The Chocolate Touch (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 8)

by Melissa McClone

His sisters entered the shop.

  “Hey,” Nevada said.

  Dakota remained silent.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  Neither said anything.

  Uh-oh. His sisters were never silent unless…

  “What did you do?” he tried again.

  Dakota blew out a breath. “We went to see Chantelle.”

  What? He clutched the edge of the counter. “Why?”

  “To see if she’d come to the shop and talk to you before she left Marietta,” Dakota said.

  His breath caught, and his heart stilled. He didn’t want his sisters involved in this, but he had to know. Ask. “What did she say?”

  “Her cousin told her she can’t come back to the shop,” Nevada answered.

  Dakota rubbed the back of her neck. “I got the feeling she wouldn’t have come even if she could.”

  Nevada nodded. “Me, too. But she looks as bad as you do.”

  His chest felt as if it might burst. “Thanks for trying. It’s over.”

  Nevada took a step forward. “But—”

  “No buts.” He hadn’t thought his heart could hurt any more, but it did. “Let this drop. Don’t mention her again. Go. I need to work.”

  “No.” Dakota’s forceful tone shocked him. “You’re the one who needs to go—to the Graff to see Chantelle before she’s gone. She and her cousin are flying to Boston today. They’ll pack up her apartment and move her to France.”

  “That’s what she wants.”

  “She wants you,” Nevada countered.

  He shook his head.

  “Trust me, I’ve been there,” Nevada said.

  Dakota nodded. “Me, too.”

  “No. I won’t go over there.” York didn’t know if it was his pride or stubbornness or a combination of the two that wouldn’t let him consider it. “Why should I be the one to give in and go to her when she doesn’t want to come to me?”

  “Because when you love someone, you either both win or you both lose if you fight,” Nevada said in a tone that made her sound older and wiser than both he and Dakota. “It’s not giving in when you’re in this together.”

  Dakota pointed to their not-so-baby sister. “What she said.”

  Nevada continued. “If you hadn’t called me on Valentine’s Day, I’m not sure I would have left Dakota’s house. Who knows what would have happened with Dustin if I hadn’t? He had this whole grand gesture planned, but he didn’t know if I would show up to see it. I’m so thankful I did, because I don’t want to consider us not being together.”

  The emotion in his sister’s voice tugged at his heart. He remembered that phone call. Dakota had let him know just how terrible things were, so he’d hung up from her call and phoned Nevada right away.

  “Things would have worked out. You love Dustin.” He looked at Dakota. “And you’re in love with Bryce.”

  “I know that now, but I wasn’t sure of anything back then. The situation seemed so hopeless,” Dakota admitted. “I was confused and a complete wreck. If Bryce hadn’t made the effort, we wouldn’t be together today.”

  York let the words sink in. “You think I need to make the effort.”

  “If you love her,” Dakota said.

  He took a breath and thought for a moment. “I don’t know how I feel.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Nevada stared up at him. “Because Chantelle is only a couple of blocks away. That’s a little closer than having a freaking ocean between you.”

  He hesitated. “I don’t know what I’d say.”

  “Just say your sisters made you do it,” Nevada said in a strong, but matter-of-fact tone. A voice she likely used with her freshman students to make them do what she wanted.

  That wasn’t going to work on him. “I can’t say that, but maybe…”

  “Maybe?” Dakota asked.

  “Maybe.” That was as much as he had, but an idea popped into his head.

  He grabbed a flower-shaped chocolate lollipop. If he couldn’t think of anything to say, he could hand her the flower and say it was for her flight. Stupid, but better than standing there like a silent fool. Which was a distinct possibility.

  As was having her slam the door in his face.

  But that was a chance he had to take. “Could one of you cover the cost of this?”

  Nevada reached into her purse. “I will.”

  Dakota darted into the back. Thirty seconds later, she came out putting on an apron. “I’ll cover here.”

  Was he really going to do this? All the reasons he shouldn’t filled his brain. “I—”

  She walked around the counter and gave him a shove. “Go. Now.”

  Nevada held the door open. “Hurry. It didn’t look like Chantelle had much left to pack.”

  York didn’t know why this mattered so much to his sisters. “This is going to explode in my face.”

  “Maybe,” Dakota said. “But maybe it won’t, and at least you’ll know.”

  “Know what?” he asked.

  “That going over there was the right choice,” Nevada said.

  He walked out the door with a mix of apprehension and futility. Chantelle wanted to be in France with her family. That was the only thing that mattered to her now. He’d blown his chance.

  Turn around.

  York ignored the voice and kept walking. Yes, she wanted to move to France, but he’d never given her another option. Something was driving him toward Front Avenue.

  Be honest. You admitted you care, but you have more feelings, too. Ones you don’t want, so you’re looking for a reason, an excuse to put an end to us, so you can be free to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want.

  Dakota and Nevada were correct. He needed to talk to Chantelle again.

  He picked up his pace.

  Thoughts bounced around as if his head were a pinball machine. Random images, feelings, and memories. Words formed, jumbled and confused.

  Maybe he could tell Chantelle that spending the past couple of weeks with her had been wonderful. He’d spent many of the days working at the shop, but his time with her had been the best. He had no regrets except he wished things had turned out differently between them.

  Maybe saying those words would give them better closure to begin the next part of their lives.

  Without each other.

  His heart seized.

  No.

  He didn’t want to be without her.

  He…

  An image of her formed. One of her the first time he’d seen her at the bookstore. The pretty blonde in the fancy blue suit who was nervous but didn’t want anyone to know. Another image appeared. Of her making a bouquet of chocolate flowers for a husband to give his wife. The look of awe on her face when she held Portia’s baby. The way Chantelle looked at him with a smile on her face and affection in her eyes. That look made him feel like he could do anything. With her next to him, he was invincible.

  I…

  I love her.

  Everything they’d gone through, all the feelings and things he couldn’t quite understand, seemed to suddenly make sense.

  York broke into a run.

  He had no idea how Chantelle felt, but that didn’t matter. He needed to tell her what she meant to him. It might not change anything…or it could change everything.

  Please don’t let me be too late.

  *

  Where was the bellhop?

  Pacing in front of the window, Chantelle glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. She and Philippe would have plenty of time to make the drive to the airport, but for her peace of mind, she wanted to get out of Marietta.

  The more she thought about it, the more she realized Dakota and Nevada were wrong about their brother’s feelings. York had walked away. He was the one who didn’t want a relationship with Chantelle, and not because she’d spied or lied or whatever everyone at the chocolate shop had decided she’d done.

  Okay, she’d called him out. She’d said harsh words
after being hurt. Chantelle hated that she’d done that, but self-preservation had kicked in. She couldn’t stop herself.

  It was good she couldn’t go to the chocolate shop.

  Her heart couldn’t take more rejection or sadness. And that was all she would find at Copper Mountain Chocolates. She needed to get far, far away from Marietta, Montana and never come back.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  Thank goodness. The bellhop was finally here.

  She hurried to the door and opened it.

  Not the bellhop.

  Her mouth gaped. She closed it. “York…”

  He stood in the doorway with an anxious expression on his face. Stubble covered his cheeks. His eyes were red. His lids were heavy.

  “You’re still here.” The relief in his voice was palpable. The corners of his mouth turned upward.

  What was going on? She wanted to ask, but she pressed her lips together instead. No way did she trust her voice. Or herself.

  The door handle dug into her palm.

  “May I come in?” he asked.

  Chantelle hated how bad he looked because she could be staring in a mirror. She cleared her dry throat. “I’m waiting for the bellhop to get my luggage. Philippe and I are leaving.”

  “What I have to say won’t take long.”

  A part of her was happy to see York. She didn’t like that part. Worse, she fought the urge to reach out and touch him. To feel his skin, his warmth, so she could know she wasn’t daydreaming. Instead, she motioned him inside.

  He walked to the center of the room.

  She stayed by the door. Silly, yes, but self-preservation wouldn’t let her move closer to him. She wasn’t looking forward to another goodbye. Nervously, she rubbed her damp palms against her jeans.

  York took a breath and pulled something from the front pocket of his apron. He handed her a flower-shaped dark chocolate treat tied with a pink ribbon. “For you.”

  “This isn’t necessary.”

  Shrugging, he shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “Eat it on the flight.”

  “The flight,” she repeated. “Thanks for the chocolate. I need you to leave.”

  “I need you to stay.”

  Feeling off-balance, she leaned against the wall to steady herself and narrowed her gaze. “What? Why?”

  “I love you.”

  No way did he just say that. Chantelle squinted as if her eyes could help her hear better. “What?”

  He hesitated. “I…I love you.”

  Her insides trembled. She’d longed for someone to say those three words to her—she’d hoped it would be him—but she was afraid to believe him. It was too hard after everything that had happened.

  She raised her chin. “That’s not what you said before.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it before. It wasn’t until today on my way over here. I’m much better at debugging code than figuring out my own feelings. You were correct. I was looking for an excuse to call things off.” He brushed his hand through his hair. “Forgive me.”

  “I want to, but—”

  “I get it.” His eyes brimmed with understanding and affection. “I was an idiot. I can’t take back what happened. I wish I could, but that doesn’t change the fact that I love you.”

  Her resolve was melting like a chocolate bar on a sunny day.

  “I know you want to be part of a family.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s be a family.”

  The air whooshed from her lungs. She tried to speak, but she couldn’t.

  “I hurt you, but I’ll do what I can to make it up to you. You and your happiness are the most important things right now. I just couldn’t see it, but I promise not to be such an idiot in the future. If you’ll let me.”

  Each word was breaking through her walls like a missile making a direct hit on its target. She couldn’t take much more.

  “York, please.” The words were painful to say. “I wish things were different. I really do, but my family—”

  “I can’t give you blood relatives or a job at a fancy chocolate factory, but I will gladly give you my heart. And Parker might not sound as fancy as Delacroix, but it’s a good solid name.”

  “Wait…what?” She tilted her head. “Parker?”

  “I’m rushing, but I can’t lose you. Last night and this morning have been the worst ever. But it took thinking I might not see you again to make me hope for a different ending. A happy one.”

  “And you just figured this all out?”

  He nodded. “Amazing what sheer panic and a walk can do to clear a guy’s mind.”

  She wasn’t sure what to think. He was saying the right words and staring at her with love in his gaze, but something held her back. “You want to travel, see the country, be free—”

  “That was before. Now I want the woman with the chocolate touch. I want you, Chantelle. I wanted you the moment you crashed into me, but I didn’t know how much I needed you until today.” He laced his fingers with hers. “I don’t care where we end up—France is fine—as long as we’re together. The next six months will be difficult, since I’m locked into a contract, but after that, I want us to be together.”

  Chantelle was scared, but she knew what her heart—what she—wanted. Finally, she realized why her mother had made the choice she had and understood it in a way she couldn’t before. Chantelle’s situation wasn’t the same. She had her uncle and cousin’s love and support. They wanted her in Bayonne, and that was where she wanted to be.

  But without York with her, it wouldn’t feel right.

  Philippe said Uncle Laurent would support whatever she wanted. She hoped so.

  There was only one decision, one choice, she could make.

  York.

  Her heart thumping like mad, she stared up at him. “I love you, too.”

  Relief crossed his face…followed by a satisfied smile that reached the corners of his eyes. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the lips.

  A possessive kiss.

  One that staked his claim.

  She didn’t mind because the way she kissed him back said one thing—mine.

  My love.

  My family.

  She did have the chocolate touch. Chocolate had brought her everything she’d dreamed about and a little extra, too—York.

  Chocolate with Chantelle

  This is it!

  For several years, I’ve explored the world of chocolate. I’ve enjoyed sharing my discoveries with reviews and articles, so it’s a bittersweet moment as I write my final blog post.

  My late mother, Marie Delacroix Cummings, taught me everything she knew about chocolate in a small kitchen near Boston. She knew a lot because she was a chocolatier for Delacroix Chocolates, her family’s company. She gave up that job and left France to move to the United States to be with my father, but that didn’t stop her from passing on her passion for chocolate to me.

  I’m delighted to announce that I’ve accepted a position with Delacroix Chocolates in Bayonne, France. This is not only an opportunity of a lifetime from a career standpoint, but more importantly, the move will also allow me to live closer to my family. That’s something I’ve missed since the death of my father.

  I kept the fact I was a part of the Delacroix family a secret because I didn’t want to use their connections and reputation to further my career in the industry. I also made a conscious decision to not review any Delacroix product or store. Some may feel misled or betrayed in some way. I’m sorry if you are one of the people who do. Perhaps I was naïve to think being a Delacroix didn’t matter, but it has never been my intention to hurt anybody, and I apologize if I did.

  Before I sign off, I have one last recommendation for all the chocolate lovers to check out. There’s a fabulous small-batch producer called Copper Mountain Chocolates located in Marietta, Montana on Main Street.

  If you get the chance to visit, do. The owner, Sage Carrigan O’Dell, has created delicious, handcrafted chocolates. The shop’s wel
coming atmosphere will make you feel like a regular even if it’s your first visit.

  The seventy-two-percent Criollo bar is to die for and my favorite product of theirs. The tasting I attended left me wanting more. My mouth was a buffet of flavors, including a surprising caramel and banana, that you won’t want to miss. The selection of truffles will satisfy any chocoholic, but if you’re only going to order one, I recommend the champagne. You won’t be disappointed. The hot chocolate—Sage’s secret recipe—is a creamy mixture topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. After one mug, you’ll find yourself wanting another. One of the retail staff calls it a chocolate lover’s ambrosia. I agree!

  I had the pleasure of working behind the counter at Copper Mountain Chocolates for a brief time. Writing about chocolate and selling it are two different things. The staff at the shop taught me so much about customer service…and life. The experience has changed me. For the better, I hope!

  I learned family isn’t always related by blood. Often, people can be related by a shared interest. In the case of the shop, it was chocolate. The customers’ enthusiasm for Sage’s masterpieces was contagious, as was the staff’s. I was fortunate to work with another newbie at the shop, as well. Between working together and exploring the town of Marietta, I fell hard for him. The last thing I expected to find was love at the chocolate shop, but I’m so grateful I did.

  As for the ending to my story, let’s hope for happily ever after.

  Chantelle

  Epilogue

  November

  Chantelle couldn’t believe Bryce and Dakota’s wedding reception was over. Time had flown by with dancing, eating, and drinking. Such fun. The happy newlyweds had left a half hour ago to a secret honeymoon destination—one that not even Walt Grayson knew about.

  York wrapped his arms around Chantelle. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo, and she couldn’t help but imagine him as a groom someday in the future. They were taking things slow right now.

  Although maybe that would happen sooner than she thought. She had caught the bridal bouquet.

  “Great wedding,” he said.

  “Perfect.” Just like this time together with him.

  They’d promised the bride and groom to stay until everyone was gone. The other guests had left. That included Nevada, Dustin, and York’s parents, who were not only nice, but also treated Chantelle like one of the family.