Page 20 of The Flirt

"What's this?" She pointed at the box.

"Open it."

I sat next to her because I didn't want to miss her expression.

She opened it and gasped, glancing at me. "This is king cake!"

"I know."

"But it's not in season."

"I know the bakery owner. Happens to be another LeBlanc. I put in a special order," I said.

"For me?" She put a hand on her chest.

Why did she find it so hard to believe? You’d think I’d given her a diamond.

"Yes."

"You want us to add it to the menu or something?"

For God's sake. "No, Scarlett, it's just for you. You said you wanted to taste king cake, and I could bring you one—the very best, no less."

Carefully, she held it up in her hand and bit right into it.

I guess she didn't need the fork after all.

"This is amazing. Soooo delicious." She flashed me a huge smile. She had a few crumbs around her lips and looked fucking adorable. Her smile was out of this world and completely lit her up. Not just her face but her body, too, somehow.

“I’ve read all about traditions and knew king cake was a must try, and I’m so glad I did!”

“So, what did you find out about the dessert?” I was genuinely curious.

“The French began the custom in the twelfth century for Epiphany, to celebrate the three kings. Sometimes there’s a gift inside, like the baby Jesus.”

“I don’t think he put a gift in there. Maybe next time.”

She turned to face me head-on. "Chad, thank you. This is the loveliest thing anyone's ever done for me."

That caught me completely off guard.

What the hell? How is that even possible? I just ordered cake for her.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it” was all I said.

She ate half of it in a span of two minutes without saying another word, then sat back in her chair with a sigh. “So good. I’ll eat the rest later.”

"You know, that was for two people," I pointed out.

She blinked. "Oh, you wanted some too?"

"We'll never know now, will we?" I was teasing, of course.

She batted her eyelashes. "But your family owns the bakery. I'm sure they’d make a special order for you whenever you like."

"That’s debatable," I said. "Beckett only gave in after I told him it was especially for you."

She parted her lips but didn't say anything else for a few moments. Finally, she told me, "Well, if I ever meet Beckett, I'll thank him. How much was it?”

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