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

  “Hey you two,” she said breezily and hurried toward the hallway.

  “Stop right there,” Layla said pointing her finger to the space right beside her. “Let’s talk.”

  Jane grimaced feeling just like a teenager in trouble. She walked slowly over to her sisters and slipped her apron off, folding it up and putting it on the glass case.

  “What’s up?”

  Kit held up her hands as if she’d just lost all patience and Layla’s eyes turned bright blue. A huge warning sign anyone with basic intelligence heeded.

  “Look, I know you’re upset about finding out about me wanting a restraining order. But in my defense Layla, you were on your honeymoon and that’s not what you want to hear about as soon as you walk through the door. Kit, same thing. You’re busy getting ready for your wedding. Why worry you if I can handle it myself?”

  Kit spluttered and Layla held up her hand for silence. “Is this you handling it? I called Tate as soon as Kit told me and he said you were supposed to come in last Monday to fill out the forms and you never bothered. He said he talked to a guy named Fee Kee who said if he hadn’t shown up and crushed Alex’s wrist it looked like he was going to drag you off with him. This is serious Jane,” she said, her cheeks turning bright red.

  Jane reached up and pulled out her pony tail holder and massaged her tender scalp before answering. “His name is Feke and you’re right. I should have gone in Monday. I’m sorry. I’ve just been a little busy lately.”

  Kit’s green eyes snapped angrily. “Do you seriously not get it Jane? The guy is delusional about you. Obsessed. Who even knows what he did to his wife, but I don’t want it happening to you next.”

  Layla tilted her head and studied her. “Kit says you’ve been locked in your room all week moping and that whenever she tries to talk to you, you push her away. Jane, has Alex done something that you haven’t told Tate about? If you don’t tell us, we can’t help you. I can’t protect you if you don’t let us in,” she said and then wiped a tear off her cheek.

  Jane lowered her head and groaned in misery. Layla crying was the worst thing she could have done. Nothing was worse than that.

  “No, Layla, it’s not Alex. I’ve just been having a hard time this week. It’s nothing to worry about. Just a little heartbreak. Kit knows I’ve been trying to get over Tate and I just found out that even though he likes me he’s choosing another girl . . . he feels like he owes it to his family to marry a Samoan girl. I’m not the one for him. And it’s been killing me because I love him,” she said, ending on a whisper.

  Layla took the two steps forward and pulled her into her arms. “Oh honey, why didn’t you call me? I don’t care if I’m in Paris or two blocks away. You call me when you hurt. We’re sisters Jane that means we don’t shut each other out.”

  Jane sniffled as she held on to her sister and smiled a little when she felt Kit’s arms come around the both of them. “You’re both so happy I feel like a freak being so miserable. I hate the idea of subtracting from your happiness.”

  “You won’t Jane. Misery is loving someone and not being able to help. Now what can we do,” Layla said, pulling back and staring worriedly into her face. “Maybe it would help if Michael had a talk with Tate.”

  Jane gasped and let go of Layla shaking her head back and forth. “No! Layla, this isn’t something you can fix. I know you’ve been there for me my whole life and you’ve done everything you can to take care of me and protect me, but you can’t protect me from this. You can’t fix a broken heart. There are some things even you can’t do.”

  Layla looked mad for a second and then sighed, smiling slightly. “I really hate that.”

  Kit laughed. “Well we have to do something. Next time Tate comes in . . .”

  Jane held up her hand and stopped her. “I told Tate not to come by the bakery anymore. He knows how I feel. It’s over. Really.”

  Layla glared and shook her head. “It’s not over Jane.”

  Jane glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that she only had a half an hour to get ready for Rob now. Rob!

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ve just spent the last hour working out my heart rehabilitation with Rob. He’s going to help me and I’m going to help him get over Kit.”

  Kit gasped in horror and Layla’s eye went wide in distress. They both shouted her name at the same time.

  Jane gave up and sat down on the floor, laughing helplessly. She spent the next ten minutes explaining what they agreed to and Kit sat down next to her, putting her arm around her shoulders. “Well, just because he wasn’t the right guy for me and he’s a little macho and jerky doesn’t mean he’s incapable of being a good friend to you.”

  Layla bit her lip and stared out the window for a moment. “Michael loves Rob for some reason. He knows I don’t like him so they haven’t hung out very much lately. Maybe we’ll see how he does. If he can help you, then maybe I’ll forgive him for Kit.”

  Jane jumped up and kissed Layla on the cheek. “Excellent. Now if you don’t mind I need to get dressed for my date. I’m wearing my new gorgeous yellow dress you bought me.”

  Layla groaned and Kit smiled at her as she hurried out of the room. She ran for her closet, stripped and slid on the silky dress and hurried to her bathroom. She brushed her hair out and quickly applied makeup. She spritzed on some perfume and called it good. Who said you couldn’t get ready for a date in fifteen minutes?

  She ran down stairs, slipping her phone in her purse and walked into the store to see Rob smiling cheerfully at Kit and Layla. Layla had her arms crossed over her chest and Kit was frowning, but he was alive. Good.

  “There’s my hot boyfriend,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Rob saw her and relaxed with a genuine smile. “Hey there. Ready to go?”

  Kit stepped forward and put a hand on Jane’s arm stopping her. “Rob, for your own sake, you better treat Jane like a queen, because if you treat her like an object, or like she’s just a pretty face or make her feel like she’s less than human, we’ll . . .”

  Rob frowned and interrupted her. “Stop right there. I messed up with you. That doesn’t mean I can’t learn from my mistakes. Besides, we’re just going out as friends. You can relax. Your little sister is as safe with me as she would be going out with you two tonight. You have my word.”

  Kit studied Rob for a moment and then smiled. “Okay. I’m good with it then.”

  Jane and Rob turned to Layla and she threw her hands in the air and stomped over to Jane and hugged her. And then she shocked everyone in the room when she turned and hugged Rob too.

  “You have one more chance Rob. Don’t mess it up,” she said, and then patted his cheek three times, although from where Jane was standing it looked more like three small slaps.

  Rob nodded his head regally and held out his hand to her. Jane slipped her hand into his and with a wave they were gone. They walked down the stairs and Jane sighed in relief.

  “I was scared they were going to throw you out.”

  Rob laughed and opened the door to his convertible for her. “You and me both.”

  They drove into Tacoma where Rob took her to a comedy club. Rob knew the owners and was able to get seats at the front. She’d had an early dinner at the Iron Skillet, so he bought appetizers for them to snack on. She didn’t like the first comedian that much. It seemed like every joke was about sex. Rob looked slightly embarrassed. She was about to ask to leave when he finished though. The second comedian was much better and they spent the next half hour laughing. There were two more acts scheduled but they snuck out and Rob took her dancing. The last time she’d gone dancing had been in college.

  She was a little nervous at first, but Rob was relaxed and a good dancer and so she was able to enjoy herself in a way she never had before. Before when she’d gone dancing with her girlfriends, she’d been nervous about all the guys that would come up and ask her to dance. And when she’d gone dancing with a date, she’d always been ne
rvous about how she was dancing or worried if he liked her, or she didn’t like him or she was just wanting it to be over. With Rob, she could relax so completely because none of the other guys would dare to ask her to dance and she didn’t really care if he approved of her dance moves or not. She was having a blast.

  Rob seemed to be having a good time too. It was amazing how much fun you could have when there was no pressure. But when she began yawning, Rob noticed and grabbed her hand, leading her outside into the cool night.

  “You’re not going to believe this, but this was the best date I’ve had in years,” Rob said, sounding surprised as they walked to his car.

  Jane laughed and Rob put his arm around her shoulders companionably. “I know. It’s so weird. I can’t wait to tell Kit and Layla how much fun I had.”

  Rob grinned but then slowed down. “Hey Jane, remember today when we were talking about kissing? Looks like you’re up to bat,” he said quietly.

  Jane frowned up at him, confused. They reached Rob’s car but instead of opening the door for her, he pulled her into his arms.

  “Put your arms around me and smile up into my face as if you’re going to die if you don’t kiss me,” he instructed.

  Jane snorted softly but did as she was instructed. She didn’t know why Rob was making a big deal out of the kiss right now but they’d had fun and a little peck wouldn’t hurt her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up into his face. “Like this?”

  Rob glanced quickly over her head and then grinned down at her. “Here goes nothing,” he said and leaned down and began kissing her. Jane critiqued his style and finesse and had to admit that Rob was a pretty decent kisser. It was going beyond a peck but she’d forgive him.

  She pulled away and stared up at him in consternation. “Do you know what the definition of a peck is Rob? Dude, way overboard.”

  Rob sighed and shook his head at her before looking over her shoulder. “Hey Tate. How’s it going man? Who’s your beautiful date?” he asked, gently turning Jane around so that she was face to face with Tate, Alea and two other people she didn’t recognize.

  Tate stared at her stonily before replying. “Rob, this is my friend Alea and her best friend Tasi and Darren. Looks like you guys are having fun tonight,” he said dryly as he casually looked Jane up and down, taking in her beautiful dress and Rob’s arm around her.

  Jane licked her lips and looked away from Tate. Alea was smiling at her in a snotty way that reminded her of high school all over again. The other two people smiled politely and nodded.

  Rob put his arm around her waist and pulled her in close to his side. “Jane’s been working so hard lately I figured she deserved a night on the town. We just finished dancing. Next time you’ll have to join us.”

  Tate smiled stiffly and shoved his hands in his pockets. “How long have you two been dating?” he asked Rob, ignoring Alea pulling on his arm in a very obvious way.

  Rob looked down at Jane and grinned. “Not long enough if you ask me. Jane’s a woman I can relax with and be myself, you know. Best night I’ve had in years. Oh before I forget Tate. Jane’s been after me to sign up for Rugby. She’s been watching you and your buddies play lately and she thinks I’d have fun. Any room on your team?”

  Tate’s cold hard face was suddenly transformed by a big smile. A lethal one.

  “Actually, we just lost a guy. Jane you know Tristan. He messed up his ankle last week and we’re a man short. We have a game Monday. Come an hour early and I’ll give you the basics.”

  Rob grinned and nodded his head. “I’ll be there. I haven’t played any sport since baseball. It’ll be good to get out and have some fun. Plus knowing Jane will be there on the sidelines waiting for me. What could be better?” he said and then leaned down to kiss Jane’s cheek.

  Jane cleared her throat and smiled up at Rob. “You’ll be amazing honey. I can’t wait to see what you can do,” she said putting her arm around Rob’s waist.

  Tate glared at Jane for one dark moment before nodding his head once. “Good. I look forward to seeing you both on Monday then. We’ll let you get back to your date,” he said coolly and then took Alea by the arm and walked off.

  She and Rob leaned up against his car and watched them walk away silently before Rob stood up and opened the door for her. As they drove away he shook his head. “I didn’t really believe it at first, but you’re right. He’s got it bad for you, but he’s fighting it. When he saw me kiss you, you should have seen his face. He looked like he wanted to tear me apart with his bare hands.”

  Jane sighed and pushed her hair over her left ear. “Well, maybe he’ll think that I’ve moved on now. I can’t stand the idea of him thinking I’m sitting at home every night crying my eyes out over him. And there he was out with Miss Universe. She’s so gorgeous, isn’t she?” she asked miserably, already knowing the answer.

  Rob shrugged. “Yeah, she’s pretty to look at but she has mean eyes. I think you’re ten times more attractive than her.”

  Jane blinked in surprise. “Are you just saying that? Come on, what makes this work between you and me is total and complete honesty.”

  Rob looked over at her and raised an eyebrow. “Self-esteem issues much? Seriously Jane, she is beautiful, but like I said, it’s easy to see she’s mean on the inside. Any man with eyes and a heart can see that. Tate’s a freaking idiot to be with her instead of you. You’re not only gorgeous, but you’re smart, intelligent, hardworking and loyal. But the best thing about you is that you have a kind heart. That’s what makes someone truly attractive.”

  Jane frowned and turned in her seat to look at Rob. “Rob, if you can see Alea and me so clearly, why couldn’t you see Kit? She was dying for you to ask her out those first couple months we were here, but all you saw was some shallow party girl.”

  Rob closed his eyes for a moment and his shoulders slumped. “Because I just couldn’t believe it. Here she was, flat out the most gorgeous woman I’d ever met. And I’m not just talking gorgeous, I’m talking if God created one woman with me in mind, it was Kit. And there she is and I can’t take my eyes off her, but I figure there has to be a catch. No one could look like that and be good on the inside too. I doubted her. I didn’t have faith in her or life or whatever. Getting dumped makes you cynical and bitter and I was both. I let it cloud my judgment and I lost her. I’ve sworn I’ll never do that again. Now when I look at a woman, I look at her heart first and her face second.”

  Jane leaned her head against the seat and reached out a hand and touched Rob’s arm. He looked at her in surprise and smiled slightly.

  “I’m sorry Rob. She was always meant to be with Hunter though. Maybe God was teaching you a lesson so that you’ll look closely before letting the woman who is meant for you get away.”

  Rob covered her hand with his briefly before answering. “Maybe,” he said and pulled up in front of the bakery.

  Rob walked her to the door and gave her a quick hug. “You know, you’re not a bad kisser. Maybe we should practice though?” Rob asked lightly.

  Jane grinned at Rob and yanked on his tie. “Uh, I think that kiss in front of Tate put you way past your limit for the night.”

  Rob laughed and turned and walked down the steps, turning back to look at her over his shoulder. “See ya Monday then.”

  Jane grinned and went inside, locking up immediately. She hurried upstairs and saw that Kit had left the light on in the family room and reached in to turn it off as she walked by.

  “Not so fast Jane. We’ve been waiting up for you.”

  Jane sighed loudly and slipped her heels off as she walked into the small cozy room. Kit and Hunter were snuggled together on the couch and Layla was curled up on the recliner with a book.

  “Where’s Michael? He didn’t want to be in on the interrogation?” she asked crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame.

  Layla smiled and yawned. “Oh he wanted to be here, believe me. But he’s over waiting to interrogate Rob. Michael’s
mom is babysitting Stella for us.”

  Jane laughed and hoped Rob survived The Talk he was about to get. She glanced at the clock and stretched. “Can we do this tomorrow? I’ve got church tomorrow and I’ve been dancing for hours.”

  Kit frowned and shook her head. “Fraid not princess. Sit down and give us all the goods or we won’t let you go to bed.”

  Jane looked to Hunter with pleading eyes but he grinned at her and held up his hands. “Don’t look at me Jane. I’m not going to save you. Besides, I’d like to know how Rob treated you too,” he said, his mouth grim and his eyes serious.

  Jane sighed and flopped down on the couch. She went through everything up until they met Tate and stopped, blushing as everyone continued to stare at her.

  “Well? What happened then?” Layla prompted curiously.

  Jane pursed her lips and stared up at the ceiling. “Okay fine, he kissed me. But only because we had agreed beforehand that he would if it was in front of Tate. He did it as a favor,” she said in a rush, watching as expressions from murder to confusion to doubt raced across her sisters’ faces.

  Kit shook her head. “Yeah, well Rob’s big on kissing. Are you sure it was just for show? I don’t want this fake rebounding thing you two have going on to turn into something more substantial,” she said worriedly.

  Jane rolled her eyes and studied her nails. “Well, he is a good kisser, but it was just for show. Honestly. And there was Tate with Miss Universe on a date of course. Rob said he looked really ticked so that’s a plus. It’s so hard knowing that Tate knows exactly how I feel about him. I think he wants me to be at home crying over him. Serves him right seeing Rob kiss me. Oh and Rob is going to play rugby with Tate and his buddies starting Monday.”

  Layla wrinkled up her nose and leaned back in her chair, clasping her hands together. “Well, as far as Tate knowing how you feel about him, we all know he has feelings for you too. He’s not that good at hiding how he feels regardless of the choices he’s making so don’t feel too bad. But I’m worried about Rob playing Rugby with him. We all saw how Tate threw Garrett down and he was a Marine. You don’t think Tate would injure Rob do you?” she said, looking worried.