Page 6 of Gingerbread Hearts

A sprinkle of a person indeed.

I smile at my best friend as she sips on her coffee, tapping her foot in anticipation.

“Okay, I can’t take it anymore Vi.” She practically slams her coffee on the table. With her hands on her hips she continues, “I need all the details. What did he wear? Did you keep your promise and not wear tights? Did you have dessert? Or were you the dessert?”

I’m amazed she asked so much without taking a breath. I can’t help but laugh.

“Wow. Okay. He wore slacks and a button down, very casual businessman attire. I didn’t wear tights and I was absolutely freezing. We skipped dessert completely.”

“Completely?” Bethany asked while looking around the empty bakery. “No naked tango?” Narrowing her eyes, she’s questioning my honest recap of the date.

“No, just one extremely hot kiss and a promise of a second date. He was a gentleman. Besides, if it was anything it’d just be a fling.”

“Oh Vi.” She pats my shoulder as her tone shifts from playful to serious. “You deserve more than just a fling.” She means well, but not everyone is cut out for soulmates and the whole ‘til death do we part aspect of love.

“Thanks Bethany,” I reply to avoid explaining for the millionth time I just can’t do the committed relationship thing again. I am my own person and will not sculpt and form my life to fit perfectly into another’s dream life.

With that Bethany takes her coffee and starts her opening tasks while I head back to the kitchen to tackle the holiday orders. Time seemingly flies by in a whirl of oven timers, rolling out dough, and a rainbow of frosting.

Sometime later I’m pulled to the frontside of the bakery, with a casually dressed Jake standing near the counter. How can someone look so good in jeans?

Nervous, butterflies in my stomach, I try to smooth out my hair. No way to know how much flour is covering my face. I plaster a hopefully sultry smile and approach him. His dark green sweater is holiday in fabric, and I bet it’s cashmere, it looks exactly like something you’d want to wrap around yourself.

If only he’d wrap those muscular arms around me.

“Good morning, Violet,” his voice pulls me out of my daydreams. “I thought I’d stop by for some coffee and more of that exquisite view that comes with the café.”

“I could join you for a cup, if you have the time.”

Please say yes.

“For you, of course,” he replies with a wink and gestures to a small table by the front. It’s a small town, and with a bunch of regulars in the shop. Before Jake even gets home his grandmother is already going to know about this. Whether he wants her to or not, it’ll make its way through the town.

“How are you enjoying your time here?” I ask as I sip on my coffee.

Glancing out the window at the light snow flurry. The tiny snowflakes catching the sun, glimmering as they twirl about in the wind. Snow in December? A quintessential part of living in Maine.

“It’s different. Everything is slower, quieter, and more beautiful,” he replies. His piercing hazel eyes staring directly into mine.

How does he know exactly what to say to make my heart race?

I look away quickly before replying, wiping my hands on my jacket.

“Think of Kastle Harbor as if it’s one of those romantic Christmas towns you see in chick flicks,” I tell him as I gaze out at the snow collecting on the sidewalks. When I look back, he’s smiling.

“It’s definitely interesting.” His voice is like warm cup of tea, soothing and full of pleasure. “Would you like to go out again tonight?”

“Two nights in a row? I don’t know if my sleep schedule could handle that,” I chuckle. “You know I get up at three in the morning most days, right?”

“Damn.” He grimaces. “Although, we could pull an all-nighter if you’re interested.” I know my pulse is rapidly increasing with every breath.

Keep your cool.

It’s just a pick-up line.

You’re only interested in a holiday fling.

All the mantras in the world can’t dim how much I want to feel his bare chest against mine. To have the heat of his body cover me. To feel his lips on more than just my mouth.

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