“I know. And I’m happy for you. Proud of you, in fact. But we will talk about work. I promise.”
“Good.” Because I didn’t want to talk about what hurt. Or what I was going through. Because I had already gone through it. I was okay. I was a single woman now. And wasn’t that thought fun? I had my own business, and I was doing just fine. I wasn’t going to throw up thinking about the fact that Nicholas wasn’t with me anymore. That I lived in a different home. That I lived alone. I wasn’t going to think about the fact that the only reason I had this business at all anymore was because it had been in my name and not his. He hadn’t wanted anything to do with it. Hadn’t wanted anything to do with me. No, I wasn’t going to think about any of that. But it still hurt.
It hurt that I’d had to move to a different house, as had he. Because the house we’d bought together had to be sold so it could be split up properly. I didn’t want to think about the fact that I still had some of his boxes in my garage because I’m too nice and, God forbid he help clean out the place when we were packing and moving out. I didn’t want to think about the fact that he was still bopping that woman.
And I didn’t want to think about the fact that I kept calling her “that woman.”
She had a name. And she had her faults. Just like Nicholas did. And I couldn’t just call her names and be done with it. Because I had to call him names, too. Or I had to stop thinking about it altogether. That would be best.
“You’re thinking again,” Zoey said. This time, her voice didn’t hold any laughter, there were no jokes. And I knew that what I was thinking must be clearly written all over my face.
After all, I wasn’t good at hiding my emotions. Even though I tried. I attempted to be the ice queen that worked with icing, but it just didn’t work out.
“Anyway, let’s talk about good things.” Zoey smiled, but there was a little brittleness to it as if she were trying to make sure I was happy. But that was up to me. I was responsible for my own happiness. I’d learned that the hard way. So, I’d be okay. Because I had to be.
“We have the Proctor-Jordan wedding coming up, right?” I asked, working on decorating. I had everything in my head, as well as on my tablet and computer. I liked to be organized, liked to know exactly what I was doing. Since Zoey had her tablet out and was on the app that synced to mine, I knew we’d be okay. I didn’t have to stop working so I could work on something else. Yay, for multitasking.
“Yes. Now they want bright colors, not pastels. They want it so bright you can see it from space. Literally, those were their words,” Zoey said with a grin.
“I remember. I think we’re going for Crayola bright if I remember right.”
“Oh, you remember right.”
“They want it so bright, it’ll sear your corneas. Again, their words.”
“We’ll make it work. We have the next meeting where we go over the final design for the cake. We’re going four tiers and stacked. They want it a little haphazard, so not all of the stacks will make sense. And they want hat boxes rather than the traditional squares or circles.”
“Makes sense. They want it bright and fun and wacky. They’re a fun couple, though,” Zoey said with a grin.
“Yeah, Karen and Louis have been together for twenty years now, and they’re finally tying the knot.”
“They had their commitment ceremony about a decade ago before either of us was in business. But instead of going back to the person that helped them then, they came to us. It’s kind of nice. That we’re going to be there for this new moment in their lives.”
“I like that. Being part of their lives when they’re the happiest,” I said, letting my thoughts drift again.
Zoey tapped me on the nose once more.
“Stop it. They are going to be happy. And so are you. Got me?”
“You sure are forceful these days.”
“I’ve always been this way. I just reined it in before. Now, I won’t. Ever.” She threw back her head and laughed, and I just grinned, shaking my head.
The door opened, the bell tinkling, and I looked over the glass case since we were working in the front part of the kitchen in case anyone came in. I froze when I saw who entered.
Oh, God. I knew that face. Knew that strong jaw, and those bright eyes. I knew the way that dark hair slid over that forehead. I knew those broad shoulders and slender hips and thick thighs. Oh, yes, I knew this man.
Though I hadn’t slept with him, had never seen him naked, I had slept over at his house.
“Devin,” I whispered and then cleared my throat. “Well, hi there. How can I help you? Uh, how are you?” Smooth, Erin.
His eyes widened for a minute, and then he looked between Zoey and me, a grin spreading over his face. It made his beard look even sexier. And since he was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, I could see the very sexy tattoos all over his arms, and a little bit peeking out at his collar.
Dear God, had I noticed those tattoos before? Oh, yeah, I had. I’d had a vivid dream or four recently about licking every single one of those tattoos. And…other things.
No, I was staying away from penises. More specifically, I was staying away from Devin Carr’s penis. I didn’t want a man, didn’t want anyone.
I was completely fine by myself.
Just because he was sexy as fuck, didn’t mean I was going to do anything about it.
But, seriously. Sexy. As. Fuck.
“Hey, there. I didn’t know this was your place.”
I shivered at the growl in his voice. I should not be trembling at that. Damn him.
Damn all men.
No, I wouldn’t become a man-hater. But I could be a man-avoider. Yes, that sounded much better.
“Yup. I own Lace & Cakes.”
“What’s the lace for?” he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. That just made me look down at the bulge beneath his zipper. I ignored it. Yup. Ignored it. Sure.
See? I was doing a great job. So good.
When Zoey cleared her throat, I figured I wasn’t doing that good of a job, after all.
“The lace was because I wanted it to sound pretty, and because I do a lot of wedding cakes.”
“Makes sense. Hey, Zoey.”
“Hey, Devin.”
I looked between them, my brows raised.
“You two know each other?”
“Oh, yeah. I work with his sister, Amelia, often. She owns a landscaping business.”
“Landscaping and flowers. Makes sense.”
“Just like cakes and flowers do, I guess,” Devin said, rocking back on his heels.
“Yeah, I tend to work with everybody it seems,” Zoey said, grinning. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
“He used to date my older sister,” I said quickly.
“Oh, yeah. Now I remember.” Zoey just smiled widely, putting her hands on her hips. “Looks like you lost out on that. Now she has three beautiful babies and a wonderful husband.”
“Seems like,” Devin said, not taking his eyes off me.
Well, then.
“What can I do for you, Devin? I didn’t know you’d be coming in today. Or ever.” Was I rambling? I was rambling.
“It’s my friend’s fortieth, and I’m here to pick up a cake.”
“I didn’t see your name.” I wiped my hands and picked up my tablet. I would have remembered seeing his name. Not that I had a crush on him or anything. I wasn’t a teenager. But he had been there for me when I needed him so, of course, I’d remember if I saw his name.
“No, his wife’s the one who ordered it. I have a note from her, and instructions for you to call her in case I can’t pick it up. But she was busy. One of the kids got strep throat.”
“Oh, that sucks,” I said, wincing.
“Tell me about it. So, the kid is going to miss out on her dad’s birthday, and that sucks. But the party’s still going on, and Laney’s working overtime to make sure it happens. Greg’s a good guy and deserves to actually have a day off just to celebrate. Even if he’s go
ing to be a bit sad the whole time because his little kid’s sick.”
“And you can’t change a birthday or things like that,” I said quickly, going back to pick up Greg and Laney’s cake. I’d checked the note he brought just to be sure, but I had a feeling that Devin wasn’t making up an elaborate story just to steal a cake. Plus, I knew him. Sort of. I had slept over at his house, after all. That counted, right?
“Yeah, they’ll figure something out. And then they’ll probably have a whole daddy-daughter day since she’s a daddy’s girl, after all.”
“That makes it even worse,” I said, placing the cake on the counter. It was already in a box, ready to go. They had wanted a one-layer sheet cake with some pretty decorations on top. So, thankfully, it wouldn’t be too hard to transport.
“Anyway, just came in to pick up the cake. But if there’s anything else I need to do, let me know.”
“No, just check it out. I would send a picture to Laney so she’s good, too,” I said, smiling. Zoey was being suspiciously silent, and I had a feeling she wasn’t going to be so quiet once Devin left. Oh, good.
“So, what do you think?” I asked, opening up the top of the box.
Devin’s eyes widened a fraction, and he slid his hands out of his pockets.
“That’s fucking amazing,” he whispered. “It actually looks like the ocean.”
“They wanted an undersea sheet cake, so…I made it happen. The starfish and the little crab are my favorites.”
“It looks almost real, and yet, fun. Much like Greg and Laney.”
“They’re real and fun?” I asked, laughing.
“You know what I mean. They’re very responsible, do what they need to do, but they have a playful side.”
“You sure know a lot about them.”
“I’ve worked with Greg for a while now, and I’ve known Laney since Greg first started at the office. They’re good people.”
“They are. So, you’re a mailman?”
“I am a postal carrier, not a mailman.” He raised his chin a bit, even though I saw the laughter in his eyes.
“Well, I’m sorry. Although, I will be singing Please Mr. Postman until the end of time now.”
“I hate that song,” he grumbled, pulling out his wallet.
“How much do I owe you?”
“I already have a credit card on file. If you could just text Laney and let me know if using that’s okay, you can have the cake.”
“Sounds like a plan. It was good seeing you again, Erin. You look happier.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing my cheeks were red. “Well, considering you saw me at possibly my lowest ever, it’s good to know that I look happier.”
“Yeah, I’m not saying that the sequined dress wasn’t hot and all, but you look better with flour on your cheek, and laughter in your eyes.”
I raised my hand to wipe my face, knowing Zoey was just watching us, waiting as if she were stalking her prey. And I was the quarry she would eventually pounce on.
Great.
Laney texted Devin back quickly, saying that she loved it, and we settled the bill.
“It was good to see you, Erin. You, too, Zoey.”
“Oh, good. I’m glad you remembered I was here.”
“Shut up.” He growled, and I just smiled, clasping my hands in front of me. See? Everything was fine. This wasn’t awkward. Or weird. It was totally awkward and weird.
“I’ll see you around, Erin. Bye, Zoey.”
“You sure will,” Zoey said, and I just raised my hand to wave, not sure what to say. After all, there really wasn’t much to say at all.
So he left, and I did my best not to watch his ass as he walked away.
“You know his ass has always looked good in jeans. Just wait until you see him in shorts.”
I sputtered. “Shorts?”
“You know, the shorts that postal carriers wear. Ooh, sexy man.”
“He’s your friend’s older brother.”
“He is, and I enjoy razzing Amelia about it. You know I don’t actually have a crush on him.” I nodded. She’d mentioned her long-time crush before, and it definitely wasn’t Devin. “So, you know Devin? Tell me all. Tell me, tell me, tell me.”
“Should I start with the night I slept over, or should I end there?” I said, not knowing why that teasing sentence had come out of my mouth.
“Oh my God. He’s the one whose house you slept at?” Sadness filled her eyes, and I figured whatever she said next wasn’t going to be teasing anymore. Well, damn it.
“Yes, he was a gentleman, and the Carr siblings took care of me. And then I never heard from him again. It’s not like I left my number, though. Everything is fine. I’m fine. Now, let’s get back to work. Because I don’t want to get behind.”
“There was chemistry, I’m just saying.”
“That’s fine. You can think what you want, but I’m staying away from penises. All penises.”
Zoey just looked at me, and I had a feeling she didn’t believe me. Then again, as I thought about Devin’s growl, and the way he filled out those jeans… I wasn’t sure I believed myself.
Chapter 4
Devin
“You sure do know how to enjoy your day off.”
I grinned up at Amelia, wiping the dirt from my hands on my worn jeans.
“I don’t mind working with you. It keeps me fit.” I patted my flat stomach, and my little sister just rolled her eyes.
“You are constantly on your feet, lifting boxes, dealing with stray dogs, and countless other things that you have to deal with being a postman. I’m pretty sure you do not need my job to stay fit.”
“You know I’m a postal carrier, not a postman.” I growled out the words, but she knew I was kidding. I honestly didn’t care. I just liked saying it, mostly because it annoyed my kid sister and brother to no end. Dimitri didn’t really mind. He was a little older than I was and didn’t get as ruffled. After everything he’d been through…? There was no way my jokes would rile him.
“You’re a dork, but I love you,” Amelia said, grinning up at me before going back to the soil. We were working out back in her office’s yard. Amelia liked to keep one that was like a show yard so people could look and see what she could do. She also had her own portfolio and things for people to look at, and each house would always be different, but I knew that she liked to have this done because it made her happy. She had her own house where she worked on the grounds constantly, but this was like another piece of her home.
I definitely didn’t mind that my baby sister was really good with keeping things alive and watching them grow. It kept my yard and landscaping looking fucking amazing.
“You know, every time you mention what you do, I sing that song,” Tobey said, rubbing shoulders with Amelia.
“That’s the second time today someone’s said that. And it’s not getting funnier anytime soon,” I called out.
“I can’t help it. It’s just so catchy.” Tobey started singing, and I met Amelia’s eyes. She was very lucky that Tobey was her best friend. Because I wanted to murder the guy sometimes. Yeah, he was good to my sister. No, I had no idea why the two of them weren’t married already, but it wasn’t my place to say. They were best friends, and that was just something I had to deal with.
I liked Tobey just fine, but sometimes, he was annoying as hell. Then again, I figured I was a little annoying, too. At least to Amelia. After all, that’s what big brothers were for. And she had a bunch of them.
Well, three of us anyway. But I guess that added up after a while.
“So, what have you been doing on your day off today? Besides helping me,” Amelia asked, using the shovel to dig a new hole. She was planting a tree, one that she would end up digging out eventually for a new house. But for now, this would be its home. One where it could grow in safety before it was ready to be fully planted. I had no idea how my sister made everything work, but then again, it was her job. Not mine.
“You know me, always busy.”
/> “Yeah, I figured you’re not one to lay around. I mean, not all of us can have every Sunday off thanks to the government.”
“Yes, having exactly one day off a week is totally out of the question.”
“You work six days a week?” Tobey asked, scrunching his face. “Is that legal?”
I met Amelia’s gaze and then rolled my eyes. Tobey was sweet, but sometimes, he was a little slow. Well, not really, he just took things very literally at times. And that was fine, but he didn’t get my humor all the time. Or ever.
“No, I only work five days a week, but I always get Sundays off.”
“I thought I saw some mail carriers working on Sundays now.”
“Special circumstances, and not me. I’ve worked long and hard for my rest. And I’m going to keep it.”
“Until you’re old and wrinkly and can’t lift the boxes that you need to put on the porches?” Amelia asked, batting her eyelashes. “I mean, you’re already well on your way to that ancient-ness, right?”
“You’re lucky there’s a witness here, or I would bury you in that hole you’re digging,” I growled out.
“Hey, you may be bigger than me, but I can still take you,” Tobey said, waving his spade around. “After all, I have a weapon.”
“Aw, look at you defending me,” Amelia said, grinning up at Tobey. Yeah, I saw that look in her eyes. She was going to be in a world of hurt if she didn’t make a move or ignore that crush of hers. But I had already stepped in it more than once when it came to my little sister. She didn’t need my help, didn’t need anything from me. She just needed me to be here, so I would be. And if her best friend hurt her, I would beat his ass. After all, that was my right as the big brother. And Caleb and Dimitri would be right by my side, making sure Tobey rued the day he ever dared to hurt our baby sister.
Amelia leaned forward and punched me in the gut.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“You have that growly vibe going on. I have a feeling you’re about to do something overprotective that’ll annoy me.”
“How on Earth can you tell that just from a look?”
“I have my ways. Plus, you just answered my question.”
Breathless With Her: A Less Than Novel Page 4