Page 77 of Sunshine

Talia waved at me to join them. “Sunshine, you’re here.”

Aine waved one flour-covered hand. “Nice to see you again.”

“You too.”

“You can chitchat later,” Talia said as she grabbed my arm, nearly bouncing. “I want to show you my latest creation.”

When she dragged into the kitchen, my senses were hit with the scent of cocoa and citrus and… alcohol?

Talia spread her hands out with a manic gleam. “I’ve been baking for days. We’re going to start offering bachelorette packages.”

I scanned the cupcakes. The flavors were all some sort of combo with alcohol. Black Cherry Kirsch, Mimosa with champagne and orange, and Pina Colada cupcake that smelled so much like Julian I expected him to be in the room with me. Maybe I could get Logan to make us Pina Colada torte and then we could eat it off Julian’s stomach.

A flash of heat went through me before I forced my focus back to Talia’s creations.

Talia cut pieces of each one for me to sample. The Salted Caramel Rum flavor was delicious, but there were a few flavors I didn’t get, particularly the Mint Julep. It was too minty, and yet also somehow too sweet.

“These are fantastic.” I smiled at Talia.

“I know, right?” She gestured at the stainless-steel counter covered in chocolate and mint leaves. “It’s going to be a big hit. Let me know if you have any wedding events coming up soon, and I’ll add some boxes of cupcakes for free, as a friend perk.”

Unease fluttered through me. Once again, Talia was trying to connect her business with Cosmic Bonds. Plus, I didn’t have the power or authority to officially sponsor her cupcakes.

“What?” Talia’s face fell. I must have shown my dismay…and now I felt guilty. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, taking the coward’s way out. “I just have a headache. I’ve been slammed the last few days.”

Slammed at work and also by Pack Kahele, the dirty voice in my mind whispered.

“Awww.” Talia offered me a chair. “Sit down. I’ll get you some water, and something to eat.”

“Thanks,” I said, now feeling like a jerk.

Talia made us some bagels and sat down with me. “Did you get Mrs. Cullen’s account? I know you’ve been stressed about that.”

“I did,” I smiled, joy bubbling over again. “I was so scared she wasn’t going to understand what I was trying to do.”

Talia bumped my shoulder. “Give yourself more credit, Sunshine. You’re brilliant. You take boring, everyday charity events and find something special to focus on.”

I sighed. “I keep feeling like I have to do better each time.”

“You don’t,” Talia said. “You’re trying to give each client an amazing party that matches their vision. That doesn’t always mean something huge and over the top.”

“True.” I licked some cream cheese off my finger. “It just feels like it’s all going to come crashing down. Everything is perfect right now, but…” I shook my head

“Everything is perfect, but it can also get better.” Talia nudged me. “If you’re feeling this on top of the world, you should make a move on Julian. No time like the present.”

“Yeah…” I felt my cheeks warm up. “About that…”

“Youdidn’t!” Talia squealed.

“Ididn’t,” I said, grinning. “Juliandid though. I’m officially dating Pack Kahele.”

Talia squealed louder as she jumped up and down, clapping her hands together. “I told you they like you.”

“Yes, yes, you’re always right.” I laughed. “They were trying to wait for me to be ready for dating.”

“And?” Talia waggled her eyebrows as she sat back down. “What changed?”

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