Page 25 of Falling for You
CHAPTER 7
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Following her new trendof surprising people, CeCe called off work at the diner. It was one of the few times she’d ever missed a shift with Max, which seemed to floor him. “Is everything all right?” he asked, concern etched into his voice.
CeCe balanced on the edge of her kitchen counter, a mug of coffee in her free hand. “If it’s a problem, I’ll come in.”
“No! Not at all. I’m a little worried to be honest. You’ve hardly missed a shift in the years we’ve known each other. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Max’s compassion and concern for CeCe shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did. Despite being partners at the diner, she wasn’t used to people caring about her outside the kitchen. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Last night had proved someone else was concerned about her, but she wasn’t about to start that conversation with Max. Not now anyway. She was falling for Evan, and that revelation required a lot more thought. It also required a day to herself to pick up the pieces and overanalyze everything. Everything from that kiss to that damn song. A song she’s not too proud to admit she’d listen to on repeat for an hour before falling asleep.
Sipping from her coffee, CeCe replied, “I’m fine. Just realized a day to myself is in order. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to work on those wedding candies some more. I feel like the vanilla ratio is a little off.”
Max chuckled into the phone. “You baking my wedding favors isn’t exactly a relaxing day off,” he chided. “But I also know you, so I won’t push the issue. Take the day and let me know if you need tomorrow. Helen and Evan are here, and Ginny can always help with the dinner rush after work.”
“Thanks, Max. I really appreciate it.”
CeCe disconnected the call and plodded to her pantry, pulling out the ingredients for candy making. Deep down, she knew the candies were fine as they were. There was a feeling of unease inside her, and the steady process of melting sugar and whipping it into delicate confections calmed her.
Last night with Evan had been a pleasant surprise. She had a good time; she rarely wasn’t smiling in Evan’s company, but it was something else. She felt safe with him. When those silly girls were fawning over him, she really did trust him. This wasn’t like how Eric treated her; she truly believed that Evan only had eyes for her. And while that should have calmed her, it made her uneasy. Yet she couldn’t deny she felt cared for with him, like an anchor was holding her still, but not in a confining way.
Then there was the kiss. No kiss had curled her toes like Evan’s had. She wasn’t sure what his dating history was, but the man could kiss. Man. That’s what Evan was, wasn’t he? A red-blooded man who had knocked her back on her heels with his patience and respect. God, she’d be a fool to mess this up.
As CeCe poured sugar into a measuring cup, she heard a loud knock at the front door. Tiptoeing to answer it, she saw a familiar silhouette and stifled a groan. Opening the door for her friend, Natalie brushed past CeCe and headed straight for the kitchen. “You don’t seem surprised to see me,” Natalie said in greeting.
CeCe walked to the coffee pot and poured Natalie a cup while she moved her candy prep work to the side. Easing onto a stool, CeCe settled in for the impending interrogation. “Let me guess. You got to work and Ginny told you I called off today. Am I right?”
Natalie waved a manicured hand in the air. “News travels fast in Buckeye Falls. It’s the only downside of living in a small town. The whole place knows your business.” She took her coffee and slurped a greedy sip. “So? Spill it, sister. What’s going on?”
Knowing Natalie as well as she did, CeCe had two choices. First, play coy and feign exhaustion until Natalie tired of asking questions. Second, go straight for honesty and let the chips fall. Whether it was the extra caffeine or a feeling of contentment, CeCe wasn’t sure. What she did know was she wasn’t ashamed of her kiss with Evan. Plus, Natalie was like a bloodhound on the hunt. She’d pick up the scent sooner or later and drive CeCe bananas.
“I kissed Evan. Twice. We went out on a proper date last night, but that wasn’t the first kiss. He sang John Legend to me, told me he likes my breasts, said the age thing isn’t a big deal, and now I’m hiding like a lovesick moron. And I’m thinking about entering the food truck competition.” CeCe didn’t realize that was how she felt about the competition until the words were out of her mouth. Yet, it seemed to free her, this revelation. She really did want to compete, and she really wanted Evan by her side when she did.
A muscle twitched in Natalie’s temple as CeCe’s news sunk in. Slowly, Natalie lowered her coffee mug and blinked rapidly. Her false eyelashes fluttered at warp speed, sending a whooshing sound around them. “I’m sorry. What?”
CeCe threw her head back and laughed. “Wow. I was expecting a little more than that.”
Natalie shook her head and finally found her words; her brain short-circuited. “You’re right. It’s just, wow. I’m literally at a loss for words.”
At the same time, they both said, “For once.”
They laughed and Natalie reached out for CeCe’s hand. “Stating the obvious, I like your breasts, too.” She snickered as she reached out and poked CeCe in the side, causing her to giggle like the Pillsbury Doughboy. “And if Evan doesn’t mind that you’re a whopping five years older, then drop it.”
