love crazy Rachael. “No.”

She nods as she considers the situation and then looks up with a devilish grin. “You blew him?” Her brows wag ridiculously.

“No. He…um.” I raise and lower my brows.

I can see the lightbulb moment and then her mouth spews. “He ate you out? You lucky bitch! Was it good? Does he know how to use his tongue? Did he find your clit?” she leans forward waiting for the details.

I bang my head on the table again. I knew it would be this way. “Rachael, I love you. But we need boundaries with some things. What Elias and I do in bed is one of them.”

“So…” She scoots closer and lowers her voice. “Multiples?”

My face splits into the biggest smile. “Oh, God, yes.”

A big grin appears on her smug face. “The man has skills. I knew he would. What’s he like? Wait. No, I don’t mean between the sheets.”

“He’s nothing like I expected. You know all the media hype we’ve heard about him. I didn’t expect him to be so charming or so thoughtful. Not just with me. He’s that way to everyone. Whether they recognize him or not. You should have seen him with the Wolcotts. He gave them hope and eased their fears and stress. Especially Mrs. Wolcott. She’s in treatment for breast cancer. He loved talking to fans, and he never brushed them off. He gave them his full attention, and they left having had a moment with him. We went to a barbeque the town had to raise money for the flood victims and he enjoyed simply visiting with everyone and dancing on a wooden dance floor in an old barn.”

Rachael is quiet, then looks at me with a startling discovery. “Oh, no. April. You’re falling for him.”

Quickly, I shake my head. “No. Of course I’m not. He’s leaving on Sunday to go back to California and his job.” I dismiss how that makes me feel inside. “Now, can we discuss how the food is going for the wedding?”

She gives me the “I don’t believe you” look, but she lets it drop. I stay for thirty more minutes as we discuss everything about the menu, cake, servers, and setup. But I can’t get her words out of my head. I can’t fall for Elias. I can’t.