Page 39 of Love Me Sweet

CHAPTERELEVEN

By the time Friday rolled around, Andrew realized he was no closer to cracking the mystery that was Sylvie Thorne than he’d been when his plane had landed in Jackson Hole. The one thing he’d learned was she had incredible stamina.

After a couple of days of getting up at three, he’d been ready to tell her to go ahead without him. He could sleep in and they could be together after she’d made her deliveries. Pride wouldn’t let him take that easy way out.

Andrew had to admit the woman had a strong work ethic. And she truly had a knack for baking. Her real love definitely was cakes. The more leeway she was given in the creation, the more she appeared to enjoy the process.

So, in a way hehadcome to know her a little better. Her remark about expecting things that were going good to turn bad still nagged at him. As he pushed the door open and stepped into Hill of Beans, he found himself trying to put the puzzle pieces together in his head.

She was with her friend, Josie now. The wedding was in two weeks and the bridesmaids were getting together with the bride-to-be for lunch at MK Fisher’s house. Someone named Lexie Delacourt was responsible for the food, but Sylvie had insisted on making the cake.

Early in the week, she’d fretted—there was no other word for it—over the design. She wanted it to be something light and fun that would reflect Noah and Josie’s courtship. Andrew had chuckled when he’d seen the finished product.

Apparently, Josie had once mentioned she loved flamingos. The result was a flamingo-inspired cake complete with the bird on top wearing a tiny veil.

After making the deliveries, they’d gone back to the house so she could get ready for the party. Andrew’s mother had been very social and he couldn’t count the number of society luncheons she’d attended.

He’d been unable to hide his surprise when Sylvie had come out of her bedroom—the room right next to his—wearing a straight skirt and simple, sleeveless top. No pearls or other jewelry. No heels.

Though he didn’t say a word she could now read his expressions with pinpoint accuracy. She smiled. “This isn’t Boston.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He forced an innocent look, that, of course, didn’t fool her.

“The instant you saw me, you were thinking this would not be appropriate in Boston.”

How could he deny it? Besides they had promised to keep it honest. “My mother and even my sister, always looked like they were going to a fashion show.”

“That’s the great thing about life in Wyoming.” Sylvie glanced at her phone, then had sat down, apparently deciding she had some time to kill. “It’s more relaxed. Mitzi will be there. She’s as likely to show up in a pair of skinny jeans as a dress. Cassidy Duggan, you may have seen her at the barbecue, well, you never know what she’s going to show up wearing.”

The smile that lifted Sylvie’s lips eased some of Andrew’s worry. He always thought she looked beautiful, he just hadn’t wanted her to feel awkward.

“I’m a part of this community,” she said.

“In a way you never were in Boston.”

He half-expected her to disagree, though he knew if she did it would be a lie. The few events they’d attended together, he’d sensed her unease. Though, at least in his earshot, everyone had been friendly and polite, she’d been an outsider in a social circle that prized connections. Not only hadn’t she attended Miss Porter’s or gone on to Mt. Holyoke, her family had zero social standing.

Even her award-winning cake designs weren’t something that was readily admired. He couldn’t imagine any of the Beacon Hill matrons serving a cake with a skull or a flamingo.

“I need to dash.”

Andrew didn’t know what to think when she leaned over and brushed a kiss across his cheek, before leaving.

He could have stayed home, but after a half-hour decided to get out and go…somewhere. Andrew ended up at Hill of Beans.

If his friends in Boston could see him now, spending time in a coffee shop with yellow stars in the window.

Even as the thought made his lips quirk up, he lifted a hand in greeting to Cole Lassiter. Yes, his friends would be shocked to see how he was spending the last weeks before assuming the COO position at O’Shea Sports.

They’d never understood why he’d gone to medical school, why he’d practiced medicine instead of moving up the ranks at the family company. Especially after his brother, who’d been groomed for that top spot, had been killed in a car accident.

Andrew pulled his thoughts back to the present. As he stepped to the counter, he eyed the bake case, pleased to see that Cole’s customers had made a visible dent in the baked goods he and Sylvie had dropped off that morning.

“In the mood for some lunch or is it just coffee today?” Cole asked.

“I’ll have a—” Andrew studied the menu board, “—chicken salad on wheat.”

“I’ll get it for him.” Amber smiled at Andrew, then turned toward the back counter.

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