by Nina Singh
She took a deep breath. Maybe it would help to get it all off her chest finally. Her emotions were like a sea of violent waves when it came to her past relationship. And here was Clay, offering her a safe harbor. At least for a little while.
“He was my first boyfriend...” she began. “We were both juniors. I couldn’t believe a boy would notice me. Let alone a boy like him.”
“Big man on campus?”
“Complete with all the letters and captainships. While I was a bit of a loner.”
He sniffed her hair. “I find that hard to believe, given what I know of you now.”
“It’s true. I never really felt comfortable in my own skin. Always felt like there was a piece of me missing.” A chill ran down her spine. “I have to wonder now if it was some sixth sense telling me there was a sibling out there who could help me be complete.”
“Oh, Tori.”
“Everyone kept telling me how lucky I was. Especially all the girls who would have done anything to date him. And I believed them. I was too young to realize the effect the relationship was having on me.”
“How so?”
Tori squeezed her eyes shut. “I started to change. Began dressing differently. I grew my hair long when I’d always preferred it short.”
“I love your short, spiky hair.”
“He said it didn’t suit me.”
Clay’s entire body stiffened next to hers. “He was wrong.”
“I know that now. But at the time I just wanted to please this boy who had miraculously chosen me. So I did what he told me.”
“What else?” Clay prodded.
“He asked me to sign up for the same classes so that we could study together.” She humphed a bitter laugh. “Free tutoring for him would be a more accurate way to describe it.”
The memories came flashing back on a wave of regret. She’d lost so many days of her youth trying to accommodate someone else’s wishes. But it could have been so much worse. She could consider herself lucky.
“By the time we graduated high school and attended college, he was fully ingrained in my life. My brothers and parents loved him. They only saw the friendly, charming side that he was so good at projecting. He could be quite clever.” Her family still didn’t understand why she’d turned her back on what they’d seen as an ideal life partner.
“What happened then? After you started university?”
“I was studying hospitality and restaurant management, but my heart wasn’t in it. I love working for my parents at the trattoria. But it wasn’t a lifelong goal. I started baking for fun. Then I took a baking class as an elective.”
“And the rest is history.”
She ran a finger up his chest and over his shoulder, just to be able to touch him, to feel his warmth on her fingertips. “It was the beginning of the end for me and Drew. He took it as a personal betrayal when I quit school to open up a bakery. I took out loans, both personal and business. He said no wife of his was going to go into debt and waste her talents. I knew right then without any doubt that I absolutely did not want to be his wife. And I told him as much.”
Clay let out a low whistle.
“That’s when his behavior started to grow more and more aggressive and hostile.”
“So you got out.”
“I had to. I would have lost myself if I’d stayed with him.”
He pecked a kiss to the top of her head. “But you didn’t stay with him. And look at all you’ve accomplished since. You’re a household name in your field. You’ve put your heart and soul into a lifestyle that you love. You’re the very definition of success, Tori. Despite how hard he tried to stop you.”
Tori ducked her head under his chin and kissed the side of his neck. His pulse throbbed against her lips. When he spoke that way and held her tight in his arms, she could almost believe him.
CHAPTER TEN
THE MERINGUE WAS the key to the whole thing.
If the meringue was imperfect in any way, too soggy or too stiff, the whole thing would fall apart. Quite literally.
Tori bit her lip and focused on the job at hand. She had to get the consistency just right. The top layer of Gemma’s cake was supposed to be a confectionary replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the historic landmark in Italy where Gemma and Tom had taken their first vacation together.
She’d been having trouble concentrating all day. Clay was the one to blame for that. Tori couldn’t seem to get him out of her mind. And she would tell him so as soon as she laid eyes on him again.
Focus.
The cake wasn’t going to make itself.
It took her three more tries to get the consistency just right. Then she was on her way. By this time tomorrow, a masterpiece—if she did say so herself—of a wedding cake with five tiers topped by a molded sponge cake replica of an Italian landmark would be the centerpiece of a festive marital ceremony.
A ceremony she wasn’t invited to.
Tori pushed the thought aside. She was here to do a job, not attend a party. Regardless of what was happening between her and the bride’s brother.
Not that she could define exactly what was happening between them. She’d never before shared with anyone the specifics about how Drew had treated her toward the end of their relationship. Not even Eloise. Clay had listened to her last night without any judgement. She hadn’t realized exactly how much she’d needed that from someone. On a deep-seated level, she knew she had no blame for the way Drew had behaved toward her. But a tiny yet not silent part of her wondered how she’d ever let things get that far.
Why had she stayed? Even past the point where she’d known the relationship was hopeless, known that she hadn’t loved Drew. And perhaps never had.
She’d been half afraid Clay would ask her that last night—if she’d loved Drew. Luckily he hadn’t. She wasn’t sure how she might have answered.
* * *
Hours later, Tori had all the pieces baked and cooling on various racks. All that was left was to assemble the cake, which could be done tomorrow morning.
And her job here would be done. Meaning her time here on the island was coming to an end, as well. She bit back a sob then silently reprimanded herself for being so foolish. She’d known what she was getting into. Clay had been nothing but straight with her from the beginning.
And she’d gone and fallen in love with him anyway.
As if her thoughts had prompted it, her cell phone pinged with a text message. Clay’s profile appeared on the screen.
Where are you? Kitchen?
She answered then waited for the dancing dots to transform into words.
Is this a good time to stop by?
Yes. Timing couldn’t be better, in fact.
Good. Have to ask you something. I need a favor.
???
Will explain when I get there.
Tori was about to put the phone back in her apron pocket when it pinged with yet another message. This one flooded her heart with warmth. And also with a heavy dose of sadness at what might have been if things had been different.
Miss you.
Yeah. Adria had been absolutely right yesterday by the pool. Tori did indeed have it bad.
* * *
The few minutes it took for Clay to arrive felt like eons. What kind of favor was he looking for exactly? Tori’s curiosity heightened with each passing second until he finally showed up. He’d recently showered, she could tell. His hair was wet and combed back, his skin still damp and fresh.
Even casually dressed in plain khaki shorts and a fitted V-necked T-shirt, the man looked like he could walk down a runway in Milan. While here she was covered in flour and sugar and wearing a frumpy apron.
“What is that heavenly smell?” he asked, taking her by the hand and pulling her to him for a deep and lingering kiss that had her momentarily breathless.
/> She cleared her throat when she could find her voice again. “Well, it could be the meringue. Or the sponge candy used to make the tower. Or you might be referring to the buttercream frosting.”
He flashed her a devilish grin. “Or it could be you.”
The man certainly was a charmer. He grabbed her sketch pad from where it lay open on the counter and studied her drawing of the wedding cake.
“So this is the final plan, huh?”
She nodded.
“How in the world are you going to get it to stand upright, especially when the top is literally supposed to lean over?”
She pointed to the spots she’d drawn at strategic points on the pastry.
“Huh. This is a lot like architecture.” He tapped her nose. “I make exactly those kinds of decisions when designing buildings. We have more in common than we even knew.” He flashed her that dizzyingly handsome smile of his. “We’d make a great team.”
He had to stop saying those things to her. Every such comment made her long for the future they might have had. For what could be between them if only he were open enough to consider it.
But Clay had decided long ago that he was going to close himself off. And Tori didn’t have it in her to twist herself into some kind of pretzel to accommodate a man who was supposed to love her and accept her as she was.
Been there, done that.
She pulled the sketch pad back and closed it, perhaps a little too abruptly. “Yes. Well, let’s hope it works. It’s never a certainty.”
He blinked at her in question. “I have no doubt that it will. I have faith in your abilities.”
Yet more compliments. “So, what’s this favor you need?”
“I’ve been asked to babysit again. Lilly needs someone to accompany her to an activity.”
“Is Adria not feeling well?” She’d been meaning to check on his sister but time had gotten away from her. Poor thing really seemed to be having a tough first trimester.
“Yeah. I’m wondering if she picked up a bug or something on the way here. Everyone else seems to be doing fine, though.”
Tori made sure to remain silent.
“And Enrique is stuck on another phone call with his agent and his club. Sounds like negotiations aren’t going very well.”
“That’s too bad.” One more thing for Adria to have to deal with. She’d be sure to give her a call as soon as she had a moment.
“I’d rather have some help with this one. Not sure I trust myself to take it on alone. And I guess they’ve already paid for it and have talked it up to Lilly. They don’t want to let her down.”
Whatever he was referring to sounded like a bit more than an afternoon of face painting or craft of some sort. “What kind of activity are we talking about here?”
He leaned in closer to her over the counter. “Tell me, how do you feel about dolphins?”
* * *
She looked pretty darn sexy in a wet suit.
Clay had been nervous back there for a while when it looked like Tori might not want to join them. She’d certainly taken long enough to answer. In the end, much to his relief, she’d finally agreed. Clay hadn’t exactly been looking forward to wrangling his toddler niece by himself in a small cay with oversize fish circling them, trained or not.
Admit it, a little voice goaded in his head. You just wanted her here.
“I’ve never been swimming with dolphins before,” Tori said next to him in the aquatics hut slash gift store. Souvenirs like stuffed dolphins and sea turtle keychains surrounded them.
The animal trainer was given instructions about exactly what to expect and all the safety precautions to be adhered to once everyone was in the water.
Lilly made it hard to pay attention. She’d made it a game to demand going from Tori’s lap back to his repeatedly. Not to mention how distracted he was by Tori’s enticing curves in that suit. Finally, Tori gently started to stroke the little girl’s hair, which somehow soothed her enough to settle down.
About twenty minutes later, they followed the pleasant young aquatics trainer, Liv, to a small cay with crystal-blue water.
Liv blew her whistle and they waited for the show to start. And waited. Nothing seemed to be happening.
“Sometimes they take their time,” Liv told them rather apologetically.
Remarkably, Lilly noticed it before either of them. She pointed a wet finger toward the water. “Fish.”
Sure enough, the water rippled several feet in front of them as a silvery gray fin glided along the surface. Suddenly, a dolphin’s head popped up so close Clay could reach out and touch it. Lilly clapped with glee from where Tori still held her on one hip. For her part, Tori looked pretty entranced herself.
He’d be hard pressed to decide which of them seemed more excited, in fact. Both Tori and his niece had matching expressions of wonder. Not everyone could be patient when it came to unruly, energetic toddlers.
Tori was beyond good with Lilly.
Yeah, he was really glad she hadn’t turned him down.
* * *
Tori held Lilly cozily in her arms as they watched the dolphins play in the water. When the trainer blew her whistle and twirled her hand, they spun around upright in the water then landed with a splash. Lilly erupted in excited laughter every time they were doused with spray.
Now, Liv was pumping her hand up and down in the air. The dolphins started bobbing in and out of the water in response.
“This is quite a show,” Clay said, a smile of utter joy on his face. He looked boyish and carefree. Tori had to wonder how many days during his childhood he could recall as totally untroubled.
How many days had he been able to spend riding a bike or tossing a ball or just lazily wasting the hours? Instead of mourning the loss of his father and dodging a bully.
“Ah, one of the dolphins has decided to leave us,” Liv told them, her accent charming. “We never force the dolphins to do anything. They come if they please and stay for as long as they please.”
Liv turned to Lilly after reaching for something in one of the pockets on her utility belt. “This one must be hungry.” She pointed to the remaining dolphin. “I’m guessing that’s why she didn’t follow her friend when he swam off. Would you like to help your mommy feed her?”
“Oh, I’m not—”
But the young woman wasn’t listening. Handing Tori and Lilly a small bait fish of some kind, she instructed, “Hold your hand out like this.”
To Tori’s delight, the remaining dolphin swam up slowly and gently took the offering from her hand.
“She likes you,” Liv said and then turned to face Clay. “Would you like to feed her, too?”
Clay shook his head with a wide smile. “No, that’s okay. I think my two ladies here have it under control.”
Tori didn’t even allow herself to lament on that statement. His ladies. She’d rather focus on the delightful scene in front of her.
“She wants to be petted,” Liv explained. “It’s why she’s staying so close to you.”
Tori gingerly reached out her hand, still balancing Lilly on her hip. Ever so softly, she touched the surface of the animal’s back. Its skin felt like wet velvet, and it made no move to swim away.
“She really likes you!” Liv exclaimed, handing her another fish. This time, Tori took Lilly’s hand in hers when she extended the treat to the dolphin. The child squealed in delight when the fish took the food and flung its head back.
Lilly suddenly threw her arms around Tori’s neck and gave a squeeze. “Wiwwy wikes Towi, too.”
It took a moment to figure out what the little girl had just said. When she did, Tori’s heart felt like it had swollen to twice its size. Lilly likes Tori, too.
She nuzzled the top of the toddler’s head with her cheek, and gave her a small kiss on the top of her wet curls. “I like you, too, s
weetheart. Very much.”
Heaven help her, she’d somehow grown attached to his niece as well as to the man himself.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“WHO’S UP FOR some ice cream?” Clay asked from above her head where Tori sat drying Lilly off and getting her dressed.
She’d been tending to the little girl while Clay had gone off to buy half the gift shop, it seemed. He could barely hold all the packages in both arms. It was clear he liked to spoil the little girl, but all the purchases seemed a bit excessive.
“Who is that all for? Seems too much for one little girl.”
He blinked at her. “I founded and help run Our New Start, remember? I figured the kids might get a kick out of some of these. I plan to ship them out tomorrow.”
Tori didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. At every turn, she seemed to experience something new or to find out something more that pulled her further toward the wonder that was Clay Ramos. Not only had he founded the charity, he was hands on enough to purchase toys for it. Just one more layer of frosting on the cake.
How in the world would she ever go about forgetting him?
“So how about it?” he addressed Lilly. “You up for some chocolate-chip ice cream with fudge on top?”
“Yay!”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, they sat at a picnic table by the resort’s ice cream parlor. A ground-level fountain intermittently shot out streams of neon-colored water a few feet away. Lilly was transfixed as she watched it, jumping into Tori’s arms every time the water erupted into the air.
She was also covered from head to toe in sticky, gooey ice cream. Adria hadn’t seemed the type to fret over such things. And her uncle certainly didn’t seem concerned about the messy state of his niece.
Tori looked up to find two familiar faces approaching them. “Aun’ Geya!” Lilly yelled, squirming to free herself.
“That’s right. It’s Aunt Gemma.” Gemma walked over to the toddler and picked her up to give her a tight hug. “I’d kiss you but I don’t like chocolate ice cream,” she told her.
