Page 69 of Booked on a Feeling

“Sexandcupcakes in one afternoon?” A lazy smile spread across his face as he imagined eating chocolate frosting off her navel.

“I know. How very hedonistic of me.” She sounded quite pleased with herself.

He threw off the covers and got to his feet. If he lingered, he’d never leave Lizzy’s bed. “Let’s go, then.”

“Are we going to Comfort Zone?” She bolted up from the bed and grabbed her clothes off the floor.

“Where else?” He pushed his arms through his T-shirt.

“Oh, my gosh. If Aubrey could make a muffin taste like heaven, I can’t even imagine what her cupcakes are like.”

“Foodgasmic,” he described succinctly. Aubrey’s desserts were sinfully good, and he couldn’t wait for Lizzy to try them.

They parked in Comfort Zone’s back lot and followed the tantalizing scent of something buttery and sweet into the store. It was crowded with locals as usual, giving it the perfect amountof bustling energy. He led Lizzy up to the display case and gave her time to gawk.

“You should’ve brought me here the moment I set foot in Weldon,” she admonished while her eyes stayed glued to the array of desserts.

“How could I?” He chuckled. “You wouldn’t even give me a lunch break.”

“Whatever.” She stuck out her tongue at him. “All because of you, I have less than two weeks to enjoy this heavenly oasis.”

“Man, if this is your reaction now, I’m afraid of what you’ll do after you actually taste some of those.” He kept up the banter even though a knot of dread had formed in his chest.Less than two weeks.“Remember all our years of friendship before you do anything rash.”

“Just hope that I’ll be too busy foodgasming to notice your existence.”

“I know exactly which one you have to eat, then.” He turned to the server behind the counter. “Can you start us off with a slice of the black sesame and white chocolate cake? She’ll be ordering the rest.”

After they finished ordering, they settled into a plush, diner-style booth. Lizzy’s eyes were still wide as she glanced around the bakery.

“This is kind of how I imagined Sparrow would feel like once we’re finished,” she said with a soft smile playing around her lips. “Not just a store but somewhere the community could gather together and be happy.”

“I think we’re getting there with Sparrow.” He looked around Comfort Zone to see it from Lizzy’s perspective. “We just need to get the word out.”

“Shannon has social media on her to-do list,” she said.

“Social media is important, but I was thinking something more immediate—local.” He rested his chin on his fist and tapped the table with his fingers.

“The book club is a good start.” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Her adorable thinking face. He could hear her brain whirring.Wait for it… Wait for it…Her eyes widened, and she snapped her fingers. “Events. Shannon needs to host events.”

And there it was—and it was brilliant—but there was more, so he waited.

“Events that mean something to the community… about things that make Weldon special…” She slapped her palms flat on the table, and a slow grin spread across her face.

“Well? What is it?” he prompted.

She had a flare for the dramatic. It was part of what made her an effective trial attorney. He was literally sitting on the edge of his seat.

“Dessert and beer pairing.” She pantomimed dropping the mic. “Highlight two of Weldon’s beloved small businesses in a fun new way.”

He laughed and fist-bumped her. What he really wanted to do was kiss the smarty-pants. Well, why the hell shouldn’t he? As he lifted his ass to lean in for a kiss, plate after plate of desserts appeared on the table. He settled back on his seat and turned to find Aubrey standing by their booth, smiling ear to ear.

“Hi, Jack.” Aubrey was barely holding back a squeal. Damn it. Tara must have told her about Lizzy. “So…”

“What?” he said like a grouch. He didn’t mind that she knew, but she had awful timing. He could almost taste the kiss he had to postpone.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Aubrey pushed onto her toes, then dropped back down.

He shook his head and smiled wryly. Aubrey was like a little sister to him, and she was obviously happy to see him with someone. He couldn’t stay annoyed at her, bad timing or not.

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