Candy Kisses

by Bernadette Marie

  “You talk fast.” She held her hands up as if to stop him. “Do you sell used cars?”

  “No, only the finest BMWs and Jags.” He smiled when she scowled. “I don’t really have to do a lot of talking. The cars sell themselves. But if I keep talking the buyer can’t walk away from the sale.”

  “I’m walking away.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re going to let me take you to dinner tomorrow because now you’re intrigued. And because my mother is not only one of your biggest customers with her business, she’s a great fan of yours as well.” He reached over the counter and grabbed her hand. He lifted it to his lips and brushed her knuckles with a kiss. “Tabitha, it certainly was my pleasure to meet you. Thank you for helping me out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He picked up his box and walked out the door.

  Tabitha stood still, rendered speechless by the man who had waltzed in and out of her store. Apparently she was having dinner with the man. Had she said yes?

  She wouldn’t go. No one talked her into things like that. The last thing she needed in February was some man taking her to dinner. She was much too busy.

  As she folded the money he’d handed her and shoved it into her pocket, she thought of Preston Banks and his playful smile. He was right. She was definitely intrigued.

  Chapter Two

  One day closer to Valentine’s Day and Tabitha watched as Brie flirted with the man at the counter. She laughed at his jokes, touched his hand, and made the motion of swinging her hair back over her shoulder even though it was in a ponytail high on her head. Tabitha thought the whole ritual disgusting, but he’d bought a box of thirty-dollar chocolates for his girlfriend and two more matching boxes for his mother and grandmother.

  When the man walked out of the store Brie whistled as she walked past Tabitha and rearranged the display in the case.

  Tabitha shook her head. “Doesn’t it bother you to use your female charm to sell things?”

  “He came in here wanting a four pack of truffles. A four pack,” she emphasized with her fingers held up. “He walked out spending ninety. Do you really see a problem?”

  She winced. “I see a problem with the whole holiday and the whole month of February. But as long as people like you roam the streets thinking that love lurks around the corner I’ll make my car payment and my mortgage nicely for the next year until I have to watch you all do it again.”

  “I’ve decided we should find you a florist that hates February, weddings, and Mother’s Day too. Imagine the two of you would fall madly in love.” Brie leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. “Just think, you could make all the money off those of us who believe in romance, love at first sight, and till death do us part. And the two of you could sit around your own kitchen table and just shake your heads at us as we spend money in your stores.” She raised her hands in the air with her palms up. “It would be a match made in heaven, or hell – wherever it is you live in that head of yours. The chocolatiere that doesn’t believe in Valentine’s Day and love.”

  “You’re mean.” Tabitha snarled at her best friend who sadly knew her much too well.

  “I’m realistic. Love is wonderful.”

  “Love is overrated.” Tabitha watched the woman who stood at her window waving a gloved hand. “And this is why I think love is overrated.”

  The woman opened the door and shut it quickly. “Oh, it is freezing out there.” She smiled her million dollar smile at Tabitha and be lined around the counter. “There is my beautiful daughter.”

  Her mother gave her a noisy kiss on the cheek and stood with her gloved hands cupping Tabitha’s face. “She’s working too hard.” She studied her intently. “You need some time off.”

  “Mom, I don’t have time for time off.” She took her mother’s hands from her face and forced a smile. “This is the season where I make most of my money. Add that silly day in May where we worship our mothers and my year is paid for.”

  “You do worship me.” Her mother turned to Brie before Tabitha rolled her eyes and shook her head. “She’s mad because she’s doing my chocolates for the wedding.”

  “That’s a tossup, Corrine.” Brie interjected. “She’s mad because she doesn’t think I should flirt with customers to make them spend three times what they came in to spend.”

  “Foolish,” her mother laughed as she took off her gloves and her heavy suede coat. She draped it over her arm and adjusted the pearls, which hung from her wrist with her perfectly manicured fingers. The nail polish was red and it had been as far back as Tabitha could remember.

  “It won’t stop me either,” Brie added. “If they want to open their wallets while I giggle at their lame joke, then I am happy to oblige.”

  “You two are horrible.” Tabitha walked to the back of the store and pulled out tray of long stem strawberries from the drying rack.

  Her mother followed her. She set her coat on the stool by the door and pulled up another to the table where Tabitha worked. She sat down and crossed her legs. Her foot, in its fashionable, yet very unpractical shoe, bounced to the beat on the radio. “Peter and I registered yesterday. It was very exciting.”

  “What could you possibly have registered for?”

  “Don’t belittle my wedding,” she said looking over her manicure. “Peter is the best isn’t he?”

  Tabitha didn’t wish to get into the war of words that were brewing in her head. She agreed with a nod and let it go.

  “Well the reason I wanted to stop by was to tell you to double our order. We downsized the cake so we could show you off more.”

  Tabitha lifted her head and stared at her mother. “Are you kidding me? Mom, your wedding is in two weeks. I have five other weddings and this silly holiday that makes all of you love sick people crazy. I can’t fit in time to double that order.”

  “You’d do it for me,” she said grinning.

  Tabitha was sure her mother’s common sense had never developed. But one thing was true. She’d do it for her mother and she hated herself for it.

  “Fine. I’ll do it. But if Claire Banks needs more, I’ll do her weddings first. She pays me full price.”

  “Is it always the money?”

  She wanted to tell her it was the principle, but as her mother was still glassy eyed thinking of her wedding, she just couldn’t do it.

  Brie poked her head through the doorway. “Um, Tab, you have a visitor.” She bit her lip, but the edges of her mouth turned up into smile.

  “Who?”

  “A gentleman who says he’s come to take you to dinner.”

  “What?” Tabitha wiped her hands on her apron and noticed the expression of joy that crossed her mother’s face.

  She walked to the front of the store and there stood Preston Banks. He was dressed casually in jeans and dark leather jacket. Handsome, was the first thing Tabitha thought as she watched him give her a nervous smile.

  Her mother gave her a slight shove toward him and she turned to scowl, but she was sure her mother never noticed. She was starry-eyed looking at Preston as though he were Prince Charming and came baring a golden slipper.

  He took a step toward her. “I know I’m really early, but I was afraid if I waited you’d lock up and leave without me.”

  Truth was she’d forgotten about telling him she’d go to dinner she’d been so busy with orders. No, she suddenly remembered he’d tricked her into a dinner date. Well now she was very glad he was there so she could tell him under no circumstances was she going to go out with him. He was a total stranger. She didn’t go out with men she didn’t know.

  Her mother shoved past her. “Oh, and here I’m keeping her from getting ready.” She shot her hand out toward Preston. “I’m Tabby’s mother, Corinne.”

  Tabitha felt her stomach churn. Perhaps she’d become violently ill and die.

  Preston gave a gracious nod as he shook Corinne’s hand. “I see where your daughter gets her lovely looks.”

  “You are a prize.” A laugh poured fro
m her mother.

  “Well, Tab, why don’t you introduce me to your new boyfriend.” Brie walked around the counter and joined her mother by Preston’s side.

  Now not only did she feel her stomach twisting she could feel the blood drain from her face. For a moment, she wasn’t sure if the better idea was to introduce them and die or leave with the man just to escape the goofy looks from the two women who didn’t understand reality.

  “Preston, this is Brie. My least favorite friend at the moment.” She narrowed her eyes on her as Brie brushed her aside and shook Preston’s hand.

  “She didn’t mention she had a date.” The look on Brie’s face was the same as when she’d flirted her way to the bigger sale.

  “Didn’t she?”

  Preston had turned to look at her and was gazing at her. Not looking, but gazing. She’d seen that look in the men that Brie conned out of bigger sales, but they didn’t look at her that way.

  Now her mouth dried and her stomach was still very uncomfortable.

  Preston reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I can just make myself comfortable in the corner until you’re ready.”

  “She’s ready,” Brie and her mother answered in unison.

  “We’ll close up.” Brie had committed before Tabitha could protest. “I’ll get your things.”

  Within moments, her mother had helped her out of her apron and Brie had managed to slide her into her coat and tighten the ponytail at the base of her neck while Preston looked on smiling.

  “It looks like you’re all ready to go. It was a pleasure to meet you both.” Preston took Tabitha’s arm and started toward the door. “I won’t keep her out too late.”

  Tabitha let Preston guide her to his car with his hand on her elbow. Aside from the fact that the sidewalk was slick, she supposed he was being a gentleman.

  She turned back to see her mother and Brie watching from the window. She couldn’t help but wonder where she’d lost her spine. Somehow, she’d been kicked out of her own business and was going to spend the evening with a man she didn’t know. This would have been a typical night for Brie, or her mother, but certainly was a first for her.

  There was some comfort that she knew his mother. But Claire Banks was only a client, not a close and personal friend. For all Tabitha knew the entire Banks family could be a group of raving lunatics. The thought humored her. Okay, she had to be honest with herself. They didn’t seem like lunatics at all. Just a nice, well-rounded family.

  Preston opened the car door for her and she climbed into the passenger seat of the BMW as he skirted the front of the car and then climbed in next to her. The cold air blew through as he shut the door to block it out. “I would have had it all warmed up for you, but I didn’t know we’d be leaving so soon.” He started the engine and the heater kicked on.

  “I’m sorry about the two of them. Though loving, they are crazy.” She could still see them, their faces pressed against the glass of the door, grinning from ear to ear.

  “I found them endearing.” He pulled away from the curb and headed out of town. “I thought we’d head up to Morrison. I know a wonderful little sushi place.”

  He’d turned to her and she assumed he was waiting for a reaction, whether she turned up her nose or would smile. She kept her face as still as she could.

  He looked back at the road. “You don’t like sushi?”

  “I like it fine, but Morrison is a little further than I figured we’d go.” Then again, maybe he was a lunatic. Didn’t they take women up into the hills? She shook away the thought. This was why she didn’t date men she didn’t all ready know.

  He didn’t apologize or offer to turn back. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  She let out a loud huff of breath. “I didn’t plan on giving you a chance.”

  When he laughed at her, she couldn’t help but find his laughter sexy. It was low and husky. She should have felt offended that he was laughing, but she didn’t feel as though it was directed at her.

  He rested his hand on the gearshift knob. “You don’t appear to be the kind of woman who would let a man hurt her.”

  “You’re right.”

  Preston glanced casually at her. “I think I would surprise you with what I already know.”

  Tabitha narrowed her stare on him. “I would guess you spoke to your mother?”

  “Of course. She wants me to tell you she loved the selection you picked for her, by the way, and that she’ll also be calling you with a small wedding she picked up yesterday. It’s only a thirty person private wedding, but she thought she’d give you a heads up.”

  Tabitha let out a sigh when she thought about adding one more wedding, but then again, it was one more payment on her car..

  He focused back on the road. “Anyway, I told her I’d met you and asked you to dinner. She’s thrilled.”

  “Is she? I still won’t give you a discount.”

  He laughed again and she wasn’t comfortable with what it did to her. She should be infuriated that he’d somehow gotten her in his car and was laughing at her, but she couldn’t be. There was a relaxed quality about Preston Banks. It was something Tabitha had never felt around a man. When he laughed he laughed easily. When he smiled, it was genuine. And though he talked in circles to get what he wanted, he was pleasant.

  As they drove west toward the mountains, which gave Colorado its identity, with the jagged peaks of Red Rocks glowing from the setting sun, he told her of his life in luxury car sales.

  Tabitha searched her mind for small talk that would move away from how busy she was and how his mother kept adding to her workload. “How did you get into selling cars?”

  “I’ll be honest. It wasn’t a career I thought I’d choose. But right out of college my roommate tells me his dad needs some help for the summer at his car lot. I’m thinking one of those lots where the hoods are tied down, but they don’t let you see the flaws, they just sell you the car.” She nodded. She’d known a few places like that. He focused on changing lanes near the Morrison exit and eased off the highway. “So I show up the first day and of course I was stunned when it was a legit dealership which, at the time, sold Fords.”

  “So you didn’t start in luxury?”

  “I know everything there is about the Ford line.” He smiled brilliantly. “They began to expand and eventually they opened a BMW location and he sent me off to head it up.”

  “Head it up?” She turned to him. “You run it?”

  “General Manager. It’s my show.”

  She turned back. “Impressive.” He certainly knew how to manage people. The proof was her sitting in his car.

  It should have been a conversation that bored her to sleep. But he had a soothing voice, and genuine enthusiasm for what he did, and she found herself interested.

  Preston pulled into the lot outside a small building, back from the main street where small restaurants, bars, and gift shops lined. It was a rustic cabin and not what Tabitha had in mind when he’d said sushi.

  He parked the car, climbed out, and hurried to the other side and opened her door. He reached for her hand, and helped her out. The cold that hit her was different from that in the city. The air was crisper, but still. The large hills blocked the wind from blowing through them.

  When he took her hand and interlaced their fingers. She felt a surge of heat flash through her in sharp contrast to the cold that surrounded them. For a moment she couldn’t move. She could only take in the sight of him.

  His eyes and hair grew darker in the shadows of sunset. Tabitha hadn’t had time to appreciate the strong lines of his face. He was taller than she’d remembered when he’d stood on the other side of her display and she wondered if he’d worn that same scent which carried on the February breeze and penetrated her senses sending tingles over her skin.

  Preston reached for her other hand and linked their fingers as he looked down at her. “You are a beautiful woman, Tabitha. I’m so happy you weren’t just a name of a chocolate co
mpany.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips and gently brushed his lip over her knuckles before placing a soft kiss in the palm of her hand. She swallowed back thrill it sent through her.

  “Preston, please don’t get the wrong idea about tonight. It’s just dinner.”

  “That’s all I asked for if I remember correctly.”

  Tabitha nodded. Perhaps he did understand the situation.

  Because being around Preston Banks seemed to bring calm to her that she’d never felt, she’d tasted dishes she never would have tried. When it came to sushi, she was fine with the cooked items or the vegetarian rolls. Preston, however, enjoyed the more exotic. She quickly found she didn’t enjoy octopus, but she could say she’d sampled it.

  “Sushi anywhere is good. But I’ll be honest sushi in a land locked state doesn’t hold a candle to freshness of somewhere by the ocean.” He dipped a piece of tuna into his soy sauce and then ate the entire piece with his cheeks puffing out because his mouth was full.

  “Where have you gone with the best sushi?”

  Preston thought for a moment while he drank his hot tea. “There is a little place in Manhattan that is my favorite. I had it just last week when I was there. But there is a place in Maui.” He closed his eyes and smiled. “The tuna is unlike anything I’ve ever had.” He sighed and opened his eyes.

  Maui. It was funny that the mere mention of the tropical spot had her thinking that he had probably vacationed with a woman there and the focus wasn’t on the sushi and tuna at all. The thought stuck in her chest and she fought to make it go away.

  Who cared if Preston Banks had gone away on some secluded vacation with some woman? Why should she be jealous? She didn’t even know the man. The pain it caused was uncomfortable and it made her hate the whole dating process even more.

  The air was frigid when they left the restaurant, but thanks to technology, Preston had started the car from inside and when Tabitha slid onto the warm leather seat she was at ease.

  “Thank you for dinner. I had a wonderful time.”