My Sweetheart (Book 3 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Page 5

  Alex swallowed nervously and inched away. “We’ll get together later when you’re not busy with your friends Jane,” he said and hurried back across the street.

  Jane stared after him and shivered, rubbing her arms. Meredith put her arm around her shoulders and frowned after Alex. “That guy is creepy.”

  Feke shook his head and sighed. “Word gets out you cook and men go crazy. Watch out Jane or you’re going to have crowds of men stalking you,” he said with a good natured laugh.

  Jane frowned and looked away. “He doesn’t care if I can cook. He’s after my bakery. He wants to tear it down.”

  Tawni stepped forward and touched her arm worriedly. “That guy wasn’t looking at you like you were a business investment. He was looking at you . . .” she stopped and blushed, looking away.

  Feke stared at her with a frown and nodded his head. “She’s right. He was looking at you like Kam looks at your cupcakes. You should be careful around that guy,” he said and pulled Tawni into his arms.

  Meredith winced and gave Feke and Tawni quick hugs, promising to see them Saturday. They said their goodbyes and headed back to the bakery. Jane waved goodbye to Meredith and locked up, setting the alarm. She stared out at the dark wet night and frowned, wondering what she’d have to do to get Alex to leave her alone. She decided to talk to Tate the next time she saw him about getting a restraining order. It was time to stop playing around.

  ***

  The next day was Friday and she had to admit she was excited. After work she was having her first cooking class for singles. They were going to learn how to make and decorate a cake. She was only charging for supplies so she wasn’t going to make any money off the class. She just wanted to have fun, teach people how to bake and of course win her bet with Tate.

  Meredith was the first to arrive and Jane grinned, knowing that whether or not Meredith was ready to admit it, she wanted to go on a date with Kam. Five other women and three men showed up. She let everyone mingle for a while and chat while she walked around and introduced herself and handed out water bottles. The three guys ranged in age from twenty five to thirty. They were all cute and some of the girls were going out of their way to be friendly.

  She talked for the first half hour, going over basic cooking tips, like measuring and using room temperature butter but she could tell everyone wanted to get down to it. She motioned for Meredith to join her and she and Meredith worked together to walk everyone through the steps of sifting the dry ingredients and mixing the liquids. While their cakes were cooking, she opened the discussion up to questions and blushed when one of the guys, the one who looked like Henry Cavill raised his hand and asked if she was busy next Friday night.

  Jane laughed in embarrassment as Meredith cackled at her side. She elbowed Meredith in the side and shook her head. “Sorry, but I’m in a complicated relationship right now,” she said and then answered a few more questions about making the perfect icing.

  When she walked over to check on the cakes, Meredith followed her. “Complicated relationship? You should have said imaginary relationship. That guy was cute. You’re an idiot Jane,” she whispered.

  Jane looked up and glared at her friend. “At least I’m not afraid to go after what I want,” she shot back.

  Meredith glared at her and picked up a spoonful of icing. “Did you just call me a coward?” she breathed out.

  Jane stood up slowly, used to girl drama. She had two older sisters. She never backed down. “Maybe I am. You know you like Kam. Why don’t you just go for it instead of pretending I’m making you do this for me,” she said narrowing her eyes as Meredith reached back for the bowl and scooped an even bigger glop of icing on her spoon.

  “Oh that’s it. Jane Kendall you are the biggest brat I’ve ever met,” she said and flung the icing in Jane’s face.

  Jane gasped as the icing hit her squarely in the middle of her forehead. “You. Are. Dead,” she breathed out and grabbed the spatula and leaped on Meredith. Meredith squealed, giggling madly as she twisted and tried to get away from the spatula. The group of students watched spellbound as the two girls laughed and wrestled with Meredith getting her whole face smeared with greasy icing.

  “Okay! Geeze, I give up,” Meredith said, gasping on the floor just as the timer for the cakes went off. She and Meredith took turns giggling and glaring at each other as they wiped their faces clean.

  Some of the girls and a couple guys laughed at the two women, but they were back to business as soon as the cakes were out of the oven.

  “Now the best way to frost a cake is to freeze it. I know, weird, but you won’t get cake crumbs in your frosting if you do. Since we’re on a time crunch though, we’re just going to let our cakes cool as I show you simple ways to decorate a cake. I baked my cake earlier this afternoon, so I can show you how it’s done while we wait.”

  Jane took a long serrated knife and cut the top of the cake off to make it completely uniform. “Trust me, your cake will look a hundred times better if it’s not lumpy and lopsided looking,” she instructed, pushing the top of the cake to the side. Meredith snagged a chunk and munched on it as she continued.

  And if you want a really beautiful icing, add marshmallow cream. It’ll taste incredible and your frosting will have a silky sheen,” she instructed as she expertly used a spatula to frost the bottom layer. She trimmed the next layer and set it in place, quickly frosting the next layer. She then explained about pastry bags, couplers and how to use the different kinds of tips. She then picked up a regular spoon and held it up.

  “This can make your cake go from boring to elegant. Watch,” she instructed and used the spoon to make S shape designs in the icing. She took the spatula and smoothed out the frosting again and then used the bag to make large polka dots all over the cake. “Cute, huh?”

  She smoothed the cake down again and then used a smaller tip to show them how to do lattice work. When she was done, she looked up to see her class looking at her in awe. “Oh, it’s easy. I promise. Now, it’s your turn,” she said with a grin and pointed to their cooling cakes. “Grab your cake and get to work. I want to see some creativity and pizazz,” she said, laughing at one of the men’s worried frowns.

  Meredith bit her lip as she concentrated hard on cutting the top off her cake perfectly. She ended up making a huge gouge in the middle though and Jane used that as an example to show the class.

  “See this class? Is this a big deal?” she asked, looking at all the worried faces. “No. It’s not. Frosting can fix just about any problem. Meredith, fill that hole in and turn this into a master piece,” she said, grinning at her friend’s expression.

  Just then, Kit and Hunter walked into the kitchen, holding hands and grinning at her. Kit walked to her side and gave her a quick hug. “This looks like so much fun. You’re doing great Jane. We’re going upstairs to watch a movie. Call us down when it’s time to eat though,” she said before grabbing Hunter’s hand and pulling him out of the room.

  Meredith stood next to her shoulder and stared after Kit. “Wow, is that your sister?”

  Jane nodded proudly. “Yep, she’s gorgeous, huh?”

  Meredith shrugged. “She’s okay. Her boyfriend is drop dead hot though,” she said and went back to work.

  Jane grinned and leaned against the counter, texting Kit what Meredith had said. She could picture Hunter blushing in embarrassment right now.

  When everyone was done frosting their cakes, she took a few pictures with her phone to upload to the match and mingle site. It would be good advertising for her next class. She then showed everyone how to use toothpicks to keep the plastic wrap from messing up all their hard work as they wrapped their cakes to take home.

  Soon everyone was on their way and it was just her and Meredith standing alone in the kitchen.

  Meredith tried to tear off a piece of plastic wrap but ended up tearing a crooked piece. Again. Jane stepped in and ripped off a long piece, handing it to the frustrated woman and laughing as she attempt
ed to wrap her cake.

  “You know, besides the plastic wrap, this wasn’t bad. I mean, I just made a cake and I’ve never done that in my life. I’m going to bring it tomorrow to the party to show everyone,” she said proudly.

  Jane nodded. “That’s what I was planning on,” she said and waved good bye to Meredith before locking up.

  She watched her little class drive away and grinned. It had been fun. The whole match and mingle thing was turning out pretty good. She’d made a friend and she was going to a party tomorrow where she’d see Tate. Not too bad for her first week of putting herself out there.

  Chapter 6 – Step Eleven

  Jane walked toward the playing field and grinned as she heard the cheers coming from the stands. She had come fifteen minutes late so she could help Kit deliver a wedding cake and had barely missed the Haka. She climbed the bleachers and sat next to Meredith who grinned at her and scooted over.

  “You just missed Tate ripping his shirt off,” she said.

  Jane pushed her heavy long brown hair out of her eyes and shrugged. “I’ll live. Who are they playing today?” she asked, wondering why everyone was turning around in their seats and staring at her.

  “They’re playing the Nomads today. They’re pretty tough, but we’re tougher,” Meredith assured her.

  Jane pulled on Meredith’s sleeve and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Why is everyone staring at me?” she asked.

  Meredith stopped staring at the field and looked around the bleachers at the faces turned in her direction and laughed. “They’re wondering where your cupcakes are. You’re famous baby.”

  Jane smiled and relaxed and concentrated on the game. Her cupcakes were in a cooler in the back of her car. She was saving them for the party. If she brought them out now, there’d be nothing left.

  The game turned out to be just as violent as the last one. Tristan, Meredith’s older brother hurt his ankle and had to sit out half the game, so she and Meredith decided to go stand by him and keep him company. Tawni joined them, getting a bag of ice from the cooler for his ankle.

  Jane laughed at something Meredith said and then sensed a large presence to her side. She turned and looked up, smiling. “Hey Kam.”

  Kam grabbed a lock of her brown hair between his fingers and pulled gently on it as he smiled down at her. “Did you make me some cupcakes?”

  Jane tried to keep her eyes from rolling and nodded. “Of course I did. I made a special banana one just for you, I promise.”

  Kam grinned and let go of her hair. “Cheer louder for me. I can’t hear you,” he said and moved away to get some water.

  Meredith frowned after Kam. “Holy crap, he really likes you. This is impossible,” she muttered.

  Jane slung an arm around her friend and leaned down to whisper. “Trust me. He’s going to like your cake way better than my cupcake. I promise.”

  Meredith looked at her doubtfully and then grinned. “You sabotaged yourself? Oh Jane. You are a woman to be respected. I bow to your sneakiness,” she said with a grin.

  Tate walked up to the women and stared at them suspiciously. “What’s this about sabotage?” he asked softly.

  Jane blushed and looked away from Tate. He was so gorgeous he hurt her eyes. She stared determinedly up at the clouds before answering. “Nothing Officer Matafeo. No need to arrest us,” she said dryly.

  Tate leaned in and whispered in her ear just for her to hear. “I’m watching you.”

  Jane watched him go and tried to control the goose bumps erupting on her arm.

  “You look just like Kam spotting the last cupcake when you look at Tate. Does he know you’re in love with him?” Meredith asked in a voice way too loud. Tristan turned around in his seat and looked at them curiously.

  Jane clapped a hand over her friend’s mouth and brought her nose to nose. “Keep it down. And no. Of course not,” she said releasing her friend’s mouth.

  Meredith gasped for air and stared at her before laughing. “Oh wow, you have it bad. This should be good,” she said with relish.

  Jane glared at Meredith and watched morosely as the team ran back on the field. The rest of the game was uneventful. No one else was hurt and no fights broke out. The team cheered when they made the winning score and everyone left the field grinning and happy.

  Feke celebrated by grabbing Tawni and throwing her high in the air, catching her gently before throwing her up again.

  “Don’t worry about her. She used to be a gymnast. She enjoys flipping through the air like a Frisbee,” Meredith said and shoved her hands in her pockets.

  Kam and Feke carried Tristan to Meredith’s car and then everyone else moved toward the parking lot.

  “Party at my house!” Kam yelled and everyone laughed and cheered before hopping into their cars.

  “You driving with me cupcake?” Kam asked, grabbing her attention.

  Jane laughed at the nickname but shook her head. “Nah, I’ll just follow everyone. I’ve got a cooler in the back of my car.”

  Kam nodded happily and wandered off.

  “Hey, can I get a ride over with you?”

  Jane turned around and saw Tate jogging toward her. She glanced around at all the other people he could have asked and nodded her head quickly. “Yeah, sure. Hop in.”

  They drove through the busy streets of Tacoma and Jane cleared her throat nervously. “Tate, what would I need to do to get a restraining order?” she asked quietly.

  Tate looked at her sharply and lowered his water bottle to stare at her with a frown. “Who Jane?”

  Jane bit her lip and sighed. “Alex Foster. Meredith and I went to the movies the other night and he saw me and ran up. He wouldn’t let go of my arm and kept talking about us selling our bakery to him. He talked about taking me to dinner and every time I told him no, it was like he wasn’t hearing it. He only sees what he wants to see and for some reason, he sees us together. It kind of freaked me out. Feke was there with Tawni and he had to pull Alex’s hand off me. I just want him to leave me alone,” she said, trying to smile.

  Tate’s eyes turned dark and angry but when he spoke his voice was gentle. “Come down to the station on Monday and I’ll help you fill out the forms. If he comes anywhere near you, I want you to call me.”

  Jane nodded and felt immediately better. Tate wouldn’t let Alex hurt her. “Thanks Tate.”

  Tate smiled and studied her for a moment while she drove. “You still think you have a chance at winning this bet?” he asked, smiling slightly.

  Jane looked over at him and grinned. “Heck yes. Kam is going to look at Meredith today with new eyes. He’s going to see the future mother of his children. Mark my words.”

  Tate snorted and took another drink of water. “You’re pretty confident in yourself. I hate to break it to you Jane, but we’ve all been hanging out forever. We’ve known each other for years. If Kam was going to like Meredith, don’t you think he would have figured that out by now?”

  Jane frowned and pursed her lips. He sort of had a point. “So they start out as friends. Big deal. That’s how all great relationships start out anyways, right? He just needs to see her with new eyes. And he will today,” she said grinning as she thought of her banana cupcake.

  Tate laughed and put his arm over the back of her seat, turning his body so he could look at her better. “I still don’t see how you’re going to get Kam to take his eyes off you long enough to look at Meredith. I wouldn’t,” he said quietly.

  Jane looked at him quickly and blushed. “Tate, she’s so pretty. She’s got the cutest figure and all that blond shiny long hair. Have you even noticed her eyes? They’re beautiful. She’s a stunner Tate. Seriously, I swear men are blind,” she muttered.

  Tate frowned and leaned over to push a strand of chocolate colored hair over her shoulder. “She’s great. No argument, but then there’s you. Tall and beautiful. You have the deepest, sweetest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. And when you smile, your whole face lights up. And you have these two dim
ples right here and here,” he said, touching her face softly. “Who could resist that? And your hair. I dream about your hair. It’s so soft looking. No one could ever compare to you,” he said softly.

  Jane let out a breath she’d been holding and came to a stop at a red light. She turned slowly to look at him and felt like crying for some reason because he looked so torn and unhappy about it.

  A loud honk from behind her made her jump in her seat and she floored the gas pedal. Feelings of joy and misery fought with each other as she tried to formulate a response. When Tate had turned her down months ago, she’d wondered over and over if the chemistry she had felt between them had been all in her head or wishful thinking. But here he was, basically admitting that he was attracted to her.

  “Tate, it’s hard for me to even know what to say to you right now. I’ve never been one of those girls who like to play games. I’m not made that way and I don’t think you are either. So I’m a little confused here. You act like you like me and then you push me away. I feel like a yo-yo. I just don’t understand you,” she said quietly, feeling her throat clench with emotion.

  Tate stared at her silently for a moment. “Pull over here for a second,” he said pointing to a grocery store parking lot.

  Jane looked at him in confusion. Here she was, pouring her heart out to the man and he wanted to stop and get something at the store. Rrr.

  She parked away from the rest of the cars and turned her car off. She sat back in her seat, not looking at Tate, completely still. Waiting. She sensed him move finally and then felt his hand cup her chin, turning her face to look at him.

  “This can’t mean anything Jane. I won’t let it. But if I could . . . if my life had been different, I would have loved you,” he said softly and then leaned in and began kissing her.

  Jane squeaked in surprise and pulled back, staring at Tate in shock. “You just kissed me!”

  Tate grinned at her and put his hand behind her neck, pulling her closer. “So then let me finish,” he said and began kissing her again. Jane sighed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back.