My Sweetheart (Book 3 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Read online

  “Oh look, they’re getting ready to start. Have you seen the Haka before?” Meredith asked, her eyes glued to the field.

  Jane shook her head. “What is a Haka?”

  Meredith grinned. “Just watch.”

  Jane gasped lightly as she saw Tate run onto the field and join his teammates. And then he ripped his shirt off. Jane’s mouth fell open and her eyes went wide.

  “Oh my,” she whispered as Meredith laughed at her face.

  All of the men ripped off their shirts and began chanting and stomping the ground and clapping their hands and doing movements that she didn’t understand.

  “It’s an old tradition brought over from the islands. It’s supposed to make the other team tremble with fear,” Meredith said and then pumped her fist with the rest of the crowd, screaming her approval.

  Jane ignored the crowd and the noise as she stared at Tate, her heart racing. She was done for. She’d had an impossible time getting over Tate before. After seeing him do the Haka there was absolutely no hope for her now.

  The crowd calmed down as everyone finished and put their shirts on and got into formation. The ref blew his whistle and something that looked like a mix of football, wrestling and soccer began. She’d never seen anything like it. All other sports were easy for her to figure out, but this game had her stumped.

  “I have no clue what’s going on,” she admitted halfway through the game.

  Meredith laughed at her and shook her head in derision. “Well, you better figure it out quick because you’re coming to every game with me. Someone has to protect me from Feke and Tawni.”

  Jane laughed as Tawni plopped down beside Meredith. “What are you doing up here in the stands? You always stand with me by the players.”

  Meredith grimaced and raised an eyebrow at Jane before answering. “Oh I’m just getting to know Jane a little. She doesn’t know anything about the game and I’m trying to help her out.”

  Jane snorted. Meredith hadn’t explained one thing about the game.

  Tawni frowned and looked at Jane. “What’s to understand? Come on. Both of you. If Feke doesn’t see me cheering for him he can’t concentrate,” she said and pulled Meredith up and then dragged her down the bleachers. How, she wondered, could a little thing like that be so strong?

  Meredith yelled back for her to come with her, but Jane shook her head. There was no way she could stand just feet away from where Tate would be. He’d think she was stalking him or something equally humiliating. She watched the game, gasping at the violence. There were no pads to protect the players and the ref didn’t seem to be inclined to call any fouls. She watched in horror as a man from the other team flat out punched Tristan in the stomach before knocking him down. The crowd erupted in fury and during the next play, Tate took the man down so hard he bounced off the ground. She cringed and wondered how many people would be going to the hospital that night. She blinked in surprise as the man stood up and ran back to his team. Insane. That was the only word that described Rugby.

  After the game was over and their team had won, Meredith ran up the bleachers and grabbed her hand. “Come on! Everyone wants to know who made the cupcakes. This will be a great way to meet new people. They’re practically gone.”

  Jane swallowed nervously as she was pulled to the table with all of the desserts and drinks.

  “Here she is! My new best friend and real live baker too. She’s professional people,” she announced proudly.

  Jane smiled shyly as the men grinned at her and shouted out compliments. And then Tate was standing in front of her with one of her chocolate fudge cupcakes in his hand. He stared at her unsmiling for a moment before he gestured to the field and the people.

  “What are you doing here Jane?” he asked softly as his eyes bored into hers with something that looked a lot like suspicion.

  Jane shrugged and looked away feeling embarrassed and guilty for some reason.

  “She’s here with me Tate. I invited her and I’m so glad I did. Tristan’s on his third cupcake. Save one for me!” Meredith yelled and hurried off, leaving Jane and Tate alone.

  Tate glanced after Meredith and then back at her. “You’re friends with Meredith? Since when?” he asked, in the same voice he’d probably use during an interrogation.

  Jane looked down at her feet and sighed. “Meredith and I are both on this match and mingle website. With Layla and Kit getting married, they’re always busy and I’ve been um, . . . kind of lonely I guess. I figured it was time I got out and made some new friends. If my being here at your games makes you uncomfortable, I won’t come again,” she said, shoving her hands in her pockets and wanting to die.

  Tate stared at her stonily for a moment and then sighed, his face relaxing. “Sorry, it was just a shock to see you here is all. Come any time you want. And thanks for bringing the cupcakes,” he said and then walked away.

  She watched him walk toward a large group of Samoan people who must be his relatives. A large older woman with black hair in a bun and a floral caftan style dress thumped him on the back before a large man with salt and pepper hair grabbed him in what looked like a painful hold but was meant to show affection obviously. Tate took it all in, turning to the side to say something to a young teenage boy. She saw him smile easily as he was enveloped by his family and frowned.

  What would it be like to have such a large family? She had no mother, no father and now she was losing her sisters.

  She was completely alone.

  “Hi there.”

  Jane turned away from watching Tate and saw a large chest. She had to look up, way up to see a large Samoan man smiling down at her. She recognized him from the game. He’d taken down half the other team. She smiled nervously up at him.

  “Hi,” she said, her voice sounding squeaky.

  The man grinned and gestured to the dessert table. “You the one who made the cupcakes?” he asked before taking a huge bite of one of her pineapple and coconut cupcakes.

  She nodded and smiled. “That’s me. My name is Jane Kendall. What’s yours?” she asked, trying to be brave.

  “I’m Kamilo, but everyone calls me Kam. We’ve got another game next week. You should come again,” he said, his brown eyes gleaming down at her as he finished the rest of the cupcake quickly.

  She grinned but didn’t agree to anything. “I take it you’re a cupcake lover.”

  Kam nodded slowly as he looked down into her face. “Of course. But you should come again. I think you’re cute. There’s a game this Saturday and afterwards we’re having a party at my house. We’re roasting a pig and everything. You can come with me.”

  Jane’s eyes went big as she stared up at the large man. “Wait . . . did you just ask me out?” she said, stumbling over the words.

  Kam smiled down at her and tilted his head. “Sounds like it. Bring some more cupcakes,” he said and sauntered off, leaving her surprised and a little taken aback.

  Meredith materialized at her side with a frown on her face. “Did I just see Kam ask you out?” she asked staring after the man darkly.

  Jane nodded her head. “I think so. Something about a pig roast at the Matafeo’s house,” she said worriedly, glancing over in Tate’s direction. He was facing her as one of his younger cousins talked to him excitedly. He was talking but his eyes were on her and he didn’t look happy either.

  Jane looked away quickly and realized Meredith looked upset. “Is there a rule against dating Samoan guys or something?” she asked curiously wondering if there was a cultural rule she wasn’t aware of.

  Meredith laughed at that and shook her head. “No, not really. But sometimes. It depends. Feke’s family is really cool about Tawni. They don’t care if she’s white. But some families are real traditional and don’t like it.”

  Jane glanced at Tate again, but now there were two Samoan girls talking to him and he was grinning and laughing and possibly flirting. She closed her eyes at the wave of pain that caused her and turned back to Meredith. “What about Tat
e Matafeo? Does his family not like him to date white girls?” she asked softly, wondering if that was his hang up with her.

  Meredith shrugged and looked over at Tate curiously. “He’s an interesting guy. Pretty much an orphan. His dad was a gang member way back in the day and ended up getting shot by a rival gang. His mom was white, but she died of a drug overdose when he was young. He was passed around the family for a while and then Feke told me he got into some trouble and that’s when his uncle Toa took him under his wing. He’s been on the straight and narrow ever since. Kam and him are cousins. I never see them date white girls, but you never know.”

  Jane pursed her lips and sighed. There was a lot she didn’t know about Tate. “So if I show up to this party with Kam will he get in trouble?” she asked worriedly spotting the large man laughing with a few teammates.

  Meredith pouted and shook her head. “Nah, look at him. Who would dare tell him what to do?” she asked morosely.

  Jane stared at Meredith for a moment. “Uh Meredith? Do you like Kam?” she asked in confusion.

  Meredith looked at her like she was an idiot. “Are you kidding me? Kam’s like an older brother to me. Besides, I just told you I was trying to get over my ex.”

  Jane nodded and grimaced. Well, if Meredith was still trying to get over her ex, she was sending out a lot of mixed signals. Maybe she was ready to date, but just wasn’t ready to admit it. Because where she was standing, Meredith was acting a little jealous. She smiled to herself and decided that she would do something fun. She was going to play match maker. She was going to find some way to get Kam and Meredith together.

  Meredith glanced at her and frowned. “What are you grinning about? Come on, it’s getting chilly. Let’s go,” she said and headed toward the parking lot.

  Jane followed more slowly as Meredith took a detour and pulled Tawni away from Feke. “You’ll see her tomorrow and she’s my ride. I swear if you don’t let her go I’ll chop your hand off,” she said with a glare.

  Feke laughed and kissed Tawni one more time before letting Meredith drag her away. Jane giggled and followed the two girls but then stopped. “Hey, I forgot my cupcake platter. I’ve gotta run back and get it,” she called to Meredith.

  She turned and waved. “I’ll email you about the next game. We should get together for lunch this week too. I’ll call you!” she shouted and then followed Tawni.

  She turned and walked right into a brick wall. A sweaty brick wall. Kam was standing in front of her holding her platter in one hand and the last cupcake in the other.

  “You forgot something,” he said eating the cupcake and smiling down at her.

  Jane laughed and took the platter from him. “I’ve never seen anyone eat so many cupcakes. Which one was your favorite?” she asked curiously.

  Kam tilted his head and thought about it as he casually took the rubber band out of his pony tail letting his long dark, wavy hair flow around his shoulders. She blinked in surprise. Holy crap. The man was beautiful.

  “I loved the pineapple one but the banana one with the cream cheese frosting was amazing. I could eat two dozen of those easy,” he said looking at the empty platter with a frown.

  Jane grinned. “I’ll be sure and make some of those for Saturday.”

  “What are you making for Saturday?”

  Jane turned around and saw Tate step toward her with a frown. Kam slapped Tate on the back and slung his arm around his shoulder.

  “Jane’s making me more cupcakes. She’s coming with me to the party bro.”

  Tate’s face hardened and his eyes went cold as he looked at Jane accusingly as if she’d been the one to ask Kam out. She blinked in surprise and frowned back at him.

  “Kam, you know your mom put you on a diet. She told you only one dessert a day,” Tate said turning his head to look at his cousin.

  Jane stared at Kam’s rock hard body and shook her head in confusion. The man did not need a diet. Kam laughed and punched Tate in the side. “She’s scared I’ll get diabetes like Dad. If you tell her how many cupcakes I ate I’ll break your leg,” he said, narrowing his eyes at Tate.

  Tate grinned and held up his hands. “If you bring Jane Saturday how will she not know? She’ll be there.”

  Kam frowned and looked at Jane. Jane laughed. “I get the feeling that the only reason you asked me out is for my cupcakes.”

  Kam shrugged looking like a naughty boy. “The way to my heart is through my stomach. I can’t help that. When I find the woman who can cook as good as my mom, I’ll make her my wife. What else can you cook?” he asked curiously.

  Jane caught Tate’s gaze and realized that he was not happy with the direction this conversation was going. Tough. Served him right.

  “I can cook anything really. I think it runs in our family. My sisters are bakers too. You should try my sister Kit’s sourdough bread. It’s on the menu at the Iron Skillet if you’ve ever eaten there.”

  Kam stared down at her looking intrigued. Tate cleared his throat and interrupted. “Kam, I think your dad is calling your name. He needs help with the equipment.”

  Kam looked over his shoulder at a larger, older man calling his name and waved his hand. “Gotta go. See you Saturday Jane. And don’t forget to make a banana cupcake just for me,” he said with a wink and then turned and trotted toward his dad.

  Jane waved goodbye and then let her smile slip. Tate was frowning at her. Again.

  “What is your problem Tate? Do you always have to frown at me? You don’t have a problem smiling at everyone else,” she said angrily and turned and walked away, heading toward the parking lot and her car.

  Tate kept pace with her, staying silent until they reached her car. He grabbed her arm before she could open her door though.

  “Sorry, I don’t mean to frown at you. Are you really going to go out with Kam?” he asked, sounding mad again.

  Jane turned and leaned up against her car and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, I am going to be with him this Saturday. It’s nice to be asked out sometimes and he seems like a nice guy. But don’t worry. I haven’t set my sights on him. I’m actually going to try and figure out a way to set up Meredith with Kam. I think they’d be cute together.”

  Tate grinned down at her and shook his head. “Meredith can’t cook to save her life Jane. You heard Kam. His biggest love in life is food. If she can’t cook, he won’t look at her twice.”

  Jane frowned and then froze. She could teach Meredith. She could even go one step further and hold cooking classes for her match and mingle friends. It would bring in new business and be a fun hobby and she’d be able to help Meredith get together with Kam.

  “Uh oh, what are you thinking?” Tate demanded, frowning.

  Jane grinned and patted his cheek. “You just gave me a brilliant idea. I’m going to teach Meredith how to cook. I bet you I get those two together,” she said cockily.

  Tate grabbed her hand off his cheek but kept hold of her as he shook his head. “I’ll take that bet. I bet you they don’t go on even one date.”

  Jane tried to ignore the fact that Tate was actually holding her hand and narrowed her eyes at him. “Okay, let’s make this interesting. I’ll bet you one free cupcake every day for a month if I lose.”

  Tate’s eyes went big and he smiled. “I would love that,” he said honestly but then frowned at her. “Okay, but what if you win? What do you want?” he asked softly as he leaned toward her.

  Jane’s eyes went wide as she stared up into the face she adored. She closed her eyes and looked away knowing that she couldn’t ask for what she really wanted.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered, and swallowed nervously.

  Tate made a humming sound in his throat. “Well, since we both know I’m going to win this bet, it doesn’t really matter. But I’ll let you come up with something later. I don’t even care what it is because I promise you, there’s no way Kam would ever be interested in Meredith. Ever,” he added decisively.

  Jane glared at T
ate. “Fine, but you’re going to be begging for mercy when I win. I’m going to make you suffer,” she promised with a tilt of her chin.

  Tate raised an eyebrow and smiled down into her eyes and somehow their faces were closer. “That actually sounds kind of interesting. I almost regret having to win now.”

  Jane laughed and then he let go of her hand as she realized they now had company. A beautiful tall woman with cascades of long black hair walked up to Tate and put a hand on his shoulder. “Tate, you promised to give me a ride home. Who’s this?” she asked, looking Jane up and down with a scowl.

  Tate smiled at the woman and took a step back from Jane. “Alea, this is my friend Jane. She owns a bakery I go to often,” he said.

  Jane smiled politely at the girl. “Hi, you have such beautiful hair. It must take you hours to do it,” she said.

  Alea sneered at her and ignored her, turning back to Tate. “Let’s go Tate.”

  Jane’s mouth fell open and her eyebrows went up at the rudeness. Tate glared at the girl and then looked back at Jane. “Sorry Jane. Alea is . . . a friend of mine. She still has a lot to learn about manners,” he said direly. “I’ll see you around,” he said and took the woman by her arm and marched off.

  Jane frowned after them wondering why Alea had taken such a dislike to her. She got in her car and drove home, her mind racing back and forth over everything that had happened that night. But no matter where her thoughts took her, they always came back to point A. Tate Matafeo.

  Chapter 4 – Adapting

  Jane spent the next few days working hard. She and Kit had to take up the slack left by Layla. Even though Julie came in every day to bake pies, they still had to make the regular desserts that Layla loved to put out. Kit slid in a tray of cream puffs and glared at the oven.

  “Jane, I’m going to hire a new baker. I’m going to put an ad in the paper this week. We’re both going crazy trying to do everything,” she said in irritation and slipped off her oven mitts to take a drink of water.