The Chocolate Comeback (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 7)

by Roxanne Snopek

  Had he always honked like that when he laughed?

  “Marietta, Montana. We have TV and penicillin and everything.” It was one thing for DeeDee to diss her home town, but she didn’t appreciate hearing others do it.

  “If you say so. Listen, DeeDee. Either you’re serious or you’re not.”

  “I’m serious, I am. It’s just… This is a lot of information to take in in such a short time. It’s a great opportunity.”

  “Am I good or what?” Jon took an audible drag and exhaled loudly. “Listen, DeeDee. I know we’ve had our differences, but this is your chance. I suggest you take it.”

  *

  Three days later, DeeDee walked into the stucco-and-wood-sided building containing Dr. Edelman’s consulting offices. The only thing identifying it as a medical office was the small, elegantly lettered sign posted in the lawn between the parking lot and the entrance, along with similar window lettering on the front door. The angled roofline gave it a modern West Coast contemporary look, upscale but not intimidating. Professional and elegant enough to match their exorbitant fees, yet homey enough to make people believe they were among friends.

  Isaac had already given her the day off because Portia’s baby shower was that evening and the fashion show the next day. When she’d left the previous night, he’d been quiet, nodding his goodbye as if expecting her to disappear after the almost-kiss.

  She still wasn’t sure she wanted to go through with this, but if the only thing standing between her and her dream job was a minor cosmetic procedure, she owed it to herself to at least find out what was involved.

  She hadn’t told Maddie, already knowing what she would say. Neither of them had much pain tolerance, and a broken nose was exquisitely painful according to Chad, who’d been head-butted by a horse once. Eric had broken numerous body parts during his bull-riding career, and Mick still had fading scars from his own recent facial fracture. She shuddered, then pushed away her doubts. She was gathering intel today, nothing more.

  DeeDee glanced at her reflection in the window. She’d pulled out her favorite outfit for the occasion, which was the silk pants she’d worn the first time she’d met Isaac and the wrap Mark said made her look like a rainbow.

  She smiled at the memory, luxuriating in the sensation of wearing something other than jeans and a T-shirt again. When was the last time she’d worn not just a swipe of mascara and lip-gloss, but full makeup, from primer to lashes? When was the last time she’d styled her hair in something other than a ponytail?

  She tapped a finger against the side of her nose. Would the improvements she sought be worth the pain she’d endure to get them?

  She was tougher than everyone thought, though. Anyone who could handle the cutthroat world of New York fashion could certainly handle a little pain.

  The familiar panicky desperation bubbled inside her again. She’d wasted so much time fooling around and now, here she was, with thirty peeking over the horizon, and she still hadn’t figured out what to do with her life.

  She pictured Mark in the kitchen, dropping candies onto melted chocolate, looking up at her with glee.

  Of Isaac, watching from the sidelines, his eyes following her movements. His appreciation. His admiration.

  So what—was she going to give up modeling to work with handicapped people? Talk about a change.

  No. This was who she was.

  She straightened her shoulders and pushed through the doors.

  “Good afternoon and welcome.” The stunningly beautiful receptionist—Heidi, according to the nameplate on the desk—smiled, a bland, generic movement that didn’t touch her eyes. “Is this your first time here?”

  “Yup.” DeeDee’s smile felt like a rictus of terror. “Have you had Botox? I love how smooth your forehead is. I got one injection from my dentist when I was modeling in New York City because apparently, I have a line coming right here.” She pointed to the left side of her mouth, aware that she was babbling again, but unable to stop it. “Mistake. I drooled in my sleep for three months.”

  Heidi’s eyes widened, but her eyebrows still didn’t move. Impressive. “I’ll need you to fill out this form, please.”

  DeeDee gave her the necessary information and took a seat in the waiting room. The decor was spectacular, the walls a soft grey with pink undertones, the couches black leather with white throw cushions. The effect made her think of thick, fluffy slippers and curling up under a blanket on a cold night.

  Even Heidi’s blouse was a coordinating shade of pinkish-grey.

  This was the place to have work done, if the interior design was anything to go by.

  Which even she knew was not the way to judge a surgeon. But the branding was excellent, which meant he was smart.

  “Deirdre Cash, Dr. Edelman will see you now.” Heidi got to her feet and gestured for DeeDee to follow. Heidi’s white pencil skirt matched the throw cushions. Again, DeeDee was impressed. No muffin top. No panty line. If Heidi was a creation of Dr. Edelman, they ought to be using her in their advertising.

  Then again, having her sit out front, the face of the practice so to speak, was a kind of advertising.

  The same way her feet advertised the Callus Palace?

  Ugh.

  Heidi held the door for her, and she walked into a spacious examination room. A white-sheeted table with a mattress three times thicker than the average doctor’s, sat discreetly against the far wall. There were two full-length mirrors in the corner, for that dressing-room effect. People could see their front and back at the same time. There was also another mirror on wheels.

  On the polished maple desk stood an oversized laptop, a professional-grade lamp, and another mirror.

  No questioning what people were here to discuss with this doctor.

  Isaac’s words echoed in her ears.

  You’re more than what you look like. It’s what a person does that matters.

  Easy for him to say.

  In her world, looks mattered a whole hell of a lot. Her appearance was everything. And being pretty was not enough. She had to be better than pretty.

  She had to be perfect.

  A second door at the back of the office opened, and the doctor entered the room.

  “Hello, Ms. Cash. I’m Dr. Edelman. Pleased to meet you.”

  He was the single most beautiful specimen of a man she’d ever seen. No white coat or green surgical scrubs for him, at least, not for a consult. He wore a suit obviously tailored to his physique, which was no doubt built in a gym. He had an evenly sun-kissed complexion that she recognized was fake, but she didn’t care. Just the right amount of wave to his blond-streaked hair. Sparkling blue eyes, chiseled cheekbones, a perfect jawline, and a few smile lines at the corners of his eyes.

  Men could get away with smile lines. Must be nice.

  He held out his hand, and they shook. His grip was firm and cool, his fingers strong. Even his voice was gorgeous, as if he’d had vocal coaching.

  “You have lovely features.” Dr. Edelman smiled at her. “I understand you’re a model?”

  “Yes.” DeeDee tipped her head, waiting for the thrill the words had always caused. “I’m currently on a break, but would like to get back into it.”

  But the pride felt false. Small and misplaced.

  Nor did she trust the doctor’s admiration. It wasn’t a compliment; it was an objective evaluation of a product that wasn’t up to standard and may have to be recalled.

  He didn’t know her, after all. To him, she could be a photograph in a magazine.

  “I understand you’d like to discuss rhinoplasty,” he said. “Let’s have a look.”

  He instructed her to lean forward, turn this way and that, and to close her eyes while he trained the high-powered lamp on her features for a better look. He took digital photographs from all angles, then uploaded them to the computer on his desk.

  “I can see why you’re looking to have this issue addressed,” the doctor said when he was finished. “The imperfection, while sma
ll, detracts from the overall symmetry of your bone structure. It might not be noticeable to the average person, but you’ll always be fighting the camera unless we correct it.”

  He pointed out the tiny bump that had relegated her to spots in hardware catalogs and flyers for podiatrists. “Let me do a mock-up of how it will look after the procedure.” Dr. Edelman entered a few measurements, then showed DeeDee her face without the bump.

  It looked almost the same.

  She was disappointed that the effect wouldn’t be more noticeable, which was ridiculous. She wanted people to believe that she was born this way, after all.

  “Now.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands. “Because of your profession, I have a few other suggestions, if I may.”

  Other suggestions? Her nose she could understand, but she’d never been told there were other problems with her face.

  “Of course,” she said.

  Dr. Edelman went on to discuss sun damage, the line by her mouth that the dentist had already screwed up, chemical peels, forehead lifts, and on and on.

  By the time he shook her hand and left the office, she was ready to cry.

  She’d come in excited to become more beautiful. Instead, she’d been told about all her other imperfections. And now that she knew about them, she wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about them.

  She stopped at the reception desk to pay Heidi the consultation fee, then left the office.

  When she got into her car, she sat for a few minutes, wondering which would be the bigger mistake. To have the surgery… or to not have the surgery.

  You’re already perfect, just as you are.

  She put her head onto the steering wheel, knowing her makeup would be ruined, but let the tears come anyway.

  Chapter Sixteen

  DeeDee got back to Marietta in plenty of time to put the final changes on the community center for Portia’s baby shower that evening, grateful for the distraction.

  She’d washed off the tear-ruined makeup, replacing it with a light touch of foundation and mascara, put her hair in a ponytail again, and changed into a pair of dark jeans, a soft cotton-blend sweater, and Maddie’s pink suede boots. No more glamour today, thanks to Dr. Edelman. Simple, classic, and clean.

  She felt… tarnished. Defective.

  “Stop it,” she ordered herself. This was a party, a celebration, and she wasn’t going to let her own Dr. Dumbass ruin it.

  She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the community center. The pots of colorful spring bulbs coordinated beautifully with the festive streamers and the huge banner Cynthia had created from the comfort of her laptop.

  DeeDee wasn’t sure who all would be coming, but she hoped for a good turnout. Sage wanted a huge show of support for her niece. DeeDee would do better than that.

  She glanced at her cell phone to check the time. The food wasn’t coming for half an hour. She had time to pop over to Isaac’s to see if he’d changed his mind about bringing Mark to the shower. It would be a great chance for him to meet a few more people in a casual, fun setting.

  And support Portia at the same time.

  Sure, she could call. But she wanted to see him. Them. The appointment with the surgeon had left a bad taste in her mouth. Mark would make her smile, and she needed that.

  She parked Maddie’s car in front of Isaac’s house and looked at her hands on the steering wheel for a few minutes.

  “Be honest, DeeDee,” she muttered. She was still thinking about the kiss that hadn’t happened. If ever she needed one, it was now.

  She walked up the steps, determined to be breezy and confident. Neediness didn’t suit her.

  She walked inside, listening. By the sound of the laugh-track, Mark was upstairs, watching TV. She nudged open the door to Isaac’s office. He sat at his desk, his back facing the door, his dark hair deliciously rumpled, his white shirt untucked, his feet—oh lordy—bare.

  “Hey,” she said quietly, so as not to startle him. “Have you decided about going to the shower with me? It would be fun. You could use some fun.”

  Isaac turned to the sound of her voice, dragging his gaze from yet another stack of reports. It was a wonder the man’s eyes hadn’t changed to scaled-down eight-and-a-half-by-eleven rectangles. He took off his glasses and held them in his hand. Very professorial. He parted his lips and nibbled on one of the arms. He had lovely, lovely teeth.

  DeeDee’s stomach jumped, not in the painful clench she’d become accustomed to, but rather a glittery, shimmery sensation like she was about to buckle in for an exciting ride.

  “Shower?” he said, sliding that slow, heavy-lidded gaze to her mouth. His tongue darted out to catch the arm of his glasses to gently bite down on the plastic-covered metal.

  He wasn’t looking at her as if he saw defects.

  “I told you. It’s tonight.” She swallowed and flicked a lock of hair out of her eyes.

  He lifted his eyebrows. “I think I’d have remembered you talking about a shower.”

  The way he was looking at her was doing fantastic things for her bruised ego. She stepped into the doorframe and leaned against it, bumping her hip out, emphasizing the length of her denim-clad legs and the comfortable sweater that still did nice things for her modest décolletage. “You should come. I promise, you’ll have a good time.”

  He lifted his eyebrows.

  “It would do you good to try something different, rather than staying in and staring at a screen all day and night,” she added. “Plus, I think Mark could enjoy it.”

  She laughed at the look on his face.

  “The baby shower, Ike. The one I’m organizing for Sage’s niece, remember? The more, the merrier. Well, the more people, the more presents, I should say. Portia could use the help. You’d be doing a good thing.” She paused for breath. “I gather that Portia’s been thrown for a loop with this pregnancy, and Sage is hoping that some fun, pampering, and excellent presents will lift her spirits. The party’s tonight. I’m inviting you, though at the moment, I have no idea why. Is any of this ringing a bell?”

  One side of his mouth tipped upward. Anyone who didn’t know what to look for would have missed it. But she recognized it for what it was—a smile.

  “A baby shower,” he said. “You might have mentioned. You can understand my confusion.”

  The other side tipped up as well. He was positively grinning at her now.

  She took a few steps into the room and perched herself on the arm of one of the ghastly chairs, leaning back slightly. “If we’re flirting again, I should warn you. I’m very competitive. And I never lose.”

  His eyebrows went way up at that. He sat back in his great swivel chair behind that massive oak desk and folded his arms. “You’re competitive, are you?”

  She didn’t take her eyes off his. She felt a million times better than she had a minute ago. “Very. How about that shower?”

  Diamonds sparkled in his onyx gaze. “The way you say it makes me feel dirty.”

  She hadn’t expected that. He’d spoken the words with his usual inflection, which was almost a monotone. So why was she shivering like he’d just run a hand up the back of her thigh?

  Good thing she was holding onto a chair.

  He’d given her exactly the affirmation she craved. Suddenly, that was raising alarm bells.

  She didn’t want to consider what that meant.

  DeeDee stood up slowly, forcing her legs to work, to hold her as she came up to the front of his desk, shifted the stack of reports, and planted her palms on the empty surface.

  Flirting, she could do. Best not to think about the rest.

  She leaned forward until their heads were perhaps three feet apart.

  “If you feel dirty, Isaac, then you should do something about it.” She used her breathy Marilyn Monroe voice. “Do I make you sweaty? Is your heart pounding like you’ve just had a long run in the hot sun and all you want to do is strip off all your clothes and stand under a spray of cool water, feel it slip over
your bare skin, refreshing you, making you come alive—”

  He stood up, swept the reports off his desk, and pulled her across the polished oak into his lap. He cradled the back of her head, and then it was happening. He was kissing her, his mouth hard and hungry, wet and wild, sweet, salty, and certain.

  His fingers threaded through her hair, pulling her close and closer, as his tongue swept the inside of her mouth, demanding, claiming, conquering. Passion rose hot and wild in her to match his, but where she let hers loose, he kept his carefully contained, like a dangerous animal that could never be fully tamed. His other hand was dangerously close to the underside of her breast, moving up and down restlessly, exploring while holding her tightly against his body, but never quite reaching where she wanted him to go.

  The kiss seemed to go on forever. His hoarse breathing matched her own, and his body pressed hard, hot, and insistent beneath her. Time seemed to stop. She didn’t know where she was. She didn’t know who she was, or why or when, and didn’t care at all. All she knew was the soft firmness of his mouth, the taste of clear mountain water with an afternote of dark chocolate, the shivery feeling she got when he rubbed his lightly stubbled cheek against hers.

  *

  DeeDee’s hands scrambled at the back of his head, her fingers threading through his hair. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” she whispered. “Mark could come down at any minute.”

  “Don’t think about Mark,” he murmured against her mouth.

  She was right, though. It was a mistake to get involved with DeeDee. It was wrong on so many levels. She worked for him. She was leaving town as soon as she could. She’d break Mark’s heart when she did.