Tuesday morning, Charlotte wasn’t sure which delicious treat she was more excited about: cake or Dean. It had been a long couple of days to go without seeing him, and she was anxious to spend some time together.
She pulled up in front of the Stag and put her car in park before shooting off a text to Dean.
CHARLOTTE: Out front, “boyfriend.”
She stared at the screen, biting back a smile, wondering how he’d reply. When she finally saw that he was writing back, she held her breath.
DEAN: Be right there, dear.
She laughed and shoved her phone in her purse. Within a couple of moments Dean came out the front door, dressed in jeans and his Stag polo with the logo on the chest. She admired his body as he walked, the way his belt sat right at his hips and the denim of his jeans hugged his thighs. Now that she knew exactly how beautiful he was underneath, it was hard not to imagine it as he got into the front seat of her car.
As soon as he sat down he leaned forward to grab the lever beneath and then push the seat back.
“Sorry, I forgot I was picking up a big strapping hunk of man.”
He laughed quietly and turned to look at her while he buckled his safety belt. “How are you?” he asked.
“Happy to see you.” She couldn’t help being blunt about it. Why lie?
“Good. I’m happy to see you.”
She hoped so. “Ready to eat cake?”
“Always.”
She pulled off from the curb and headed for their first stop, Delicious Diva’s. She’d had their cakes a handful of times. They were pretty good. Not nearly as good as Jill’s cakes—that was their second appointment—but they would do if Dean liked them and their price. Charlotte knew that Jill’s would be over the budget, but she kind of hoped the woman might be willing to work with them.
When Charlotte had called and explained their situation, Jill had been kind and excited to hear from her. They’d referred each other several times over the years, and Charlotte always sent Jill digital photos of her cakes for her website. She’d informed Charlotte that she was booked on that Saturday for two cakes, which made her Friday very busy, but to go ahead and come over for a tasting and they’d discuss what she might be able to do.
So that was today’s plan, and Charlotte really hoped she and Dean would manage to work in some kissing along the way.
Delicious Diva’s was about twenty minutes from Maple Springs in downtown Overland Park, so on the ride she and Dean discussed everything except Saturday night or their new relationship status. Which left her a little frustrated, although she knew that was silly. What was there to say, really?
“So John called this morning to verify that I still wanted him to come in tomorrow. Talked to TJ on the phone,” Dean said. Reminding Charlotte of the conversation she really didn’t want to have anymore.
Her stomach twisted a bit, but she knew being cool was important. She’d told him repeatedly that she was okay with this. “That’s good. He seems eager still. What did TJ think?”
He rubbed the top of his thighs. Maybe the topic made him a little uncomfortable still, also. “TJ seemed to like him. It was only over the phone, but he thought he seemed really excited about the process and the business. And I can’t imagine he and Jake won’t get along.”
Dean was right, Jake got along with almost everyone. Charlotte twisted her lips as she watched the highway zoom by. It hadn’t occurred to her how much she’d hate the idea of John becoming chummy with her Stag guys. Would he become one of them? Close friends? That idea grated a little more than she’d expected. But it was inevitable. Everyone liked John. Always.
“Does this upset you, Charlotte? Be honest with me.”
Clearly he could read her thoughts … or her body language was more like it. “It’s a little weird, obviously. But truly, it’s fine,” she said brightly, and she knew her attempt had been unsuccessful when he turned to face her. Well, as much as a man his size could in her little car.
“Seriously?”
“What do you want me to say? It’s not like my feelings should affect your business decisions.”
“That’s not true. You’re like … part of the family at the Stag. I hate the thought that someone working with me will make you uncomfortable. I hate knowing he hurt you.” He looked out the windshield and ran a hand through his hair. “I hate knowing … he slept with you.”
Charlotte’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and her gaze flickered to him for a brief moment then back to the road as she merged to get off the highway.
“Why would you even think about that?”
“I can’t help but think about it. I know that’s messed up, but I’m a man, babe, and we generally don’t like to share. Even retroactively.”
His words warmed her from the inside out, and she knew her cheeks flushed. It was a very relationship-minded feeling to have, and that made her optimistic about them.
“Would it help if I told you Saturday night was the best sex I’ve ever had?” Charlotte asked.
She felt his eyes on her. “Yes, it would help. Feel free to elaborate.”
Laughing, she pulled into a parking spot outside the Delicious Diva’s awning. “Hold that thought. It’s time to eat cake.”
Once inside the cute little bakery, Charlotte and Dean chose four different flavors of cake and two varieties of frosting to try. They sat down at a small table with a woman named Gloria and dug in. They were good, no denying that, but Charlotte just couldn’t help comparing every bite with Jill’s.
“They are all really good,” Dean said once they’d tasted all of the offerings.
“Thank you,” Gloria said with a smile. “Our recipes are all made fresh from scratch.”
She proceeded to give more of her spiel on price, delivery, and ordering. When she was finished, Charlotte thanked her and assured her they’d be in touch soon.
Stepping outside, Dean let out a deep sigh as they walked to the car.
“Let it out,” Charlotte teased. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that five dollars and seventy-five cents a serving, for that, is thievery.”
Charlotte winced. “It is expensive, but so is Jill’s. Maybe more so.”
Dean shook his head and held out his hand. “Let me drive.”
“Why?”
“I’m frustrated.” His words were clipped.
She handed her keys over with flair. “Oh yes, please take my life into your hands while you’re irritated and want to blow off steam.”
His eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I just … like to drive.”
She was beginning to see that Dean was not always as chill as he appeared to be. They got into the car and he started up the engine before adjusting his seat. Charlotte did the same, but moved the passenger chair back up to where it had been before he and his long legs got in.
“I hope I shouldn’t take this as an insult on my driving,” she said.
“No, not at all.” He sounded convincing. “Now, where do I go?”
Charlotte pulled up Jill’s address on her phone and told him to get on the highway. Jill worked out of her home, and luckily it wasn’t far. They were pulling into her driveway not ten minutes later.
“So, Jen told me this Jill woman has an entire wing built onto the house.” Dean put the car in park and stared up at Jill’s cute little bungalow.
“She does, but I’ve never seen it. I’m so excited.” And she was. Jill’s cakes were among the most delicious things Charlotte had ever eaten in her life.
“We’re supposed to walk around to the back.” Charlotte led the way around the side of the house and up to the addition on the rear. A cute little awning topped the glass-paned door. A sign hung off to the side that read JILL’S CAKES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Before Charlotte could knock, she saw Jill wave through the glass, so she waved back and waited. When Jill opened the door she ushered them inside.
“It’s getting hot out there,” Jill said. Her blondish-gray hair was pulled into a low ponytail. Jill was a beautiful woman, and it was obvious that she’d probably garnered a lot of attention from the boys in her younger days. Her warm personality only added to her charm. “Don’t worry, I keep it nice and cool in here so my frosting doesn’t melt.”
It was chilly in the little space and Charlotte squeezed her arms against her body. Just as he had in the flower shop, Dean laid his hands on her bare skin and slowly rubbed up and down in an attempt to warm her. Lately he seemed to be very in tune with her body, and she was afraid that was something she could get used to in his presence.
If Jill noticed their closeness she made no mention. She went right on and showed them around her bakery, which she was clearly very proud of—for good reason, in Charlotte’s opinion.
“My late husband built this entire space ten years ago with the help of my grandson Joshua, who still builds all my cake stands. He’s a carpenter.”
“This is remarkable, Jill,” Charlotte said. The entire work space was maybe the size of a small living room. One entire wall was shelving that held pans, cookie cutters, cooling racks, delivery boxes, and all kinds of baking accoutrements. The far wall had two wall ovens, a full stove, and a giant sink, and in the center of the space was a massive island with three professional mixers and several turning cake stands.
“They did a great job. And it smells wonderful,” Dean said.
“Yes. I’m so excited, Jill. I have to be honest, you’re really the only baker I wanted right from the start.” Charlotte glanced at Dean, who was holding back a grin. With an embarrassed laugh she said what she knew they were all probably thinking. “I sound like this is for my wedding, don’t I?”
“A little bit,” he teased her. “But it’s cute.”
Jill smiled, her eyes darting between them. “Well, come over here you two. I’ve invited my granddaughter Julia. However, she appears to be running a touch behind. I hope you don’t mind me including her, I know it was presumptuous, but I think having her involved will make this all possible.”
Charlotte wasn’t sure what Jill meant by that, but she had no problem with Julia joining them. As she and Dean sat down at a pair of stools, the door connecting the bakery to the house burst open.
“Sorry I’m late, Grandma. Traffic was just so crazy.”
“Hurry up, dear.” Jill waved her granddaughter over. “We’re just getting started.”
“Dean, Charlotte, this is Julia Morris.”
“So nice to meet you,” Charlotte said.
Julia took her hand and then shook Dean’s hand with a large bashful smile on her face. Charlotte’s senses went on high alert at the look. Julia was quite beautiful, with wavy brunette hair and bright-blue eyes.
“I guess I should explain my thoughts to you,” Jill said, sitting adjacent to them at the island. She motioned for Julia to sit beside her, and the young woman plopped her large purse on the counter. With a sigh, Jill grabbed the bag and quietly moved it to the floor. “Food-safe, dear. Purses are filthy things.”
Charlotte smiled as Julia quickly grabbed a Sani-Cloth out of a nearby container and wiped at the counter with it.
“So, after our phone chat the other day I was able to get another good look at my calendar. I am sad to say that I’m already incredibly busy the weekend of your event.” Jill shifted in her seat, but before Charlotte had time to show her disappointment, the woman held up a finger. “However, I’ve been teaching Julia here the business. I’m no spring chicken, you know, and I’ve developed quite a client base, which I’d hate to lose to someone else. Julia’s doing really well and I thought maybe she could take on your event.”
Charlotte’s eyes went wide. “Oh…”
“She uses all my recipes,” Jill said quickly. “And I’m here if she needs me, but the majority of the execution will be up to her.”
Julia was biting at her bottom lip. She began to speak as soon as Charlotte looked at her. “This would only be my third wedding. I have to be honest about that. But I’ve done several baby showers and birthdays.”
“She’s also helped me on several of my recent jobs. She has a gift.” This was from Jill. “In reality, she’s been in my kitchen since she could pull up a stool to the counter. I have complete faith in her ability.”
“I don’t know why not. We’re desperate enough,” Dean said. Everyone looked at him. “I mean … sorry, that came out wrong.”
“What Dean is trying to say is that we are happy to use you.” Charlotte tried to help him. “We are asking a lot to give you such little notice. If Julia is using your recipes and has experience, I’m sure it will be wonderful. As long it’s delicious, that’s all that matters.”
Julia smiled. “I promise it will be delicious. And beautiful.”
Jill looked pleased. “Fantastic. Julia’s prices are also more reasonable than mine.”
“Even better,” Dean blurted out. Charlotte flicked his thigh under the counter, and he flicked her back. The brat.
“Well, let’s taste some cake, why don’t we.”
Charlotte sat up straighter on her stool, because this was the part she’d been waiting for. She rubbed her hands together with relish and heard Dean laugh beside her.
Julia retrieved a long white platter from a far counter and removed the plastic wrap. Charlotte let out a small gasp when she saw the two rows of triple-layered cake pieces. Dean leaned over and bumped her shoulder with his. “It’s your lucky day,” he whispered.
“Yes it is.” Eating cake with Dean. Nothing could be better.
Jill left to do something else and allowed Julia to take over from there, describing all the varieties of cake they offered. There was chocolate fudge with espresso ganache, strawberry cream with champagne buttercream, sour cream white with raspberry cream, carrot cake with cream cheese, chocolate chip with salted fudge, and pumpkin chocolate chip with cinnamon cream cheese. Charlotte was in heaven.
“All of the cakes and fillings are interchangeable if you’d like. We’ve just matched the most popular options.” Julia handed them both a fork.
Charlotte’s instinct was to go at it with abandon, but she glanced over to Dean.
“Ladies first.” He nodded at the platter. “I’d hate to lose a finger over it.”
Charlotte laughed and went right for the chocolate chip cake. “I know I love this one.” She put the bite into her mouth and her eyelids dropped shut.
When she opened them, she looked right at Dean. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I guess it’s pretty good.”
“It’s more than good. It’s life changing.”
“You willing to share?”
“I guess since I must. But start with that one.” She pointed at the flavor she’d just tried.
He took a bite and she watched as he put it in his mouth. She couldn’t help remembering how soft and full his lips had felt when she kissed them. His neck moved as he swallowed.
She waited. “Well?”
“It’s really good. Not sure about the salted fudge, though.”
“Try this then.” Charlotte scooped up some of the chocolate chip cake and used her finger to put a dab of the chocolate ganache on top. Dean tried it.
“I like that much better.”
Charlotte decided she obviously had to try that combo. “Oh yeah,” she moaned and then loaded up another bite. “I liked the salt, but I think that’s a winner.”
“There’s still more.” Dean chuckled. “Keep tasting.”
Julia jotted down some notes as they went through the pieces, trying them as they were, experimenting with the fillings. Every cake was delicious and there really wasn’t a bad choice.
“I want to make sure this has real frosting on it,” Dean said after a while. “Not that smooth blanket-looking stuff.”
“That’s fondant,” Julia said. “If you prefer buttercream on the outside I’ll make note of it.”
“What do you think Alex would like?” Charlotte asked.
“Well, she loves frosting, which is why I mentioned it. As for cake, she loves anything chocolate. But I also think she’d like this white one with the raspberry in it.”
“That one is very popular for weddings,” Julia said.
“How about that one and the chocolate chip?” Charlotte suggested.
“Can we do that?” Dean inquired, turning to Julia. “Have two flavors?”
“Of course. People have multiple flavors all the time. Once we choose a design we’ll just decide the best way to divide it up on the cake.”
Dean noticeably relaxed, and Charlotte smiled. “Sounds perfect, Julia.”
The woman beamed. “Great. So let’s choose the design.” She pulled a couple of photo albums from a shelf on the wall and opened the largest one in front of them. The first page of cake photos already had Charlotte swooning. Jill’s cakes ran the gamut from simple to over-the-top showstoppers.
“Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not yet capable of re-creating all of these cakes.”
“That’s okay.” Charlotte tried to sound reassuring. “The taste is the most important thing, and I don’t really think our style is too fancy.”
“Perfect. Then why don’t I just point out the ones I know I can manage.”
Charlotte and Dean looked at each other and agreed with a nod. After a few moments they’d noted several they thought looked pretty. For the most part it was Charlotte commenting and Dean quietly agreeing with her.
“You guys like the same ones I like,” Julia said with a laugh. “And you always agree, it’s so cute. How long have you been together?”
“Not long, but we’ve known each other a long time,” Dean said, shocking Charlotte. She just stared at him as he finished. “This cake, however, is actually for my sister’s wedding. Charlotte and I are planning it for her because she and her fiancé are currently deployed.”
“Oh! That’s so nice. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. So now a few things make sense. She must be the Alex you mentioned. I should not have assumed.”
“Not your fault, this is kind of an odd situation. And the couple is Alex and Nate.”
“Wonderful!” Julia made a quick note of the names on her paper and then looked at Charlotte with a wide grin. “I better do a good job then, so you’ll ask me to make the cake for your wedding.”
Charlotte was stunned into silence at the words, but thankfully Dean saved the moment. He gave Charlotte’s leg a quick squeeze.
“I’m sure you’ll be great.”
Looking over at him, Charlotte gave an awkward smile. Was he not completely thrown off by the idea of them marrying?
They’d just slept together, for goodness’ sake.
Focusing on the photos once more, it didn’t take them long to choose a classic buttercream-frosted design. Some simple piped filigree would adorn the first and third layers, which would be white with raspberry. The second and fourth layers would be chocolate chip cake with a ruffle pipping detail. It was going to be lovely, and Charlotte couldn’t help wonder if she was making good decisions on Alex’s behalf. Everything would be petty, but would the other woman love what they were choosing for her wedding? She snapped a photo of the cake design with her phone. Currently, she had a slew of photos from their plans saved up for reference.
After Dean had given them a two-hundred-dollar deposit, Julia was kind enough to pack up all of the uneaten cake samples and send them with the two of them. As they quietly walked out to her car, Charlotte began to feel butterflies in her stomach. Ridiculous, considering she was now closer to Dean than she’d ever been, but then again, that was more than likely the problem. What did they do now?
Outside she automatically got back into the passenger seat while he headed for the driver’s door. Once they were buckled in and he’d started the engine and pulled out, Dean cleared his throat.
“That went well. I liked their cake much better than the first place,” Dean said.
“No one can outdo Jill. She’s a treasure.”
“But you weren’t expecting her granddaughter.”
“No … but it seems like it will be fine. Don’t you agree?”
“Yeah, absolutely. Saving some money was nice also.”
Charlotte laughed. “Yes, Scrooge, I’m sure you charmed them both with your comments on liking the cheaper price.”
He shrugged as he pulled onto the highway. “Yeah well, four hundred dollars for a cake still seems like a lot. What can I say? I’m stressing about the money.”
“Speaking of which, I want you to know I have no intention of cashing that check you very slyly slipped in with the addresses.”
Dean frowned. “Charlotte, I’m paying you to photograph my sister’s wedding.”
“No, you’re not. You need to quit worrying about it. I want to do this for you, and that’s final.”
She was ready for him to argue, but as they pulled into the alley behind the distillery, he just let the car idle while he turned his head to stare at her. “I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate you.”
“It’s my pleasure helping you. You should know that.” Her eyes met his and held. She loved the small creases that formed beyond his lashes when he narrowed his gaze on her. His eyes flickered over her face, her lips, and then back up.
“I want you again, Charlotte.” His voice was rough.
“Then have me,” she said. Unable to resist, she reached up and rested her palm on his cheek. She was rewarded with the rumble of Dean’s laughter before he sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest.
“I wish I didn’t have so much to do today. Plus I kind of want to jot some notes down on what I want to go over with John tomorrow.”
Remaining quiet, Charlotte debated her next move as she stared at Dean’s profile. It was so masculine, just like the rest of him. His nose was straight, his jaw defined. The most appealing idea was to just crawl into his lap and cover his beautiful face with kisses, but her car wasn’t really made for that kind of craziness.
“Will you maybe … call me tonight?” she asked. And for some reason the request made her feel very vulnerable. Sleeping together was one thing, talking just for fun … well, that felt like another.
He turned to her. “Of course. I’d like that.”
She smiled and then got out of the car. He did the same. When she met him on the driver’s side, he reached out and pulled her against his body.
“I like cake,” he whispered. “But I like you better.”
“I was thinking the same thing all day,” she said, her hand reaching up to stroke his jaw.
Dean leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers. The feel of his soft lips stroking hers was like magic, and she let her fingers slip into his hair as they angled their heads to deepen the connection.
He kissed her hard and then more slowly, until finally pulling back to rest his forehead against hers.
“I better get inside.”
“Me too. I think I’m going to go home and edit your photos.”
Dean’s eyebrow went up. “I wondered if you’d done that yet.”
“I’m pretty excited. I might frame them to hang all over my bedroom.”
He chuckled and placed another quick kiss on her lips. “As long as they’re hidden when I come over. Unless they’re of the two of us. That, I would enjoy. In fact, I want those printed and hung all over my bedroom.”
Charlotte grinned, biting her bottom lip. “Maybe you’ll get a surprise text from me later.”
“I better.”