Page 65 of Simply Irresistible

The server laughs loudly at Charlotte's response. "I like your honesty, missy."

"My mom makes the best pies, muffins, and cakes in the universe."

My heart flutters, hearing Charlotte speaking so proudly about my work. The woman smiles and studies me for a second. One hand is rubbing her chin. "Do you have a baking company?"

I nod.

"Do you have a business card?"

My brows raise at her question. "Uh… Yes, I think I have one with me. But I'll need my purse to find it." I bend down to get it, but Nick stops me.

"Wait, don't bother. I have one right here." I watch how he grabs his wallet, pulls out my business card, and holds it out to the woman. She takes it, and when she reads it, her lips curl.

"This is great," she says while waving my card in the air. "The baker I used to order from, retired, so I'm looking for another one. My regular customers love pie and sweets, so I need to find someone who's good." Her eyes find mine. "Would you be willing to come by or send me an assortment of your pastries so I can try them?"

"Sure. Are you the owner of this restaurant?" I ask, while taking in her appearance. She's wearing an apron with the company name, a black knee-length skirt with a red button blouse on top, and comfortable flat shoes. Her brown hair is in a messy bun and shows gray hair. Her skin wrinkles as she smiles and answers my question.

"Yes, honey, I am. And you're wondering why an owner is walking around in a server outfit?" she says, pointing to her uniform.

"Two of my employees called in sick, so I have different roles to play today. And by wearing this outfit, I also get an honest response from customers that come here for the first time. When people know they're talking to the boss, they act differently."

Nick laughs. "That's smart, miss...?"

"Oh, I haven't mentioned my name?” She holds out her hand. “I’m Clair Billings."

I shake it. "I'm Emma Campbell. And this is my daughter Charlotte,” I say while pointing to my left side. My girl waves at Clair, and she waves back. Then I turn my attention to my right, and when I open my mouth, my brain gets stuck on what to call Nick. I choose the first thing that comes to mind. "And this is my friend Nick."

I notice Nick's mouth twists as he hears this. Clair's brows lift as she gives Nick a hand, and her eyes dart between Nick and me. "Oh, I'm so sorry for presuming you were husband and wife," she says with an apologetic smile. "You two looked so perfect together, and that little girl has the same magnetic smile as you." she comments, glancing at Nick.

Charlotte walks and stands next to Nick. Then she peeks at Clair. "So you believed he was my daddy?"

Clair swallows at my girl's direct question. "Um... yes, I did, sweetie."

Charlotte turns, and her eyes scan Nick's face as if she is taking in every part of him. "Okay." She shrugs with a mysterious smile and walks back to her place next to me.

What was that look?

Clair pulls something out of a pocket of her apron and hands it to me. "This is my card with my number. Please call me if you're interested."

I get the card and read it—Clair's Diner. "Thank you, Clair. I'll give you a ring."

"That's fine, hon." When new customers arrive, she walks over to them.

After Charlotte munches up the muffin, Nick pays the bill, and after saying goodbye, we leave and drive to my house. Stepping through the back door into the kitchen, I put the backpack on the counter. "Giant, I have a surprise for you," Charlotte says as she jumps around the kitchen.

"What, for me?"

"Yes," she says with a giggle. "Wait here, don't leave."

Nick raises his hand. "I promise."

"I'll be right back," she shouts while running through the hallway.

"She's up to something," he says while walking over to me.

"Oh, I agree with that," I say with a chuckle. After I unpack the backpack, Nicks stops behind me and places one of his hands on my hip while the other one scoops my dark hair to one side. I let out a little sigh when the warmth of his breath lingers above my sensitive skin. In slow motion, his hot lips descend onto my skin, giving me delicious shivers.

"Have I told you I missed you? I missed your smell, and I missed how you react to my touch,” he says in a husky tone. I let out a soft moan when his mouth travels up to that sweet spot beneath my ear while his arms wrap around my waist.

Suddenly, Charlotte's voice fills the kitchen. "What are you two doing?"

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