Finally, after the last of the pizza was polished off, Kaitlin jumped to her feet. “It’s time for your surprise now, Miss Bri.”
She disappeared into the pantry and a moment later came out carrying a plate covered with three huge cupcakes. Bri immediately recognized that they’d been baked in a jumbo-sized cupcake pan.
“Mrs. Lang helped me bake these but I decorated them all by myself,” Kaitlin announced, setting the plate on the table in front of Bri. “This one is yours. Do you like it?”
“It’s wonderful,” Bri said, taking in the lopsided mound of pink icing sprinkled with red, pink and white nonpareils and topped with a mini cake complete with edible bug eyes and antennae. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“I knew you’d like it,” Kaitlin said proudly. “And I made Daddy one with a cookie on top. Mine is more plainer.”
“Would you like some decaf with your cake?” Devin asked. “It’s already brewed.”
“That sounds great. And while you pour our coffee, I’ll replenish Kaitlin’s milk.”
Soon they were all seated again, forking into their cupcakes.
“Delicious,” Bri assured Kaitlin.
Kaitlin looked first at Devin, then at Bri and smiled. “You know what we remind me of?”
“What, dear?” Bri asked.
“We remind me of a family.” Kaitlin shoved another forkful of cupcake into her mouth.
Bri glanced at Devin, who raised his brows and smiled. “Me too,” he said. “And it’s a good feeling. Would you agree, Miss Briana.”
Bri nodded. “Definitely.” She glanced down at her plate. Two edible bug eyes stared back at her. “And I must say, this is the most original and enjoyable Valentine’s Day I’ve ever experienced.”
Devin grinned at her. “Original, yes. Romantic, no. But don’t forget that you and I have a date for tomorrow evening to celebrate Valentine’s Day, albeit a little late.”
Bri returned his grin. “I haven’t forgotten. In fact, I’m really looking forward to it. Tell me, is it dressy or casual?”
Kaitlin cut in before Devin could answer. “What about me? Don’t I get to go?”
“Sorry, Miss Muffin, but you don’t get to go on dates with me. Mrs. Lang is going to stay over until I get back. I’ll be late, so you’ll need to brush your teeth and get in your jammies and go to bed just as you would if I were here.”
Kaitlin thrust her lower lip out but quickly recovered. “Well, if it’s a date, that’s all right. I’ll have fun with Mrs. Lang.”
Bri pushed back from the table. “I appreciate the pizza and especially the lovely cupcake, but I have to open the bakery in the morning so I should be on my way.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Devin said. He turned to Kaitlin. “Why don’t you go brush your teeth? It will soon be bedtime.”
Bri said good night to Kaitlin, then walked with Devin to the front of the house. She paused in the foyer. “You never did answer my question.”
“Sorry. I’ve forgotten what you asked.”
“About tomorrow night. Casual or dressy?”
“Dressy would be good. If you don’t mind, that is.”
“I always enjoy an excuse to dress up.”
“Great. If you can get away a little early, I’d like to pick you up at five.”
“No problem. Business tomorrow will be slow, and Sally will be there to help Mrs. Sandler. So five o’clock is fine.”
Devin smiled and leaned in for a kiss but immediately straightened when Kaitlin came bouncing down the stairs. “I’m ready to be tucked, Daddy.”
Bri couldn’t keep from smiling when Devin rolled his eyes toward the ceiling before turning around to face Kaitlin. “Okay, Miss Muffin. I’ll be right with you.”
“You go ahead,” Bri told him. “I’ll be fine getting to the car alone.”
“Kaitlin and I will watch from the front window until we see your taillights.”
Bri nodded, then, at Kaitlin’s request, gave her a goodnight kiss before heading out. While she was delighted that Kaitlin wanted a kiss, she really wished she hadn’t missed out on that kiss from Devin.
Bri left work at three o’clock to give herself plenty of time to get ready before Devin was scheduled to arrive at five. She hadn’t lied when she told him she enjoyed dressing up, and she had the perfect dress for a fancy dinner out.
After showering, shampooing, and partially dressing, she applied her makeup with unusual care before pulling her hair back and fastening it with a rhinestone clip. Then, smiling to herself, she slipped into her favorite dress—a long-sleeved, calf-length black matt jersey with a scoop neckline. Gathers crisscrossed at the waist, which was belted and adorned with a rhinestone-embellished buckle. Although lined, the dress still had a tendency to cling to her curves in a way that made her feel ultra feminine.
She’d just finished putting on her diamond studs when the doorbell rang. After sliding her feet into a pair of black leather high-heeled pumps, she gave herself one final glance in the mirror, then hurried to open the front door. One look at Devin had her head reeling.
He wore a dark gray sharkskin suit with a pristine white shirt and a gray and white striped tie. In his right hand, he had a heart-shaped box of chocolates, and in his left, a vase holding a bouquet of red roses.
Bri assumed her eyes had widened enough to attract Devin’s attention because he grinned, a sort of impish expression that set his eyes to sparkling. “Good evening,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted everything about tonight to be stereotypically valentine-themed.”
“Oh believe me, I don’t mind,” Bri assured him. “Come in. I’ll put some water on the roses.”
She held the door open for Devin to come inside, then relieved him of the roses. He set the candy on the table beside the door, then paused to gaze at her. “You look amazing. I love your hair that way.”
“Thanks. You look pretty dapper yourself. I’ll be right back.” She carried the roses to the kitchen, poured some water in the vase, and hurried back to the living room. Devin had already retrieved her black wool coat from the chair where she’d tossed it.
When they stepped out onto her front porch, Bri looked toward the parking area at the side of the house, expecting to see Devin’s Jeep. What she saw instead had her gasping with surprise. She looked up at Devin and caught him biting his lip. “Is it too showy?” he asked. “I hated to take the Jeep tonight. And frankly, owning a red Jaguar was always one of my dreams, so when I could afford one, I bought it.”
Bri laughed. “I don’t blame you. It’s gorgeous. I’ll feel like Cinderella riding in a car that beautiful.”
Devin’s expression lightened. “Good. I was hoping you’d feel that way. Shall we go?”
Two hours later they were seated in a secluded area in one of the most exclusive restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina. Bri had eaten in some fine Atlanta restaurants with Michael, but none better than this one. After they enjoyed an appetizer of lobster bisque, Devin suggested an entrée of crab-stuffed flounder that was as good as she’d eaten anywhere.
But more than the food, she enjoyed their conversation. Up until this evening, they hadn’t really had time to relax and explore their common interests, which were numerous.
After enjoying a dessert of poached pears topped with caramelized walnuts, they agreed that it was time to head home. Bri reveled in the ride back, visiting with Devin while cocooned in the warmth of the smooth-riding Jag as they sped through mountain passes and then into the outskirts of Cedar Hollow. She doubted that any princess riding in a royal carriage had ever felt so special.
Midnight was approaching by the time Devin turned into her driveway and pulled up in front of the house. He put the car in park but left the motor running. Then he turned in his seat to face her. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this evening. I hope you’ll agree to our repeating the experience soon.”
“I’d love to,” she said. “It was a very special evening for me to
o. In fact, I’ve never enjoyed a Valentine’s Day date more.”
Devin smiled. “Me either, as a matter of fact.”
Bri smiled back. “That’s good. I wish it didn’t have to end, but I have to open the bakery in the morning.”
Devin nodded, then reached to cup Bri’s cheek in his hand. “Blasted bucket seats,” he muttered. “They make it practically impossible to kiss a girl goodnight.”
Bri laid her hand on top of his. She loved the feel of his palm against her face and longed for the touch of his lips. “Why don’t you walk me to the door? We shouldn’t encounter any obstacles on my front porch.”
“Great idea.” Devin cut the engine and opened his door. “I’ll be right around to help you out.”
Bri didn’t need any help but she appreciated the thought so she waited until he pulled her door open, then she swiveled and swung her legs out. He offered his hand and she accepted, allowing him to help her stand. And the minute she was on her feet, he pulled her straight into his arms. Smiling, she turned her face up to allow him access to her lips.
His kiss was tender and tantalizing, and the warmth of it reminded Bri of an early summer’s day when the sun was both benign and nurturing. Unfortunately, this was still February, and a sudden blast of icy air swept down Bri’s neck, causing her to shiver.
Devin pulled back. “I’m a thoughtless idiot,” he murmured. “Keeping you out here in the open when a sheltered porch is only steps away.”
Bri shivered again. “Forget the porch. Let’s go inside. Do you have time for a cup of decaf?”
“I do. Mrs. Lang said if it was later than eleven o’clock when I got back, she’d just spend the night.”
“Great!” Bri grabbed his hand. “Come inside then, but before we have our coffee, I want for once to finish a kiss with you without being interrupted by either the weather or Kaitlin or someone driving by in a pickup truck.”
Devin laughed out loud as Bri pulled him along toward the house. But the minute she unlocked the door and they stepped inside where it was warm, he drew her into his arms again.
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. His tongue tickled her lips for a few seconds, but she was in no mood for playfulness. She wanted a full-blown kiss. She wanted to taste him, to feel the texture of his tongue tangling with her tongue. She wanted pressure and passion and the promise of the excitement that came with pure chemistry.
And she got all of that and more. Devin was a wonderful kisser. He met her more than halfway, deepening the kiss until sparks of desire began winding their way through her bloodstream.
Then common sense kicked in. Kisses could be wonderful and fun and full of enchantment that led to yearnings and even deeper feelings, but Bri’s head had begun to spin so she knew it was time to pull back. She broke the kiss, then took a deep breath. “Time for that decaf, I think,” she murmured.
Devin gazed into her eyes, a half smile tilting his lips. “If you say so.”
“I do. I’ve got one of the single cup brewers, so I can have our coffee ready in less than five minutes.” She slipped out of her coat and tossed it on a chair, then smiled. “It took us a while to find time for an uninterrupted kiss, but it was worth the wait.”
He grinned. “Sure was, but I’m hoping that kiss won’t be the last.”
“It won’t if I have anything to say about it,” Bri called over her shoulder as she headed to the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later they were lingering over their coffee when Devin reached across the kitchen table and grasped Bri’s hand. “I never have appropriately apologized for the way I acted that first day we met, not to mention the following day when I accused you of canceling the cupcake decorating class in order to spite me. Please allow me to apologize now.”
Bri laughed. “I believe you’ve already apologized at least once, but in any case, I’m thrilled you badgered me into going ahead with the class. If you hadn’t, we might still be angry with each other.”
He grimaced. “True, which means I’ll forever be indebted to that cupcake decorating class.”
“As will I. Should we go ahead and make plans to repeat the class for Valentine’s Day next year?”
“Absolutely. And just think, I’ll have an entire year to hunt for exotic edible decorations. I can’t wait.”
Bri groaned but she was smiling too. Considering the fireworks that had been set off by that kiss in the living room less than half an hour earlier, she had a feeling that she and Devin were going to be collaborating on cupcake decorating classes for a very long time to come.
Perhaps even for a lifetime.
My Cupcake, My Love Page 10