Sugarcoated

by Erin Nicholas

  She told Maggie about Maria and her daughter and how Aiden had been coaching Jane, how he’d been on all the guys to get things done, how hard he’d been working, and how much he’d been worrying.

  Maggie was frowning again by the time Zoe finished. But she shook her head and laughed softly.

  “What?” Zoe asked.

  “Even knowing what he’s working on and what he’s worried about, now I’m worried about him. I want to make him a casserole and some of this new lotion I found a recipe for on Pinterest. It’s supposed to help with relaxation. And I want to give him a pep talk and a hug and tell him it’s all going to be okay.”

  Zoe felt her eyes stinging. “I know what you mean. This is really important to him.”

  “And he’s really important to us.”

  Zoe nodded. “Yeah. He is.”

  “And he’s doing it for the right reasons.”

  Zoe nodded again.

  “Then we have to support him,” Maggie said resolutely. “Because we love him.”

  Zoe agreed. Wholeheartedly. “Even if we think Grandma would be upset?” she asked.

  Maggie smiled. “Well, the truth is, Grandma wasn’t right about everything. I mean, she never put enough peanut butter in the peanut butter cookies and her lemon meringue pie was always too tart. And the stubborn woman wouldn’t change those recipes even when I told her that.”

  Zoe sniffed, aware that her eyes were even more watery now. But she laughed. “Maybe that’s why Didi didn’t steal those recipes.”

  Maggie chuckled. “Maybe.” She leaned over and cupped Zoe’s cheek. “I am very happy about you and Aiden.”

  “Thanks. I am too.”

  “But I am still never going to eat a Hot Cakes snack cake. Don’t even think of bringing any of those over here.”

  Zoe just nodded and smiled. She was never going to tell her mother that she’d cheated on the Buttered Up’s cream filling with not one, but two, different Hot Cakes.

  19

  Aiden was very grateful that it wasn’t winter. It got damned cold in Iowa.

  Fortunately for him, it was a very pleasant sixty degrees as he approached the front door of Buttered Up in bare feet and nothing but a pair of pink silk boxers—the same pink as the teddy Zoe had worn on Christmas Eve—and a matching tie.

  She did love him in ties.

  Aiden turned the corner and hesitated for just a second when he saw the usual morning line spilling out of the front door of Buttered Up.

  Then he took a deep breath and kept going. This was why he’d decided to do this now. The bigger the crowd the better. He needed to be vulnerable, take a risk, show her that he was willing to put himself out there even when he didn’t know what the outcome would be.

  A huge crowd of Appleby residents, mostly men, witnessing his apology and declaration of love in nothing but boxers and a tie was appropriate.

  “Excuse me,” he said, stepping through the line toward the door.

  “Uh, line starts back there, man,” someone Aiden didn’t recognize said.

  “I’m not here for the muffins,” he said.

  He got a couple of wolf whistles and heard someone behind him say, “I didn’t realize this was a clothing-optional place.”

  Another voice responded, “I hope that applies to the bakery staff too.”

  Aiden thought for one second about stopping and turning back and explaining very loudly and very clearly that he would pummel anyone who said anything else like that. But he didn’t have time. They didn’t matter. Only Zoe mattered.

  “What are you here for, then?” Zach Miller was the guy currently standing in the doorway, propping the door open, and more or less, blocking access to the bakery. His eyes scanned over Aiden.

  “I’m here to make an ass of myself.”

  Zach nodded. “Well, then, so far, so good.” He moved, giving Aiden a space to step through the bakery door.

  “Thanks.” Aiden hoped that none of the men in heavy work boots stepped back and onto his toes before he could get to the counter.

  His arrival wasn’t announced by the little bell that tinkled every time someone came into the bakery. But it didn’t matter. The crowd parted for him as one after another of the men noticed the mostly naked guy in pink.

  Aiden took a deep breath. This was definitely going to get around town. He doubted too many of these men had Instagram or Snapchat accounts, but he wouldn’t be surprised if there were some photos and maybe even a video or two popping up after this.

  That was all good.

  Being vulnerable with Zoe was going to take him some time. And practice. He wasn’t especially good at that. But he needed some gesture to show her that he’d heard what she said, understood what she needed, and was willing and able to deliver.

  The guy checking out at the register was the only one who hadn’t noticed him. Well, that guy and Zoe, who was ringing up his purchase and chatting about his new granddaughter.

  She looked so damned gorgeous.

  Aiden had given her space last night. He hadn’t called or texted, though he’d started to about twenty times. He’d hoped she’d reach out to him, but she hadn’t.

  He’d crashed on the sofa in Dax’s suite. He’d also emptied six of the little bottles of liquor in Dax’s mini fridge then borrowed several ibuprofen and charged room service to Dax’s account this morning. But Dax had been the one to help him come up with this plan, and Dax had been the one to go out with him on the hunt for pink silk boxers in Dubuque, and Dax had been the one to sweet talk the sales guy at the trendy men’s clothing store into rummaging through their storeroom even though it was closing time.

  Aiden swore that Dax could charm a charging bull if he needed to.

  Finally, the guy at the register moved, and Zoe looked up to help the next customer.

  Him.

  She froze. Then her eyes tracked over him, widening as they did. Her mouth dropped open.

  “You were right,” he said, before she could say anything.

  He was aware of the crowd pressing in and spreading out, leaving the line so they could move farther into the bakery for a better view. And to better hear what was going on.

  Josie came through the door from the kitchen with more to-go boxes in her hands. She froze, her eyes going wide, one box sliding off the top of the stack and hitting the floor.

  “I’m not good at being vulnerable,” he went on, focusing on Zoe. A draft of air brushed past his legs, reminding him of how little he had on. He ignored it and went on. “I always want to know the game plan ahead of time, and I want a sure thing. But I shouldn’t have done that with you. I don’t need to do that with you. I don’t need a game plan that includes anything more than knowing you’re on the field with me. I told you last night that I want to be like you. You’ve learned to take a chance, to put yourself out there, even when you’re scared and have no idea how it’s going to turn out.”

  He swallowed hard. His heart was thundering. Not because he was half naked in public in Appleby, but because he was about to give Zoe the chance to make a fool of him. He’d rejected her when she’d come to him in pink lingerie. She’d put herself out there with him and he’d shot her down. That had been behind closed doors, but that had been a very vulnerable moment for her. Then she’d come around and given him a chance to see her vulnerable again. More than once. She’d trusted him and he’d screwed it up.

  Now she could get back at him for that. She could give him a taste of feeling like an idiot. She could shoot him down in front of all these people.

  She was currently staring at him with an unreadable expression. But she wasn’t trying to stop him.

  “I have no idea how this is going to go right here and right now,” he said. “I have no idea if this is going to be a touchdown or if I’m going to get knocked on my ass.” He spread his arms wide. “I’m not good at not being good at things, but even if this turns out horribly, here I am. I’m ready to be vulnerable with you. To give you everything you’ve giv
en me. I know this is small compared to what you’ve done, but this is the start.”

  Her expression softened, and he thought he saw a little sparkle in her eyes, but she crossed her arms and propped her hip against the counter, clearly waiting for him to go on.

  So he dropped to one knee and held out the tiny velvet box he’d been clutching in his hand. Unfortunately, that move put him down in front of the register, blocking her view.

  He still went on. “Zoe McCaffery, I love you. I want to be with you, no matter what. I will give up Hot Cakes for you. I will work in this bakery for you frosting cookies and running the register if that’s what you need from me. But whatever else, I just want to be with you and make you happy and remind you every single day that you’re amazing and funny and smart and brave. Please marry me.”

  It felt like the entire bakery was holding its breath. No one said a word. No one even shifted their feet or cleared their throats.

  Finally, Zoe shifted. She moved to the register and peered down at him over it. She took in the sight of him, kneeling on the bakery floor, in pink silk, holding out a ring box.

  She drew a deep breath. Then she turned to grab something lying on the worktable before coming around the end of the counter to stand in front of him.

  “You can’t give up Hot Cakes,” were her first words to him. She reached down and tugged on his arm, making him stand. “This town needs you to save Hot Cakes. And you need to do the town hall, and tell everyone that you’re involved because it will reassure them that everything is going to be okay. Because you always make everything okay for the people you love.” She held up the item she’d grabbed from the worktable. It was a tube of frosting. She uncapped the end and held it up. “And I’ll be right there with you—and so will Mom and Dad and Henry—reassuring everyone that everything is fine, that the feud is over, and we are going to make both of these businesses a huge success.”

  She reached for his tie, ran her hand down the length of it from the knot at his throat to the end, where it rested on the waistband of the boxers. She smiled and flipped it over his shoulder.

  “As for the rest of it, yes Aiden, I will marry you.” She put the end of the tube of frosting against his chest and started drawing with it.

  Aiden felt his heart thundering as relief and love and a definite feeling of holy-shit-I-don’t-deserve-her-but-thank-you-God rushed through him.

  “I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Especially after everything you’ve taught me about frosting and cream filling.”

  She stepped back. Aiden looked down at his chest. She’d written MINE in pink frosting. On him.

  “And no one will ever look better in pink than you do,” she said, smiling up at him.

  He reached for her then, pulling her in, tipping her back and putting his mouth against hers. “Except for you.” Then he kissed her. Hot and deep and sweet, full of promises and apologies and gratitude.

  The bakery erupted with applause and laughter, and Aiden felt people moving in closer, congratulating them and saying things like, “Well, damn, you don’t see that every day,” and “I’m going to need a dozen cupcakes with that pink icing to take home tonight,” and “Hell, do you just sell the icing by itself?”

  Aiden let her go after several long minutes.

  The front of her apron was covered with sticky pink smears, but it was clear she didn’t mind. She was looking up at him with a bright smile that was full of love and humor, and he knew that he was forgiven. Not that he was completely done making it up to her.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice gruff and soft under the noise around them. “God, Zoe, thank you. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me. I love you.” He shook his head, still overwhelmed himself over how he felt about her. “I love you so damned much.”

  “I love you too,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m so stubborn and set in my ways.”

  “You act like I didn’t expect it,” he said with a smile. “Remember, I’ve known you for a very long time.”

  She nodded. “You have. You know me almost better than I know myself.”

  “I do,” he agreed, relief and love and anticipation and a happiness he almost couldn’t believe, rushing through him. “Like right now, I know that you really want to take the rest of the day off. With me.”

  She gave him a slow, sexy smile. “I really do.”

  “It’s the tie, right?”

  “It’s definitely partly the tie.” She took his hand and turned, starting for the kitchen.

  “Hey, we need cupcakes and shit!” someone called.

  “I can help with that.”

  Zoe and Aiden looked over to find Whitney standing to the side, in front of the bakery cases.

  “Whitney,” Aiden said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

  “Dax called and told me what you were planning. I wanted to come down and beg Zoe not to make you choose between her or Hot Cakes. Because I know we’d be the ones losing out on that one.”

  “But… you want to help wait on customers here?” Zoe asked.

  “I think I can handle it,” Whitney said, eyeing the bakery case. “Josie might have to run the register. I haven’t done that in a really long time. But I definitely know the difference between scones and cookies, and I’m happy to serve them up to people.” She looked up at Aiden. “I really want Aiden to stay in charge at Hot Cakes. We do need him. We all need him.” She focused on Zoe again. “So I’m happy to help with whatever it takes to keep you happy, so he doesn’t have to choose. And it seems that maybe having him take you home right now—with that tube of frosting—is a good way to keep you happy.”

  Zoe laughed. And did not disagree. She looked up at Aiden. “You would really give Hot Cakes up for me?”

  “I would.” He didn’t even have to think about it for a second.

  “But that would be stupid. They need you and you love it.”

  “I love you more.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t have to give stuff up, Aiden. Not stuff that’s important to you. You just have to be willing to talk it out with me and convince me of your side.”

  “I’m so fucking glad you’re willing to let me do that.”

  “Well, just keep the glove compartment in your car stocked, and I think you’ll have plenty of negotiating power,” she said with a sexy little smile.

  God, he loved her. He held out the ring. “Put this on.”

  “My pleasure.” She slipped the ring onto her left hand.

  Aiden wasn’t sure he’d ever felt as happy or possessive as he did seeing his ring on her hand, binding them together.

  He bent and swung her up into his arms. They were done here for today. “Thanks, Whit. Just follow Josie’s directions and you’ll be fine,” he said. “Oh, and you can talk to Josie about the cake pops.”

  Zoe looked back over his shoulder as he pushed through the swinging doors and into the kitchen. “You think she’ll be okay?”

  “The men come here for pastries and to flirt with pretty girls before work, right? Yes, I think Whitney will be just fine,” Aiden said.

  Zoe laughed.

  “Oh, and by the way, last night we decided we should ply everyone with champagne and cake pops at the town hall. So you’re about to get a huge order,” Aiden said.

  “Well… great,” she said, clearly a little surprised, but also pleased. “But you’re going to serve cake to people who make cake all day?”

  “You think bartenders never crack open a beer after work or that plumbers never have to fix pipes at home? I think the people who work at Hot Cakes probably eat cake at parties.”

  She shrugged. “Good point.” Then she added, “And since you know me so well, you probably know that I’m going to charge Hot Cakes double for those cake pops.”

  Aiden chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

  The second they got through the door to the house, Aiden kicked it shut and backed her up against it. He took her face in his hands, looking into her eyes.
/>   “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He kissed her, long and hot and sweet. Then he lifted his head. “You really will marry me?”

  “Of course.”

  He kissed her again. Then said, “Get naked for me.”

  “Definitely.” She reached behind her for the zipper of her dress.

  He stopped her. “My bedroom.”

  “Christmas Eve do-over?” she asked, one eyebrow arched.

  “The rest of our lives beginning,” he said.

  Her expression immediately softened. “Yeah.”

  He watched her for several seconds. “Zoe?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Naked. My bedroom. Now.”

  She took a deep breath. “I really love the bossy, dirty side of you.”

  “Good.” He very much intended to keep up with all that. “But,” he added. “I might be out of surprises.”

  “That’s too bad. I was just starting to think about how much I like your surprises. And how much I like surprising myself.”

  Aiden’s heart swelled. They’d known each other forever, but they were still getting to know one another. And themselves. And that would never really stop.

  “You know, scratch that,” he said. “I think there are more surprises ahead. Neither of us is the person that we were even on Christmas Eve. Or when I walked back into the bakery a few days ago. Or when I walked in there this morning. Or who we’ll be a year from now. Or ten years from now. Or even who we’ll be after this town hall.”

  Her eyes were shiny as she smiled up at him. “That is a really good point. I love that,” she added softly.

  “Me too,” he said, reaching for her zipper himself and drawing it down. “And promise that if I ever stop surprising you completely, you’ll call me on it.”

  “Deal. And ditto,” she said as her dress slipped down her body leaving her in only a tiny pair of panties.

  Pink panties.

  “And if I ever bitch about not wanting to change something, you remind me that if I hadn’t changed, I wouldn’t have you.”