“I saved some chocolate for you,” Isaac said. “I hope you’re ready to enjoy it.”
“I’m starving,” she said.
His eyebrows rose. His dark eyes simmered with heat and longing. Something told her he was offering more than chocolate. Or was that wishful thinking?
“DeeDee, what are you doing?” He stood close, his strong arm braced against the wall behind her, the heat from his body warming her. He could bend down and kiss her and no one would see.
She was suddenly faint and giddy and so full of hope she didn’t know if she was going to laugh or cry or start dancing. Or all three.
“I’m done, Isaac.” Her voice cracked.
“What happened?” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “We can fix this. How can I help?”
“You don’t understand.” Laughter bubbled up. There was something wet on her cheeks. “I’m done with New York City. I’m done with modeling.”
Isaac cupped her face in his palms. “This is your dream, DeeDee. You can’t give up. I don’t want you to choose… Marietta… and then spend the rest of your life regretting it.”
“No, no,” she said.
He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
She put her hands over his, stroking his fingers. “Jon kept talking about my big New York comeback… and I believed him. How I only needed to fix a few things about myself, a nose job, some Botox, a little nip here and a tuck there, and I’d be on my way.” She shuddered. “I thought that the only way to show people I’d succeeded in life was to do what I said I’d do. You know, local girl makes good. I thought giving up meant I was a failure. But somewhere along the way, I stopped loving it and I didn’t even notice. You know, the past few weeks here have been happier than the entire time I spent in the city. Spending time with Mark, with my family, with the friends I didn’t even know I had, made me realize that I could have a life here. If I wanted.”
She gathered her courage and looked him in the eye. “Do you have something to say to me, Isaac Litton? I’ve said it twice. It’s your turn.”
He swallowed. “We’ve barely known each other a month, DeeDee.”
“Five weeks, actually.”
Isaac’s gaze was impenetrable. “Mark loves you. I don’t want him hurt.”
It was a fair shot. “I understand. I wouldn’t ever hurt him, Isaac.”
His eyes narrowed. “What about me? I won’t be a consolation prize, DeeDee.”
A muscle twitched in his jaw, and she saw how much the words cost him.
“Never,” she whispered. “This is my comeback, Isaac. I’m home to stay.”
His hand shook. His eyes grew shiny as his breathing quickened. “Thank God,” he said finally. “DeeDee, I’m so in love with you. All I can think about is kissing you right now, in front of everyone. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s about time, Ike.”
And then, finally, his lips were on hers and hope and love and chocolate were all mixed together. It was sweeter than she’d ever imagined.
“Is this what love tastes like?” she murmured against his mouth.
Isaac smiled, pressing his forehead against hers. “Seems to me I’ve heard that somewhere,” he said. “We’ll have to do a lot of testing, to be sure.”
“Trial and error,” she murmured. “I’m up for it.”
“Extensive analysis,” he responded, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Might take a long, long time.”
She looked up, her chest so full it might burst out of her chest. “Oh yeah? How long?”
“Could take forever.” He kissed her again. “But let’s start with now. You in?”
“Absolutely,” she said.
Now was perfect.
Epilogue
Two weeks later
“I can’t believe it.” DeeDee looked between her phone and Isaac in amazement.
“Can’t believe what?” Isaac said. “Mark, as soon as you’re done with your hot chocolate, we have a surprise for you.”
They’d stopped in at Copper Mountain Chocolates for their usual treat. Sage always made sure to ask Mark about his exercises before she served him. To date, Mark had lost another three pounds.
“You contacted your clients about donating to the program?” DeeDee pressed a hand to her throat, wanting to laugh and cry and hug Isaac all at the same time.
Chad had just informed her that the final numbers were in. The fundraiser had well exceeded their best-case scenario, thanks to several generous, and unexpected, donations from Chicago-area businesses.
Isaac hadn’t even mentioned it.
If she hadn’t loved him before…
Isaac shrugged. “Of course. They need write-offs and prefer causes with a personal connection. It was a no-brainer.”
DeeDee leaned over and kissed him, hard. “You are pretty sneaky, Ike. I like that about you.”
Chad and Eric had more than they needed to begin the community support program, with Mark as their first client. Logan was already talking about connecting the program with the school system for teenagers with special needs.
And even better, they were in talks with the May Bell Care Home about using a portion of the funds raised to improve their day program—and their staff training. Mrs. Hatcher, upon hearing the news, had promptly given notice, to no one’s regret.
DeeDee didn’t know exactly what the future held for her, except that she was done with New York. Of all her time in front of cameras and crowds, nothing had brought the high she’d felt when the crowd had cheered for her and Mark.
Cynthia insisted she stay on with CH Solutions, at least until the baby was born, and for the first time, DeeDee believed that the offer was sincere.
Her mom, after meeting Isaac at the show, had been shiny-eyed with delight that her prodigal daughter had not only found herself, but had also found her ‘soul mate’ as well. Cynthia had scolded her about jinxing it, Norm told her she was jumping the gun, and Maddie informed them all that she’d set them up in the first place.
Sure, the family was meddling. Because they cared.
“Will you be sad to say goodbye?” Isaac asked as they got to their feet.
DeeDee glanced at Mark. “I’ll still be seeing plenty of him.”
“You could see more of him.”
Isaac had been pushing for her to move in with him and Mark, but DeeDee had declined—for now. She still had things to figure out about herself. Since Maddie had finally moved to the lake with Mick, the apartment was hers to sublet.
Her relationship with Isaac was too important for her usual impulsive decision-making process.
As Isaac pulled up in front of the building, pride tugged her shoulders straighter. She couldn’t stop smiling. She had her own place, she had a job, and she had friends. She had her family.
She had a great guy.
Make that an incredible guy.
Two incredible guys. She loved them both. The same amount, but different kinds, as Mark frequently reminded her.
“Come on, Mark,” she said, leading him to the elevator.
When they reached the apartment, she unlocked it and grabbed the can of cat treats she kept by the door.
A gnarly feline ambled around the corner, his moth-eaten tail waving like a flat.
“Mr. Fluffy Legs!” Mark shouted.
He’d been disappointed to learn that his favorite pet had been adopted, and DeeDee had warned Dakota not to tell Mark anything until she’d cleared her plan with Isaac.
“I need a favor, Marco Polo,” she said.
“Pay attention, bud,” Isaac added. He took DeeDee’s hand.
“What?” Mark and the cat were exchanging cheek rubs.
“I need you to look after Mr. Fluffy Legs for me,” she said. “At your house.”
Mark glanced up at her, his eyes wide. He looked at Isaac.
Isaac grinned and nodded. “He’s going to live with us. Is that okay?”
“Yay!” Mark chee
red. The cat ran away. “Is DeeDee going to live with us, too?”
DeeDee glared at Isaac. “Did you put him up to that?”
“Hey,” Isaac said. “He must have heard someone talking.”
“I’m going to live here for a while longer, but Mr. Fluffy Legs will live with you and Isaac. You’re going to have to look after him though. Clean his litter box, feed him, brush him. Can you do that?”
Mark nodded solemnly.
“Good.” She gave him a soft punch on the shoulder. “Now, go get him and put him in the carrier, okay?”
Mark disappeared after the cat.
“You’re amazing, Deirdre Cash.” Isaac nuzzled her neck, sending shivers down to her toes.
“I am.” She sighed happily. “You’re pretty cool, too.”
“You free later tonight?” he murmured.
“Always,” she replied huskily.
As she said the word, she realized it was true. No matter where she lived now, six months from now, twelve months from now, in this apartment, Isaac’s house, or a new place they chose together… she was his.
Forever.
The End
You’ll love the next book in…
The Love at the Chocolate Shop series
Love blooms in and around the Copper Mountain Chocolate shop of Marietta, Montana in a twelve book series featuring authors C.J. Carmichael, Melissa McClone, Debra Salonen, Roxanne Snopek, Marin Thomas and Steena Holmes.
Book 1: Melt My Heart, Cowboy by C.J. Carmichael
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Book 2: A Thankful Heart by Melissa McClone
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Book 3: Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen
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Book 4: The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek
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Book 5: The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone
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Book 6: Charmed by Chocolate by Steena Holmes
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Book 7: The Chocolate Comeback by Roxanne Snopek
View the entire series here
Book 8: The Chocolate Touch by Melissa McClone
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Book 9: Sweet Home Cowboy by Marin Thomas
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The rest of the Love at the Chocolate Shop is coming soon!
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About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Roxanne Snopek writes contemporary romance both sexy and sweet, in small towns, big cities and secluded islands, with families and communities that will warm your heart. Her fictional heroes (like her own real-life hero) are swoon-worthy, uber-responsible, secretly vulnerable and occasionally dough-headed, but animals love them, which makes everything okay. Roxanne writes from British Columbia, Canada, where she is surrounded by wild flowers, wildlife and animals that require regular feeding. She does yoga to stay sane. It works, mostly.
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The Chocolate Comeback (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 7) Page 20