Baked With Love

by Tina Martin

  “Actually you are,” he said wiping his mouth with a white napkin.

  “No way.”

  “Way. Other women may think it, but they’ve never come out and just said it, like you.”

  “Oh. Maybe I should’ve just kept my mouth closed, then.”

  “No. Your honesty is refreshing. What else don’t you like about me?”

  She giggled. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

  “You certainly didn’t say that you did.”

  “I know…I guess what I’m saying is, it’s a lot easier for me not to be around you. I’m not used to this much attention from a man.”

  “Now that I don’t believe. You mean to tell me men don’t try to get your attention?”

  She smiled. “I’m flattered, Ramsey. Really. But take a good look at me. Have you ever heard the expression ‘hot mess’?”

  He grinned. “I have.”

  “Well, that’s me. I’m a mess. This is what I look like six days a week.”

  Staring at her, he couldn’t see her point. There was something there…something that he could almost feel deep within her that made her the sweet, beautiful woman he wanted to know.

  “Ramsey?”

  He blinked. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. But, as I was saying…you can’t convince me that men don’t try to come on to you.”

  “They do. Men come in here all the time—handsome men, businessmen, blue collar workers—but none of them has ever made me as anxious and nervous as you make me.”

  A curious glow shone in his eyes. “Why do you think that is?”

  Gianna shrugged. “I’m not sure.” She glanced up at him, catching the straight line of his nose and his perfectly shaped mustache before looking back down at her plate.

  “So, that’s why you won’t go out to dinner with me?”

  “Yes. Part of it.”

  “What’s the other part?” he probed, closing his takeout container.

  “I have obligations.”

  “The bakery?”

  “Yes, and more.”

  “Like what?” he asked and didn’t care if she heard the desperation in his voice. “Do you have children?”

  Gianna snorted then covered her mouth with her hand while she laughed.

  Ramsey’s gaze narrowed. “No?”

  “Definitely not,” she said, amused. “You have to have sex to have children and I’ve never—” Her voice faded, and she stopped speaking when she realized she’d said too much.

  Ramsey frowned not believing what she said, or was about to say, but why would she have a reason to lie about it? “So, no children?”

  “No. No children,” she said, although Gemma felt like a child at times. She’d been taking care of her for as long as she could remember.

  “Then what other obligations do you have? Your sister?”

  Gianna grimaced. Was he reading her thoughts or what? He was staring hard enough to be able to.

  Ramsey knew he’d hit a nerve. Something was up with her sister. He wanted to know what it was. “Gianna?”

  “Um…it’s personal.” Diverting, she said, “I don’t understand why you want to have dinner with me. And I don’t get why you’re here like you have nothing better to do with your time.”

  “I own my own business. I decide how I spend my time. Right now, I’m spending it with you.”

  “Why?” she asked then nervously chewed on her bottom lip.

  His eyes settled there and he couldn’t help but wonder if those lips had ever been kissed. If they felt as soft as they looked. Forcing his gaze away from her lips to her eyes, he responded, “Because I find you interesting, Gianna.”

  Gianna shook her head. “I’m not all that interesting. I bake cupcakes. Nothing about that is proprietary and definitely isn’t appealing enough to interest an architect who owns and operates a million-dollar company.”

  Ramsey’s narrowed gaze turned into a glare. He just wasn’t accustomed to being talked to this way, but she could get away with it. And he did owe her an explanation so he said, “Okay. I’m here because there’s something about you—some force pulling me to you for some reason.”

  Gianna lifted a brow. “Say what?”

  Explaining further, he said, “From the moment I met you yesterday, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I wasn’t supposed to walk into this bakery, but on my way to a property, I drove here, parked out front and walked right into your bakery. Now, usually I would just run through the drive-thru at the Starbucks down the street for coffee, but I came here, parked and got out.”

  “You must’ve come to the boardwalk for a specific reason.”

  “No, I didn’t. That’s what I’m trying to explain to you. When I stepped out of my car, I saw the coffee sign on your window, so I came inside and a feeling came over me. I saw you on the phone and when you turned around, when my eyes connected with yours, that feeling intensified.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense. You don’t believe the universe has a way of making sure certain people connect?”

  “Yes. It’s called Facebook.” She grinned.

  Smiling, he said, “You know what I mean.”

  “I do know what you mean, but uh—” Gianna stammered, not knowing how to answer his question. If the universe did have a way of making sure people connected why was it him being connected with her?

  “Well, I do. I’m here for a reason. I want to find out what that reason is, Gianna.”

  “I—I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”

  “A lil’ bit,” she admitted, cracking a small smile. “Um, wow. Okay.” She stood up. “I have to get this place cleaned up so—”

  “I’ll help you,” he said standing, gathering their food trays and napkins. “What do you need me to do?”

  She smiled. “Ramsey, I can handle this. I do this every day.”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “Okay, since you insist…can you flip the sign on the front door to Closed and lock the door for me?”

  “Sure.”

  While he handled that task, she took their trash and disposed of it in the garbage can in the back.

  She checked the ovens, making sure they were turned off. She wiped down the counters and took the dishes from the dishwasher. Holding a pot in her hand, she turned around to see Ramsey standing immediately behind her. The pot slipped from her grasp and he caught it before it hit the floor.

  “How long were you standing there?” she asked, her heart beating out of control.

  “For a few minutes.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Because I like watching you work. Where does this pot go?”

  Gianna pointed to the hook on the wall.

  Ramsey hung it there, then looked at her. “I don’t like you being so nervous around me.”

  “I don’t know you that well.”

  “And you won’t get to know me if you refuse to talk to me,” he told her.

  “We just had an hour-long conversation.”

  “Yes, but I need more time with you.”

  “More? I don’t have time for anything more.”

  “What do you want me to do, sweet thang? Beg?”

  She grinned knowing he got the ‘sweet thang’ nickname from Jerry. “You look like the kind of man who doesn’t have to beg for anything.”

  “You’re right, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

  Gianna shook her head.

  “Have dinner with me tomorrow night, Gianna, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  She chewed on her lip again.

  “Say yes,” he whispered, his sable eyes fixated on her mouth.

  “Okay,” she said. “Yes.”

  “You’re not just saying that to get rid of me, are you?”

  She smiled. “No. We can have dinner tomorrow.”

  “Good.” He took out his wallet and removed
two one-hundred dollar bills, placing it in her hand. “This should cover the box of cupcakes you dropped.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary, Ramsey,” she said, handing it back to him.

  “It is. You’re running a business, and since it was my fault you dropped the box, I owe you.”

  “But—”

  “I’m not taking it back,” he cut her off to say.

  “Okay,” she said, sliding the bills in the front right pocket of her pants. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Is there anything else you need to do before leaving?”

  “Yes. I need to sweep and mop the floors.”

  “How about I sweep and you mop?”

  Gianna smiled. “You’re going to sweep?”

  “Yes. I know how to sweep.”

  “I don’t doubt that. You just look like the kind of man who doesn’t sweep.”

  “I don’t, usually, but I’ll make an exception for you. Now, do we have a deal?”

  “Deal.”

  Ramsey took the broom and dust pan to the front and when he was done, Gianna mopped the area.

  After sweeping the kitchen, Ramsey took it upon himself to take out the garbage while Gianna finished mopping.

  “Is that all, boss?” he asked jokingly.

  “Yes. That’s all. You can exit out the back with me and walk around the corner to your car.”

  “That’s fine. In fact, I’d prefer to walk you to your car.” He headed for the door and opened it, allowing her to exit first.

  Once he was outside, Gianna locked the rear door and made sure it was secure.

  “Where are you off to now?” he asked, sliding his thumb inside the pockets of his jeans.

  “I’m going home. What about you?”

  “I’ll probably swing by my brother’s place.”

  Her eyes lit up. “You have a brother?”

  “I have three brothers, actually.”

  “Older or younger?”

  He smiled. “See, this is why we need to see each other again. You want to know more about me, too. I don’t know why you were trying to front like you won’t feelin’ me.”

  She felt blood rush to her cheeks. “I just asked a simple question.”

  “They’re all younger than me,” he said, answering her question. “What about your sister? Older or younger?”

  “She’s younger.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Gemma.”

  “Gianna and Gemma,” he said. “Sounds like a pair of troublemakers.”

  She smiled. “We’re everything but—” she responded, looking down at her shoes feeling somewhat embarrassed by the ability he had to make her blush so hard. “What about your brothers? What are their names?”

  “I’ll tell you when we’re at dinner.”

  Her mouth fell open. “No fair.”

  “It is fair. It was like pulling teeth to get you to say yes to dinner. Now, we have something to talk about when we get there, you know, so it’s not awkward for you.”

  “I guess,” she said.

  “I need your number,” he said, handing her his phone. “Key it in for me, please.”

  She did and pressed send afterward. Then her phone rang. “There you go.”

  When she handed him his phone back, Ramsey saved her number under ‘Cupcake’ in his contacts, smiling after he did so. “I probably won’t get a chance to come by here tomorrow. I have a thing with the folks, so—”

  “Oh. No need to explain.”

  “It probably comes as a relief to you anyway, huh?”

  She grinned. “Yes. It does.”

  He laughed at her honesty.

  “Anyway, I have to get going now. Thanks for your help today, Ramsey.”

  “Anytime, Gianna.”

  They stood facing each other awkwardly for a few seconds until Gianna turned away to unlock her car door.

  Ramsey reached around her to grasp the handle, opening it for her. “I’ll call you later,” he said.

  “Okay,” she replied as she sat down.

  “When I do, I want you to answer.”

  She smiled harder. “I will.”

  “Promise me.”

  “What?” she asked, looking up at him.

  “You seem like a woman of your word. Promise me.”

  “O-kay. I promise. I will answer the phone when you call.”

  “Alright. Drive safe.” Ramsey finally closed the door, then watched her start the SUV and drive away.

  Chapter 7

  Ramsey pulled up at Regal’s house. He got out of his car, jogged up the front steps and pressed the doorbell expecting Regal’s housekeeper, Primrose – a black woman in her late fifties – to answer the door. Primrose wasn’t a live-in housekeeper like Carson was a live-in personal assistant. Regal hired her for the chore side of maintaining his home than anything else. She didn’t cook and rarely ran errands. Her job was to make sure the house was clean and tidy.

  When the door slowly opened, it revealed the heavyset woman standing there with a dust cloth in her hand.

  “Hi, Primrose.”

  “Hey there, Ramsey.”

  “Is my big head brother here?”

  Primrose grinned. “Yes. Come on in. He’s in the dining room eating dinner.”

  “Don’t tell me Regal tried his hand in the kitchen,” Ramsey quipped.

  “Honey, if you catch Regal in the kitchen, let me know so I can document it,” Primrose said.

  Ramsey chuckled.

  “I actually picked up some chicken with all the fixings earlier,” Primrose went on to say. “I just warmed him up a plate full. He came back from Paris extra hungry. I can whip you up a plate if you would like.”

  “No, thanks. I’ve already had dinner.” Ramsey continued on inside to the dining room, watching as Regal sat alone at the eighteen-chair, massive dining room table all alone. “Hey. What’s up, Ram?”

  Regal fist bumped with his brother. “I thought that was you ringing my doorbell at dinner time. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing much.”

  “Uh huh…nothing much, but your face says otherwise.”

  “My face ain’t saying nothing.” Ramsey pulled out a chair directly across from where Regal sat. He flopped down and sighed.

  “I take it you’re here to talk about the Paris deal, then,” Regal mumbled after biting into a biscuit.

  “Not exactly.”

  Regal fixed his narrowed gaze on his brother. “No?”

  “No.”

  “Then what’s up, Ram? The team told me you took some time off. It was news to me.”

  “Regal, before I left Paris I told you I was taking time off. You don’t remember?”

  “I do, but you’re always crying wolf about taking time off. It usually never happens.”

  “Well, this time it did. I took a month. I’ll be answering some emails from home, but I have to be on site at the University City project first thing Monday morning. I still can’t believe excavation hasn’t been completed there.”

  “Royal told me you chewed him out about it.”

  “He didn’t leave me much choice. When something goes wrong at a site, I need to know about it. No exceptions.”

  Regal wiped his mouth then took a swig of sweet tea before he said, “Yeah, Ram, but to Royal’s point, we do have a little time to play with when it comes to U-City.”

  “Time is money. We should never look at a project like we’re ahead of schedule.”

  Regal nodded. “Because something could go wrong further up the road that we can’t avoid.”

  “Exactly. Now, try explaining that to Royal. I swear sometimes he acts like he started this company.”

  Regal chuckled. “That’s Royal. You’re not really going to fire him are you?”

  “Nah, I’m not going to fire him. I think about it constantly, but I’m not going to do it. He just needs to get with the program. That’s all.”

  “You’ve always been hard on him.”

&nbs
p; “That’s because I need to be. He thinks everything comes so easily since this job was pretty much waiting for him right out of college. It took a lot of hard work to get St. Claire Architects to where it is today.”

  “Yeah, I know. I was right there with you.” Regal took a gulp of tea. “So tell me what has you so occupied that you forget to pick up your brother from the airport?”

  Ramsey smirked and leaned back in his chair. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “I would. I believed you when you told me you signed up for that Wedded Bliss nonsense.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “I did. I’ll admit, it was hard to believe, at first, but you convinced me. Have you found your perfect spouse? Is that the reason you couldn’t come up for air?”

  “No. I mean, yes,” Ramsey said. “Well, maybe.”

  “Maybe?” Regal sat up tall. “I know how particular you are, so do you mean she’s perfect on the inside?”

  “I believe so. That’s what I intend to find out.” Ramsey smiled as he often did thinking about Gianna and how they’d shared dinner together at her bakery and talked. For some reason, he felt like he could talk to her for hours at a time with her body nestled close to his while he stroked her hair and stared into her gorgeous eyes.

  “Ram?” Regal said to get his brother’s attention.

  Ramsey blinked, then looked at Regal. “Yeah?”

  “I asked you why you’re smiling.”

  “I was thinking about her.”

  Regal tilted his head, having a hard time understanding his brother’s sudden infatuation. “Her, who? What’s her name?”

  “Gianna.”

  “And tell me what’s so special about Gianna that has my normally mean, ill-tempered, inflexible brother smiling.”

  Ramsey didn’t refute Regal’s description of him. He heard what he said, but he was too busy thinking about the way Gianna smiled and her shyness that he adored. It was a major turn-on for him when usually, timid women were a turn off. And he couldn’t wait to take her out to dinner – to see her in something other than her work uniform.

  Ramsey looked at his brother. “I’m smiling because I haven’t felt this way about a woman since Leandra.”