Page 13 of Beautiful Crazy

“Good morning, Emmett.” I let my eyes adjust to the lights before I step further into the kitchen to grab a coffee mug, but he’s already beat me to it.

“Her day starts with coffee and will probably end with wine. Here you go. One sugar, one cream.”

“Uh, thanks,” I mumble as he hands me my cup of rise and shine. “Why are you up earlier than usual?”

He shakes his head. “No real reason. My body just decided to be awake, so I got up and decided I wanted Mom’s pancakes for breakfast before I left for work. And it’s Friday. And I know they’re your favorite, so I didn’t think you would mind.”

An excited grin spreads across my face. “Mind? Are you kidding? I am here for this! Bring on the deliciousness. What can I help you with?”

He gestures to the cabinets beside him. “Can you grab silverware and a couple plates? This is just about done.”

I inhale slowly, appreciating the baked apple scent permeating the air. “God, I must be dreaming. It smells way too good in here. It’s orgasmic.”

Emmett drops his spatula on the floor. “Shit. Sorry.” He picks it up and throws it in the sink and then grabs another one from the crock in front of him. “Uh…” He chuckles. “I didn’t know apple pancakes were an aphrodisiac for you.”

“Did you know certain aromas can help you achieve more intense orgasms?”

“I’m certain I’ve heard that somewhere before. Makes sense. So, you’re saying it’s cinnamon apples for you?”

I smile back at him, feeling more awake now as our conversation continues. “No not really. They just smell really good.”

“Ah.”

“Although.” I spin around with a finger in the air. “One of the authors I assist wrote a book that, believe it or not, included a steamy scene with cinnamon apple syrup, and it was H.O.T. hot!”

Emmett’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh yeah? I might have to read this author. Maybe she can give me some pointers.”

“I mean, if guys spent more time reading romance books like the ones I help market, they would certainly gain a few thousand great pointers.”

“Guess my next paycheck goes to Amazon then.” Emmett plates a few pancakes for each of us and then drizzles them with a spoonful of crushed baked apples swimming in cinnamon syrup.

“Food porn at its finest. Thank you, Emmett.”

“Only the best for you, Em.” He kisses me on the top of my head as he always does. “Dig in.”

I cut a piece of pancake off the stack on my plate and take a bite, closing my eyes to savor the glorious taste. “Mmm oh, my God, Emmett.”

He sits down next to me with his own plate and passes me a conscious wink. “I know. You’re welcome.” He takes his own bite and gestures to me with his fork. “So, what’s on tap for you today?”

“Same as any other day, I guess. I have some ads to work on for Capriana’s new book series and a few new social media posts to make for the Sweet-Stars account. Oh, my gosh, their new baby blanket material patterns are so darling. That company is definitely going places. And then after that I’ll be working a little more on that singles event for The Watering Hole. Oh, and I should probably check in with Lacey and see how her YouTube video planning is coming.”

“So, book marketing, product marketing, event marketing, and a video series.” Emmett ticks off each thing on his fingers.

I nod, smiling. “Yep. Never a dull day, right? What will you be working on today?”

“Oh, uh, I think I have a conference call with that dog food company about a rebranding and then I have meetings today with three potential clients.”

“How cool are we, huh?” I ask Emmett. “To have jobs that aren’t the same every day and also ones that allow us to be creative.”

“You know Jane would still bend over backwards for you if you wanted a position with the company. We could drive together to work every day. Or have lunch together or even collaborate on the same project.”

I swallow another bite of pancake while shaking my head. “No way. You would get sick of me eventually.”

He shakes his head. “Why would you think that?”

“Because it’s what happens. People think I’m this fun girl, whimsical and fancy free, but eventually they get tired of me, or they find me annoying and I’m right back where I started.” I shrug. “I get it. I’m not for everyone.”

He lowers his fork. “And so, by that reasoning, you think you’re not for me?” For a moment my eyes meet his and there’s a tightness in my chest.

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