Page 21 of Made for You

“Thank you. I take the happy food noises and dances as a big compliment.”

I crack eggs into the bowl for my next adventure, muffins.

I’m going to make a dark chocolate cherry muffin for the Valentine’s Day theme coming up.

“Are you ignoring the question?” She smirks at me.

“No. I don’t have an answer. He’s grouchy, but he was my best friend. He’s always preferred to be alone, but not with me. It’s like we’re kids again. Only he’s a little…” She stares at me. “Okay, a lot easier to annoy.”

“That man was not looking at you like that when you were kids.” She raises a brow at me.

“Okay. So like we’re kids but with adult…feelings,” I smirk. “Do you really want to talk to me about your brother?” I joke.

She scrunches up her face, “Yup. Nope. When you say it like that…,” she fake gags at the thought. “I thought we were friends.”

I laugh at her as I throw on my mixer and she leaves me alone in the kitchen once again to finish up my orders.

I wrap the bagels individually while the muffins bake, and pack up boxes for the guests coming in this weekend, and for the coffee shop. I pack small cups of cream cheese to go with each bagel.

When the timer dings, I pull out the trays of muffins.

This time I inhale deeply. The dark chocolate melts and mixes with the dark cherries to create a sweet smell that fills the kitchen.

I place the muffins by a cracked window to cool quickly. I’m trying to get everything packed up for the coffee shop so I can make a delivery before the meeting to plan the Valentine’s Day dance.

Just as I’m about to bring the boxes out to my car, Liam pulls up to the inn.

“I was just coming to see if you wanted to drive with me to the meeting,” he says in such a curt manner.

“Why yes, Liam, I would love nothing more than to attend the meeting with you. Thank you so much for asking so nicely.” I stick my tongue out at him as I place a batch of boxesin the trunk.

“Violet, would you like to drive with me to the meeting? I would enjoy spending time with you,” he corrects himself.

“On one condition, help me grab the rest of these for Emerald Roasters.” I wrap my arm about his waist and walk back to the kitchen. Surprisingly, he wraps a strong arm around my shoulders in response.

He leans down to whisper “You know, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our kiss. I was really disappointed when Emma was in the kitchen this morning.”

“I can’t either,” I admit to him. “Too bad we have somewhere to be.”

“Go to dinner with me tonight?” He spits out abruptly before pressing his lips together tightly, like he’s afraid to hear my answer.

“I’d love to. But I go to bed pretty early since I start baking at four in the morning.”

“Perfect. I start my day around the same time. Maybe if I’m lucky we can start our day together.” He winks at me and takes a pile of boxes out to the car.

Now I don’t want to actually go to this meeting to plan a Valentine’s Day date for other people, I want to be on my own date with Liam.

This time he settles into the driver’s seat forcing me into the passenger’s side of my own car.

“Why don’t you stay at the inn? Not all of the rooms are ready for booking. And it would make it easier for you with the early mornings. It’s what Emma does when she comes home.”

“Whoa there big bad wolf, you already want me to move in with you?” The shock on his face was absolutely worth looking like a crazy girlfriend.

“I mean, not with me…just…a room at the inn.” His white knuckles on the steering wheel give him away.

“That was too easy. I’m joking obviously. But that does sound like a much better idea than waking up extra early to get ready and drive over in the dark. I’ll talk to Gran after the meeting.”

He reaches over the center console of the car, and squeezes my thigh, then leaves his hand. It feels too natural. Too right.

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