Page 60 of A Taste of Trouble

The couple walked on to the next display.

“So, why is it so important that you brought me here?”

Photography was a hobby—a meaningful hobby. Every year, with the help of contacts he'd made in the industry, he held an art benefit where all of the funds raised went to Alzheimer's research. It was his way of giving back. His way of trying to prevent someone else from feeling as low as he did when his grandmother died.

He always felt a little uncomfortable calling himself a photographer. But as long as there were people willing to purchase his work, and the work of others, for a good cause, that's all that mattered.

He pointed to the small black plaque underneath the display.

Liv leaned closer and gasped as she read the details. “You did this?” She pulled back and brought her hand to her mouth. “You're a photographer?”

Jake shrugged. “More like a philanthropist.”

“Why not a photographer? You're good.” She looked around again. “Do you have anything else on display?”

“Just this.”

“When did you start this? How? Why?” Her questions flew at him one after the next. She seemed genuinely interested in his story, but Jake's nerves went on high alert. She was asking all the right questions, and he feared his answers would change the dynamic between them.

“Photography's been a hobby of mine my whole life, but I started to focus on it a little more seriously in the last few years.” He walked them over to the next photo.

“So photography is your passion?”

He knew she'd get it. “Just like baking is yours.”

Liv may not be the type of woman who expressed herself with words, but it was through the things she loved that Jake learned everything he needed to know. In her love of books, he learned about her sweet side—her secret sappiness. In her passion for cupcakes, he learned of her motivation and determination to succeed. In meeting her friends, he learned of her loyalty.

“I would love to work PR for a gallery. I'm just buying my time, waiting for the right moment to make a career move.” And Liv was the currency.

“But what about your art? Why not be a photographer?”

“My photos are for a good cause. This isn't about ego for me. I hold a fundraiser every year and all of the proceeds go to charity. For…” If he wanted Liv, he had to open up. “For Alzheimer research.”

She saddened. It was all over her face. So was the question she was dying to ask. “Is there a reason you raise money for Alzheimer's Disease?”

People who pursued awareness for a cause always had the same story when they were asked the ever-important question of why.

“My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's and died when I was a teenager.” Over the years, the hole she had left in his life got smaller, but it would never fully heal.

“Were you really close?”

He nodded. “My grandmother is the one who encouraged my love of photography. I do it in her memory. Still trying to make her proud after all these years.”

“I'm sure she's very proud. You're really talented.”

“Believe it or not, this was my second best talent when I was a kid.” He was already sentimental. Now it was time to get embarrassing.

They walked to the next photo on the wall. Liv hung on to his arm, gently caressing her fingers against his forearm. “What was the first?”

He sighed. “Eating cake.”

Liv burst out laughing then covered her mouth with her hand when people turned to stare. “What?”

“I told you—I had a major sweet tooth when I was a kid. My grandmother would always let me have seconds of dessert.”

“You certainly can't tell now.” She ran her hand up his arm and squeezed his bicep, then rested it on his back. Her eyes grew heavy with desire but she stepped back and scanned the room.

Her distance didn't last long. She returned to him, lifting onto her toes, and pressed her lips into his for a quick, but no less potent, kiss. She looked up and whispered, “Definitely not what I expected.”

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