by Aven Ellis
I sit down on the bench in front of the lockers and check my email on my iPad before heading off to grab a bite in the corporate cafeteria.
There’s an email marked URGENT from Angelique in my inbox.
I brace myself and tap on it:
From: Angelique.Whitmire-Hox@bakeit!magazine.com
To: Josephine.Rossi@bakeit!magazine.com
Date: September 4
Subject: NEW PROJECT
Josephine. You have been selected to work with reality TV star Skye Riley for a Valentine’s Day cupcake feature in the February edition. She will need your input in recipe testing/and or development. She thought your mini cannoli were, in her words, “super cute.” She lives in Los Angeles but is here tomorrow and will consult as needed to fine-tune her culinary vision for Bake It! magazine. She will ask for you tomorrow at ten o’clock.
Don’t disappoint me.
Angelique
I read the email in shock. I’m going to work with Skye Riley? This is crazy. Usually, I’m handed recipes to test. I make notes, turn them in to Angelique, and move on to my next assignment. She only ever lets me contact a contributor if there is a question or problem.
This is the first time I’m going to take an active role in development.
And with a celebrity.
This day has taken a turn, despite scrambled egg, stuffed French toast and my hard to impress boss turning her nose up at my “granny’s” cheesecake.
I’m developing recipes for a celebrity feature!
And best of all, I get to tell Cade all about it tonight.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The butterflies are swooping with elation as I head toward my apartment.
Today turned out to be so much better than I thought it would. I’m doing a development project with a celebrity. I still can’t believe it. And I love the fact that I was chosen based on my mini cannoli. I can’t help but grin wickedly as I know it had to kill Angelique to give me the assignment based on that detail.
Which makes it perfect.
I ended up contacting the chef in Salt Lake City and, as I suspected, she admitted she didn’t portion the recipe correctly for a home cook. We batted around revisions, and tomorrow I’ll test the new version. So, that project can move forward now, thank goodness.
Now I get to share everything with Cade.
I fish for my keys in my tote, and a blush warms my cheeks. We texted back and forth today, but I haven’t told him about Skye yet. He’ll flip when I share that story with him.
And oh, I can’t wait to see him tonight.
I put the key in the lock, turn it, and hear a dog barking on the other side of the door. Sierra and Jude must be back.
I enter the apartment and am greeted by Leia. I find Sierra and Jude in the living room, watching TV. Jude is sitting up, and Sierra is lying on the couch, her head in Jude’s lap as his fingers run through her hair.
I can’t help but feel joyful by simply looking at them. Jude is a great guy, and I love how happy he makes my best friend. He does romantic things all the time to show Sierra how special she is, like whisking her away for a weekend at a luxurious resort.
“Hey, welcome home,” I say cheerfully as I step inside. I take a moment to close the door behind me, and then I pet Leia, rubbing her huge head. “How was the Broadmoor?” I ask, dropping my tote on our tiny kitchen table.
Sierra sits up, a huge smile lighting up her face. “Amazing! We had the best time. You and I have to go sometime for a girls’ weekend. The spa was gorgeous. You’d love it.”
Spa. That does sound fantastic, especially because I’m on my feet all day. I’d love a foot massage and a hot stone pedicure. Maybe a nice facial.
“We did a couples massage,” Sierra continues, her eyes sparkling. “Jude surprised me. It was fantastic.”
Jude grins. “It was brilliant.”
“We also went to Seven Falls,” Sierra continues, referring to the state park, “and the waterfall was stunning. I’ll show you our pics later. We hiked and zip-lined there. It was so much fun.”
“That’s perfect for you guys,” I say, nodding. Sierra and Jude are true outdoors people, and they spend a lot of their free time doing things like kayaking and hiking.
My idea of an outdoor adventure is walking the streets of Cherry Creek North and peering into the windows of boutiques hoping to see a kick-ass sale sign.
“It was,” Sierra says, reaching for Jude’s hand and wrapping hers around it.
“But from what I hear, you’ll be discovering the great outdoors this weekend with my roommate,” Jude says, grinning at me. “After pizza tonight, that is.”
He winks at me.
Cade told Jude about me.
Ahhhh!
This is a very, very good sign.
But of course, I have to play it cool in front of Jude. I don’t want him to report back to Cade that I couldn’t shut up about him. For a man who made it clear he’s not going to fall hard and fast ever again, Cade doesn’t need my excitement to scare him off.
I should be very cautious as well. I obviously overlooked some flaws in Marco and fell in love immediately. I won’t let myself be unguarded like that ever again.
“Yes, we are,” I say calmly, as if pizza with Cade is no big deal.
I glance at Sierra, and I can tell she is dying to know everything but understands we’ll dish this out over lunch at work tomorrow.
“Cade’s a good guy,” Jude says.
“He is,” Sierra adds, nodding.
“He told me I needed to disappear this evening, so he obviously likes you,” Jude teases. “I was banished the second I dropped my suitcase.”
Heat fills my face as my blush deepens.
“Oh, stop it, Jude,” Sierra says, chiding him. Then she turns to me. “Don’t listen to him. He’s exaggerating.”
I decide to get Jude off the subject by talking about what happened at work today.
“Sierra, you won’t believe what happened at work,” I say excitedly. “I got my first development project.”
“JoJo, that’s fantastic!” Sierra says, her eyes sparkling. “Congratulations!”
“Wait, there’s more,” I say excitedly. “I’m doing it with a celebrity.”
Both Sierra and Jude stare at me.
“Who?” Sierra asks. “Can you say?”
I hesitate. I haven’t signed all the confidentiality papers for this project, so I don’t know if I should, but I also know I can trust Sierra, Jude, and Cade.
“Skye Riley from Is It Love?” I say. “But don’t breathe a word about it. I don’t know if it’s supposed to be confidential.”
“No way,” Jude says, his mouth popping open. “You mean the girl who was devastated by that wanker Tom?”
I burst out laughing. Sierra and I thought Tom, her suitor on the show, was an idiot, but Sierra told me wanker is a big step up from idiot on the scale of insults.
“Yes!”
“Oh, my God, that’s so cool!” Sierra says. “You have to get all the dirt on what it’s like dating on a reality TV show.”
“It’s not reality. The end,” Jude quips.
“I’d like to believe love is sometimes involved,” I say, the romantic in me coming out.
“She’s trying to get on TV,” Jude says.
“That’s what Cade said,” I say.
Jude arches an eyebrow. “Oh, already at the ‘that’s what Cade said’ stage?”
Oh Lord, I know I’ve turned the color of marinara sauce.
“Speaking of Cade,” I say, ignoring him, “I’ve got to get ready.”
I excuse myself, and I head to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I take a quick shower then slip into my favorite robe, which is hanging on the back of the door. I wrap my long, chestnut hair in a towel and head to my room.
I slide open the closet door and stare at my clothing. Hmmm. What does a girl wear for a pizza date with Cade Callahan?
No matter what I wear, I’m obviously going
to start in the bonus here because the last time he saw me I had my hair piled up on my head, no makeup on, and I was wearing an ancient apron. I’m going to look better than that no matter what I choose.
I flick through my shirts. I don’t want to be too dressed up, I mean, it’s pizza. But I still want to look cute.
I stop on an orange, off the shoulder dress. Oh! I bought this piece while in a funk over Marco last spring and forgot because I immediately threw it in the back of my closet. It’s a beautiful color against my olive skin, it shows off neckline and shoulders, and it hits above the knee for a flirty look.
Perfect, I think, grabbing it.
I change into my strapless bra and panties, and then I grab my scented moisturizer. I liberally apply some Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium to my legs and arms, inhaling the gourmand scent of coffee, vanilla, and flowers. Oh, the baker in me adores this perfume.
I hope Cade notices it.
A shiver shoots down my spine at the thought. I have no idea what will happen tonight, if we’ll still get along great, if the chemistry will still be there, if he’ll even kiss me—but the mere idea of him nuzzling against my neck to tell me how amazing my skin smells—
Is it hot in here?
Good Lord, I sound like my mom, who is always yelling about hot flashes.
But this is no hot flash.
It’s totally Cade-driven.
Focus. The quicker I get ready, the quicker I’ll be with Cade.
I slip into my dress and dry my hair. I use a round brush to add body, and I’m pleased with the result. My hair is shiny and full of bounce, perfect for tonight.
Next, I apply makeup, my usual amount. I’ve never needed a lot, just some mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick. I slip into some black sandals that tie around my ankles, also super cute. I slide some Kendra Scott bangles on my left wrist. Lastly, I pick up my matching Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium perfume and spray my neck and wrists, letting the gorgeous scent settle on my skin.
I set down the bottle and glance at myself one more time in the mirror. Wow. I haven’t dressed up like this in . . . forever. I study myself, and I see the natural flush in my cheeks, how my dark brown eyes dance with excitement, how I appear as happy as I feel.
I’m beautiful, I think.
And now I’m off to see Cade.
Anticipation whips down my spine, giving me goose bumps. I head back out, and Sierra and Jude both look up at me.
“Wow,” Sierra says, “you look so pretty, JoJo. That dress is gorgeous on you.”
“Thank you,” I say, smiling.
“I should warn Cade,” Jude says. “He has no idea what is about to hit him.”
I blush. “Stop it.”
“It’s the truth,” Sierra says in agreement.
I grab my tote. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Have fun,” Sierra says.
I leave, shutting the door behind me. Then I catch the elevator down to Cade’s floor. I’m nervous. Excited. Anxious to see him. Hoping our cheesecake night wasn’t a fluke.
That was no fluke, Josephine, my heart tells me. That night was special.
Cade is special.
Ding!
The elevator chimes open. I walk out, drawing a breath of air to try to calm my nerves.
Or to at least get the butterflies to travel in some kind of formation instead of the rapid swoop and dive thing they are doing right now.
I reach his apartment and ring the doorbell. Oh, God. I’m an eager mess.
And being a mess has never felt as wonderful as it does right now.
I hear footsteps and then the sound of the lock being turned.
The door opens, and Cade greets me on the other side.
I can’t speak.
He’s gorgeous.
How can he be more gorgeous than he was last night?
Okay, dumb thought, he was in a towel, but still.
I allow myself to drink him in, from the blue jeans to the contemporary, white linen shirt with the sleeves sexily pushed up, revealing his tanned and muscular forearms, to the huge silver watch on his left wrist.
Oh, dear God, the man is all kinds of hot tonight.
“Josephine,” Cade says, snapping me from my thoughts, “you look gorgeous.”
I gaze up and find he’s staring at me, which makes my heart beat three times as fast.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling at him. “You look very handsome.”
“Please, come on in,” Cade says, ushering me inside.
As I move past him, I once again detect that amazing scent lingering on his bronze skin, and my pulse burns in recognition. It’s a sensual blend.
Absolutely intoxicating.
And I could get drunk off it if I’m not careful.
Cade shuts the door and turns to me.
“You look so beautiful tonight, I feel bad ordering pizza. I should take you out.”
“You disappoint me,” I say.
“What?” Cade asks, looking confused. “You’re disappointed because I want to take you out?”
“You promised to show off your mad pizza ordering skills,” I tease, parking my tote on his countertop. “And now, just as I get here, you’re bailing? I sense your game is weak, Callahan.”
“Oh, you think I’d bring a weak game tonight?” Cade says, running his hand over his sexy-as-hell facial scruff.
“I’m a culinary school graduate. I know a good pizza from a bad one.”
“And you’re Italian. The motherland of pizza.”
“You’ve put extreme pressure on yourself. It’s risky. Dangerous, even,” I tease.
“But did you expect me to play it safe?” he asks, his jade eyes focused on mine. “Or did you expect me to take a chance with you?”
Oh, shit. I’m so not thinking about pizza right now.
We’re not playing it safe.
At least I’m not.
Cade is sexy, brilliant, witty, and a good conversationalist, and I’m just at the beginning stages of getting to know him. I like what I see already, how much further will I fall as I discover more about him?
I promised myself I’d be careful.
I wouldn’t take risks.
I wouldn’t fall for anyone right now.
But I as I stand mere inches from this man, a man unlike any other I’ve ever met, one who is drawing me in with his gorgeous mind and unusual green eyes, I know I’ve already moved from the sand to the edge of the shoreline.
The question is, will I swim or will I drown?
Either way, I already know I’m going in.
“You’re taking a chance,” I say, my heart fluttering. “And so am I.”
Our eyes remain locked on each other. There’s no question we’re not talking about pizza anymore. And, oh God, is he feeling this sexual tension like I am?
“Chances are good,” he says.
“I agree.”
“So, let’s start with pizza and see where it goes tonight,” Cade says. “And, hopefully, I won’t disappoint you.”
His words cause a tingling sensation to rush over me.
I know there’s no way Cade Callahan will disappoint me tonight.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Cade puts his pizza ordering skills to work, getting us two pizzas: a thin crust with buffalo mozzarella on marinara for me; and an Italian sausage and mushroom for himself.
“Would you like a drink while we wait?” Cade asks. “Wine? Beer? Water?”
“Beer is a necessity with pizza,” I say.
“I agree,” Cade says, going to the fridge and retrieving two cans of beer. “Have you ever had Pinestripe Red Ale?”
I shake my head. “No, I haven’t.”
“You’ll love this then. It’s great stuff. It’s a Colorado craft brew from Ska Brewing in Durango.” Cade opens a cabinet and retrieves two beer glasses. “I’m a huge fan of craft beer.”
“Then you must be in heaven here in Denver,” I say, watching as he pours the ale into a glass.
“
Yes,” Cade says, placing the beer in front of me. “The craft beer scene is fantastic in Denver. And so creative. Have you been to Crooked Stave? They’re famous for their sour beers.”
“Okay, your craft beer game is strong,” I say. “And as a foodie, I’m embarrassed to say this. Mine is weak. I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“You’d love Crooked Stave,” he declares. “It’s definitely in your wheelhouse. Your fine-tuned palate would go nuts there. There’s a blueberry one I like. I’m sure you could break it down and figure out why I like it.”
“Oh, yes, I would like to try that place,” I say, pausing to pick up my ale. “But first, I need to sample this.”
“I don’t think you merely sample anything. You’re in full-on break it down mode the second you sip, aren’t you?”
“I can’t taste anything without going through the process in my head. It’s my foodie brain at work. So here it goes.”
First I smell it, inhaling the toasty aroma of the brew. Then I take a sip, and my taste buds quickly go to work. First, I detect the flavor of caramel malt. Mild hops. Then a lovely fruity finish.
“Mmm,” I say, putting the beer down. “That’s very nice.”
Cade takes a sip of his as well. “What did you taste?”
I smile flirtatiously at him. “I might tell you later. A girl’s got to have some secrets, you know.”
Okay, hello, where did sexy JoJo come from?
“So that one is locked in the briefcase?” Cade asks, staring at me.
Heat fills me from his quick response. What is it about bantering that is so damn sexy?
I decide to go 2 for 2 in the sexiness department and somehow formulate a quick reply.
“For now. But I do have other classified information I’d like to share with you,” I say.
“Sounds serious. Let’s go to the living room to break it down.”
I laugh and he does, too.
We take our same seats on the sofa, the imaginary briefcase sitting between us.
I go to put my beer on the end table but don’t see a coaster. “Do you have a coaster I can put this on?”
