Whole Latte Love (The Jewells)

by Ayala, Rachelle

  “Your tour, of course.” Carina drew a bottle from a bucket filled with ice. “Want to help me pop it?”

  Not exactly. But she seemed to be happy he was leaving, so who was he to spoil her fun? Besides, parting as friends was better than never being able to see her again.

  Dylan took the champagne bottle and peeled off the foil while Carina set three flutes on the picnic table.

  The cork popped, followed by the gushing champagne which spilled all over Sallie whose tail thumped between Dylan’s and Carina’s legs.

  After Dylan filled the stems, Carina handed one to Gordie and raised her glass. “A toast to Dylan Jewell. You’re a true diamond in the rough. Congratulations on your tour. And may your success be as big as your heart.”

  “Aye, aye! Dylan Jewell, you’re the man.” Gordie clinked his flute with Dylan’s and Carina’s. “To success.”

  “Thanks.” Dylan tapped Carina’s champagne glass. “I’m not sure of success until I hire a financial whiz to manage my foundation. Will you consider working for me?”

  He caught her eye and gave her a meaningful look.

  Gordie picked up his pipe and started playing “My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose.” About time he helped him with more appropriate music.

  Carina blushed and looked flustered while fingering the hippie heart necklace she wore. “I … I don’t know.”

  Dylan took a deep breath. He’d go for broke or spend the rest of his life in regret.

  “I want to propose a toast.” He took her hand. “Carina, you turned my rust into diamonds and my ruin into pearls. My heart will never break while you walk this earth. Whether you’re by my side, or clear across the globe, every whisper of the wind and every swish of the sea will speak my love for you.”

  Carina froze and her eyes grew big. “Is this real?”

  In an single motion he pulled her close to him. She stumbled and he caught her.

  “As real as the toe you’re stepping on. Ouch.”

  “Oh, sorry.” She gasped, moving her foot off his shoe.

  “No more sorrows. Are you ready to live your dreams?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes moistened.

  “Come with me wherever I go. I don’t know what the future holds, but I guarantee you every moment will be an adventure I want to share with you.”

  Her cheeks dimpled as she smiled. “But you haven’t heard me fiddle yet. How do you know I’ll be any good?”

  “For what I have in mind, you’ll be good, more than good.” He dipped his forehead to hers. “I love you, Carina Chen. Please say you’ll be my best roommate forever.”

  “As long as I get your heart every morning. I love you, too, Dylan Jewell.”

  Chapter 32

  Wind chimes jingled at the front of The Brewed Force as a customer pressed her nose to the glass door. Joanne had temporarily closed the coffee shop to prepare for Dylan’s going away party.

  Carina smiled at the harried-looking business woman and pointed to the sign saying to come back for the party. But the woman tapped the glass at the display of candy bars and pantomimed extreme hunger.

  “Okay, okay.” Joanne broke off from taping streamers, opened the door, and handed her a granola bar. “We’ll be opening soon. There’ll be a live band and lots of food. You’re welcome to stay.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t.” The woman flung a few bills onto the counter. “Have to get back to the office.”

  She hurried out of the store, her mouth half-full of granola, no doubt about ready to pass out from low blood sugar.

  Gina walked up to Joanne. “You want me to take the cups from the dishwasher and stack them?”

  She and Tammy were The Brewed Forces’ newest employees. Dylan had trained both girls for their jobs and paid their first three months rent at a low-income apartment.

  Carina tied an apron around Gina’s expanding waistline. “Promise me you’ll text me a picture of the baby.”

  “I just hope I won’t go in labor while at work.” Gina balanced a tray with empty cups and bowls.

  Dylan snapped a dishtowel their direction. “What better place to have the baby than here? Joanne is a certified nurse mid-wife.”

  “Among all her other skills,” Betsy chimed in. “She was a UNIX kernel hacker back in the good old days.”

  “Will someone help me with these streamers?” Joanne shouted from the front of the store. “I can’t reach the top of the alcove.”

  Dylan swaggered toward her. “What are you girls going to do once I’m gone?”

  “Make more than latte hearts.” Gina giggled. “I can make a skull and crossbones.”

  “That’s impressive,” Carina said. “Anyone in particular you want to make them for?”

  “I’m not telling.” Gina smiled, eyeing the members of Dylan’s band who were setting up their amps and instruments on a makeshift stage made of wooden pallets.

  Carina wandered to the front of the shop and glanced out the window. She was going to miss Berkeley. Even though she’d spent only two months here, she’d always consider Berkeley her home. Stepping back, she surveyed the flyers on the wall. A tattered one featured Dylan’s band, The Licked Blues, giving a concert at The Underground. It was the same poster she’d spied the evening she met Dylan.

  “All done,” Dylan announced, descending the ladder. “Car, help me with the canapés?”

  He gave her a mouthwatering kiss which shot shivers over her. No matter how many times he kissed her, she’d never get over how swoon-inducing he was. Closing her eyes, she gave into the tantalizing sensations and kissed him back lustfully.

  “Get a room,” Nico shouted from the bandstand while Paul and Vic whistled and catcalled.

  Carina grinned at them and averted her eyes. She would have to get used to the raucous bunch since she was going to be their financial manager as well as publicist, blogger, and organizer, making sure they had their boarding passes and didn’t trash their hotel rooms.

  “The canapés?” Dylan laced his fingers between hers.

  “Sure.” She followed him into the kitchen where Tammy was arranging tiny bits of meats, cheese, sprigs of herbs, chopped cucumber, and curly watercress onto pieces of bread and crackers. She had a laptop open to a website full of colorful recipes.

  “Here, try some,” Tammy said.

  Dylan gave Carina a cracker spread with humus and topped with petite cherry tomato and grape halves.

  “Mmm … these are great,” Carina said. “Need any help?”

  “Sure.” Tammy pointed to the laptop. “I have so many ideas. Pick one you want to assemble next. I brought some fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden.”

  Carina was amazed at how creative Tammy was. When she didn’t have a particular ingredient, she’d improvise. She was also artistic in her designs, paying attention to each curl, flake, or crumb. Carina got lost in all the variations as she helped Tammy arrange the toppings on the finger foods.

  “Shall I set these out?” Dylan looked out the kitchen door. “Looks like Joanne let everyone in early.”

  “Don’t put a tray next to Gordie,” Tammy said. “He’ll pick all the meat off them and leave the veggies.”

  “You’re the boss.” Dylan laughed and gave Tammy a kiss on the cheek.

  Tammy wiped a corner of her eye. “I’m going to miss you two.”

  “Hey, no crying until after the party.” Dylan patted her shoulder and took a tray.

  Carina grabbed another tray and followed him. People were already streaming in and taking seats in front of the stage. A group of young women squealed when they saw Dylan.

  “Wheee! Dylan Jewell, take a picture with me?” a curly headed brunette bounced toward him.

  Her friend waved a camera. “Over here. Let me get in too.”

  He posed with them as they took selfies with him and almost spilled the food off his tray when another woman jumped him from behind.

  Carina hurriedly placed her tray on the counter near Gordie, who was regaling Dylan’s siste
r with tales about Scotland.

  “Here, let me take your pictures,” Carina said to the line of fans and groupies.

  “Sorry about the commotion.” Dylan kissed her. “You’re the best. Thanks for helping out.”

  Not a problem. She couldn’t blame any of the women for wetting themselves whenever Dylan was around. But since he only had eyes for her, she didn’t mind. Besides, the more he was mobbed, the more he wanted quiet time alone with her.

  After taking the pictures, Carina turned toward the booths where Sheila, Van, and Carina’s father sat.

  “We’re going to miss you.” Sheila stood to hug her. “I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.”

  Carina squeezed her tightly. “Remember that first day when I came in here with you and met Dylan?”

  “Ah, so it was your fault,” Carina’s father said with a laugh.

  “Where are Mom and Eddie?” She hugged him.

  “Still meeting with the video game developers,” he replied. “That was the best thing to come from your summer here.”

  Even though the Crowns and Thrones merger had fallen through thanks to Carina’s honest numbers, Dave Jewell had agreed to a joint venture with the video game company and hired Carina’s brother as the consultant for a new line of Imperial Chinese games.

  “Better than Dylan?” Carina teased.

  “Can’t expect your father to get excited about a guy who’s taking his daughter to the Congo.”

  The area had been torn by civil war for years, resulting in an entire generation of orphans in need of shelter and education. Dylan’s objective was to raise funds through a series of tours through the US and Europe, followed by a trip to vet the aid groups.

  Van put his arm around Carina. “I’m glad you showed up this summer, because otherwise I wouldn’t have met Sheila.”

  “Are you saying?” Carina glanced from Sheila to Van and back. “Wait a second, Sheila! When did this happen?”

  Sheila gave Van a smacking kiss and beamed at Carina. “Remember when you went missing? Van was so worried he called me. We drove all over Berkeley looking for you.”

  “Sorry I caused you so much trouble. But yay for you and Van!” Carina bounced on her toes, happy for her friends. “You have to tell me everything after the party.”

  Sheila gave Carina a hip bump and raised her eyebrow. “Definitely not everything. Enjoy your party.”

  Carina kissed Sheila and headed back to the kitchen for another tray of hors d’oeuvres.

  When she returned, the band was playing oldies from the eighties, and people were dancing between the tables. Carina couldn’t help admiring Dylan, the way he strummed his guitar and flipped his head while he sang, even though his hair was banker short. He trained his gaze on her, and tingles ran up and down her, followed by goose bumps. She sighed.

  The front door opened with a gust and Dylan hit a dissonant chord. Rebecca strode through the entrance. She was wearing a royal purple Armani suit, platform pumps, as if she needed any more height, and her hair was done in a fluffy, multi-layered updo, designed to highlight each subtle shade of red from strawberry to auburn.

  Dylan’s father trailed behind her, holding her python skin handbag. Behind them, Dave Jewell and his gorgeous wife, Jen, slid in and stayed near the entrance.

  Carina’s stomach clenched. Even though she had the smoking gun recording of Rebecca explaining her unsavory business practices, nothing came of it because the equations Carina put into the spreadsheet were triggered on the day of the presentation and the correct values were shown. Therefore, no fraud had been committed.

  “Allow me to introduce myself.” Rebecca marched straight for the stage and yanked the mic from Dylan mid-chorus. “I’m Rebecca Morley, and I’m here on behalf of Ava Jewell, founder of Warspring International.”

  Count on Rebecca to grab the spotlight and claim Dylan’s mother’s charity. Carina shot Dylan a sympathetic look. His face remained impassive as he flipped a this-is-the-best-reason-for-leaving shrug at her.

  Rebecca cleared her throat into the mic. “Ava, as you all know, was a woman passionate about leaving the world a better place than she found it. She was an idealistic and compassionate woman who traveled tirelessly to ensure the charities she funded were actively helping children affected by war.”

  Rebecca put her hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “I’m proud and happy to pass the torch to Ava’s son and my friend, Dylan, who will take Warspring to the next level. He and his friends will revisit the places Ava supported. In addition to entertainment, they will bring knowledge and business skills to some of the most dangerous, war torn areas on this planet.”

  The enthusiastic crowd clapped and cheered. Rebecca leaned over and kissed Dylan on the cheek. “Will you do me the honor of singing ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ with me? It was your mother’s favorite song.”

  Sheila wandered over and put her arm around Carina. “Don’t worry about her. You’ll have him for the rest of his life. She’s only got the next few minutes.”

  Dylan spoke into the mic. “Thank you, Rebecca. Before I sing a tribute to my mother, I’d like to acknowledge your part in helping me find my true love. Fate had a way of bringing her to me, just like my mother believed.”

  A hush fell across the crowd and Carina sucked in a breath.

  Dylan held his hand toward her. “Carina, will you join me on stage?”

  “Good, she doesn’t even have a few minutes.” Sheila gave Carina a push. “Go on.”

  Carina walked by the bar, catching Gordie’s eye. He gave her a wink and a thumbs up. Her confidence grew as she stepped into the spotlight.

  “I love you, Carina Chen.” Dylan pulled her close and popped a kiss on her lips. “With you by my side, there’ll be nothing I can’t do. You are the jewel in my heart, the song on my lips, the sweetness in my dreams. I’m the luckiest man alive.”

  Carina snuggled into his chest. She was the luckiest woman alive.

  She had Dylan Jewell, and she had all the time in the world for him.

  THE END

  I’d love to hear your thoughts about Whole Latte Love. Please consider leaving a review on your blog or at the site of an online retailer. Your opinions are important!

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  Aloha!

  Acknowledgments

  Once again, I wish to thank all the wonderful readers and critique partners who made Whole Latte Love possible. First of all, Melissa Foster challenged me to write a pure romance. Melisa Hamling made me believe I could do it, and Chantel Rhondeau loved everything I wrote. Meanwhile, Racquel Reck bolstered me through the entire critiquing process with late night messages and detailed chats about stuff you wouldn’t want to know about.

  Whole Latte Love is set in Berkeley, California. During the time of its writing, I made multiple field trips to Berkeley, both to visit my son who was a senior at Cal and with my walking partner, Pat Carter, who introduced me to that Berkeley icon, Top Dog, the best tasting hot dogs for $3, tax included. We enjoyed many hours strolling through the streets of Berkeley, sipping cappuccino, visiting UC Berkeley, reading the poems on Addison Avenue, and walking to People’s Park.

  My cousin, Sandra Chiao, accompanied me on “research trips” to San Francisco so I could experience the ride under the Bay on BART as well as walk around the Financial District and Ferry Building. She also took me to the annual Berkeley Kite Festival at Cesar Chavez Park and showed around me her neighborhood in Berkeley.

  I appreciate my critique partners: Kathryn Sparrow, Racquel Reck, annamaria bazzi, Terry, Tracy P. L. Tey, Jill Bitner, and Suzie Quint, who patiently plodded through week after week of chapters. My beta readers were awesome: Jessica Cassidy, Racquel Reck, C. K. Raggio, Melisa Hamling, Chantel Rhondeau, a
nd Ruth Davis. They gave me the final feedback I needed to get this project finished.

  My editor, Lauren McKellar, my cover artist, Natasha Brown, and my proofreader, Amanda Phillips, added professionalism to this book. I’m thankful for their attention and continued help with my projects.

  As always, I am grateful for everyone who reads my books. You are the reason I write and my heartfelt hope is that you enjoy Dylan and Carina’s story as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you.

  About the Author

  Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic fiction crossing genres and boundaries featuring strong but flawed characters. She loves romance and mystery with happy endings.

  Visit her at: Website: http://rachelleayala.me

  Blog: http://www.rachelleayala.com or follow @AyalaRachelle on Twitter.

  Subscribe to mailing list for upcoming books and giveaways. http://eepurl.com/lR5kv

  Other Books by Rachelle

  If you liked Dylan and Carina, you’ll love Evie Sánchez, a medical student on temporary leave of absence, and hot, studly Romeo García, the ‘one who got away.’

  Taming Romeo

  Copyright © 2014 Rachelle Ayala

  Evie Sanchez is recovering from heartbreak by working at her parents’ Filipino restaurant when in walks Romeo Garcia, the boy she left behind. Only now, he’s a hot movie star surrounded by gorgeous actresses and adoring fans.

  Bad boy Romeo Garcia never understood why Evie stood him up at the prom. When he rescues her from a flying coconut in the dumpster, he is determined to dig into her heart for the reason. Their mutual attraction and unresolved feelings ignite in a scintillating night of daring sex, and Romeo shows Evie what she’ll miss the rest of her life if she walks away again.

  Evie lands a part as Romeo’s co-star and falls into her role, totally in love. He plays his part, too, with his romantic gestures and skillful lovemaking. But is the fantasy real or revenge? Evie and Romeo are about to discover if their buried feelings will explode in pure delight or utter disaster.