Page 97 of A Taste of Trouble

The bakery looked exactly as it had before the fire. Blush pink paint covered the walls, new furniture sat in front of the store window, and a new awning bearing the name Cupcake! hung outside. The only difference was the addition of a second hook in the kitchen, where Jake hung his custom “I'm sweet on the owner” apron when he fulfilled his duties as Chief Stirrer.

“I couldn't have done this without you.” She snuggled into his side. “I think you had every food critic in the GTA show up today.”

“And the ones that couldn't make it—a box of cupcakes was sent to their door.”

“How did you—” Liv's head spun trying to think of an answer to her unfinished question. “The lady who came in a few days ago and bought six boxes?”

“She was my assistant at Weston.”

She smacked his arm.

“Ow! That's what I get for being your publicist? Abuse?”

She lifted onto her toes and laid a soft kiss on his lips.

“Thank you. That's much better.”

She let out a hard breath. No matter how nerve-racking the day had been, tonight was going to be even worse.

“Do you think I should bring these?” She lifted the box toward him.

“He'll love them.”

“Should I go home and change?”

“Liv, you look beautiful.” He grabbed her around the hips and bent his knees to look at her at eye level. “You're glowing, actually, and I'm a little jealous that it wasn't me who gave you that glow.”

Heat spiraled in her belly. “We could always step in the back and make it come true.” She'd postpone evacuating for a tornado if it meant she could have Jake's hard body pressed against, and inside, her own.

“No way! Nice try. We've got to go.”

Her shoulders slumped. “All right.”

After weeks of contemplation, she had finally decided to meet with her father. She couldn't do it alone. She didn't want to do it alone.

“I'm proud of you.”

“Don't be so proud just yet. I'm still capable of throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of the restaurant if he says something I don't like.”

He gave her a stern look as he pulled the door open. The happy jingle filled her ears, a final calming sound before she ventured on a life-changing dinner meeting.

She slid the key into the lock and hesit

ated before she finally turned it and heard the soft click.

“Are you ready?” He held her tight.

As they walked in the night air, Liv settled into the warmth and security of Jake's body.

She had everything she needed. After tonight, maybe even something she'd thought she never wanted.

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