Page 3 of Sugar, Sprinkles, and Secrets
He pumps his fists as he walks out of my office. “Perfect! You’re my favorite, Max. Don’t let Jack tell you otherwise!” Wells calls over his shoulder as he walks down the hall.
Usually, the solution to a problem just seems so obvious to me—unless the situation involves the one woman I can’t get out of my head or heart. I know Cara still has feelings toward me, and I know she still feels the connection when we touch—our chemistry is so strong there is a physical reaction to it.
But I don’t understand why she insists on pushing me away, and until I understand the problem, I can’t find the solution. So, I’ll play by her rules—for now—but I’m not interested in just being her friend, and I intend on playing for keeps.
Chapter three
“Does that actually work, Zia?” Dante asks as I tuck the covers a little tighter around him. I sit back on the edge of his twin-sized bed before glancing over to confirm Mila is out cold. We live in the cozy two-bedroom apartment over my bakery. Their bedroom barely holds the pair of twin beds, a small nightstand between them, and a small dresser they have to share. The kitchen, dining, and living area are all one open space, and there’s a compact bathroom between the two bedrooms that we all share. It’s not much space, but it’s ours and it’s safe—and that’s everything.
“What’s that, little man?” I brush the hair back off his face. He looks so much like my brother it steals my breath sometimes with how much I miss him. Luca is my younger brother, but since Nonna passed, it’s just been the two of us, so I look after him just as much as he looks after me.
“If you make a wish like the girl in that story, does it come true in real life?” Dante gnaws on his lower lip and I’m not sure what’s on his little mind today, so I tread carefully. I’m always cautious to make sure he doesn’t overhear something he shouldn’t, but the kid is too smart, yet another thing that reminds me of his dad.
“Well, I can’t promise it will, but I don’t think it would hurt to try. Why, what would you wish for, little man?” He rolls over to his side and snuggles his stuffed monkey close to his chest. I gave him that toy when he was a baby, and I remember how big it looked next to him back then. I still use the nighttime body wash on them during baths and thelavender notes fill the room. Rubbing my hand up and down his back, I wait for him to spill whatever is on his mind.
“Just miss my papà, you know?” He shrugs and poof. There goes my heart into a thousand little pieces, but I can’t break right now, not in front of my sweet nephew as his eyes fill with tears he’s fighting so hard to hold back. “Maybe if I make a wish on a star and ask Santa, that will help him come back home faster. He misses us too. I know he does.”
“Of course, he absolutely misses you guys. But remember, this isn’t forever, okay? Just sort of feels like forever right now. You’ve been so brave through all of this, and I know that as soon as he can, he will come running back to you, okay?”
“Yeah, but when? It’s been forever, Zia.” It has been a long time. It’s been over a year and a half since I hugged my brother, and while we have the occasional secure phone call, it hasn’t been enough. Sometimes, I think Mila thinks her dad is only a photograph, but at three years old, it’s hard to explain everything, especially when I have to protect them.
“I know, and I miss him too. Let me see what I can do, and maybe we can have a phone call with him soon, okay? I’ll do my best.” I lean over and kiss him goodnight on the forehead. I never appreciated the convenience of being able to just call someone when I wanted to talk to them until that was no longer an option.
“Maybe a video call this time?” I nod in agreement, unable to make any promises. “You’re the best, Zia. Thanks.” Man, this kid.
“Love you, little man, get some sleep, okay?” He closes his eyes while mumbling that he loves me too. I step over to Mila’s bed to adjust her covers and sneak a little kiss on her forehead.
I’m jealous of how easily he and Mila can fall asleep, but I also think that means they feel safe here, which is everything I could hope for.
I walk out and collapse on the couch for just a moment. I know I need to finish a few dishes before I get ready for bed, but I just need this moment of quiet and calm to myself—but soon, I’m thinking about wishing on a star and my subconscious betrays me as the memory rushes back.
“How late do you have a sitter?” Max asks as he tugs me into his lap. Our dinner was so good. I’m still not convinced the man made everything himself, but I didn’t see any carryout containers, and he watched me look for them.
“I told Cami I would be back by ten since we both have early shifts tomorrow.” I love running my bakery, but sometimes the hours suck, especially when it comes to any type of dating or social life in general.
“I saw you looking up at the sky tonight,” Max murmurs between kisses.
“Yeah, I was making a wish on a star.”
“Fascinating. I had my own plans when it comes to stars tonight.” He gently bites my earlobe and a groan escapes me. “Start the clock then, ladies and gentlemen,” Max purrs as he continues to trail kisses up my neck and along my jawline as I tilt my head back to give him better access.
“And what are we timing, Mr. Riley?” My voice is hoarse with need.
“How many times I can make you see stars, baby.” Max slides his hand up to angle my head just how he wants me and presses his forehead to mine. I look into his eyes and the words to express how I feel about this man escape me. We’ve only been dating for a few months, but it feels like our souls somehow recognized each other. “And I’m hoping if I’m successful, I can convince you and the kids to spend New Year’s with me at my cabin.”
I pull back, touched that he knows I would want to be with them for the holiday celebration. “I can already tell you that’s an absolutely from me!”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I’d love to spend New Year’s with you, Max.” Because I think I might be falling in love with you.
“Well then, let’s just consider these stars extra persuasion,” Max says as he spins me off his lap, jumps up off the couch, and bends down to throw me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold.
“Put me down! I can walk!” I laugh as his hold on me tightens.
He playfully slaps my ass as he continues to walk toward his bedroom. “Nope, I’m not letting go, Cara. I play for keeps.”
I wish I could have kept him.
