A Cherry on Top (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 7)

by Ashley Lauren

  “But… I freaked out and ran away. Before I could catch up to him and apologize for my rudeness, he was already gone.”

  “So, you’d like me to get in touch with him?” Katy suggested, reading between the lines.

  “If you don’t mind… that would be great.”

  “Of course, dear. I can give you his number if you’d like.”

  “Do you have it?”

  Katy nodded. “Just give me a minute.” She turned around and stepped back into the kitchen. Navigating past the cooks, she reached her office.

  The room was small and filled with clutter. Katy didn’t like to throw anything away. On the far wall was a corkboard covered in business cards, old photographs, and various other slips of paper.

  Katy’s gaze lingered on a black and white photo from when she was younger. She had her arms wrapped around Charlotte Mason. In their younger days, they shared a two bedroom apartment until Katy introduced Charlotte to her husband, Charles.

  She smiled at the fond memories before she remembered what she had come for. She looked through the business cards, finally spotting the one Travis had given her during that notorious social event Katy had salvaged. She pulled out the pushpin holding it against the corkboard and walked back to Faith.

  “Here you are.”

  Faith took the little piece of paper, examining it closely.

  Travis Waverly: Professional Photographer

  On the back was a link to his website, which she’d already found, but this card had his phone number as well as an email address.

  “Are you sure it’s okay for me to have this?” Faith asked, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.

  “I’m sure.” Katy smiled kindly. The woman’s gentle expression worked to comfort Faith. “And if you ever need anything else, I’m always here.”

  “Thank you.” Faith tightened her grip on the card and got down from her stool. She fished in her bag, leaving a generous tip on the counter. “I’ll see you around.” She said, waving at the owner before she finally stepped out the door.

  The moment the door closed behind her, Faith grabbed her phone and dialed the number on the card. Her heart beat quickly, and blood rushed through her veins as anxiety built up inside of her.

  What if he didn’t pick up?

  What if he never wanted to see her again?

  She paced back and forth outside the café until she finally heard the telltale click of someone answering.

  “Hello?” Travis’s deep voice carried through the line, causing Faith’s heart to thump just a little bit harder. It was the first time in years that she had actually felt it skip a beat.

  “Hey, Travis. It’s me, Faith.”

  “Oh!” He sounded surprised.

  Faith gulped down her fears and insecurities. “I just wanted to apologize– “

  “Please, don’t.” He cut her off, his voice sincere. “I get it. I shouldn’t have forced myself on you like that when you weren’t ready. I should be the one apologizing.”

  Faith shook her head, even though Travis couldn’t see what she was doing. “No. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I…” Faith wanted to tell him about Logan, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to do it. “I just want to see you again…”

  “You do?” Travis’s voice rose in pitch. “I got the impression you didn’t want to see me again.”

  “No. I do.” Faith pressed the phone against her ear a little harder. “I want to start over.”

  When Travis didn’t reply, she squeezed her eyes shut and whispered. “Please.”

  “I’d really like that, Faith. A fresh start, without worrying about a date to please your mom. Just you and me.”

  The corners of Faith’s mouth tipped up, and the lump in her throat vanished. “That sounds perfect.”

  “Why don’t we go to the beach later? I have a photoshoot in a couple of minutes, but it should only last until five this evening. I can pick you up at your house if you’d like.”

  Faith hesitated. She hadn’t been to the beach in a very, very long time. She avoided it as best as she could. But, it was finally time for her to move on with her life. She couldn’t let the haunting memories of Logan dictate her life forever. This would be a solid step forward. “Okay.”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you then.”

  Faith waited for him to hang up, as if reluctant to do it herself.

  “Faith, are you still there?”

  “Yeah…” she breathed.

  “Thanks for giving me a call. I was scared you never wanted to see me again.” He admitted, his voice soft and sincere. “I really did have a wonderful time at the BBQ with you.”

  “I did too…” Faith answered honestly. “I meant to call you, but I never got your number.”

  “So how did you get it now?”

  “Katy Cupid.”

  “Ah. Of course.”

  There was a moment of silence before Faith spoke up. “Travis?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m sorry for pushing you away.”

  “Hey, don’t apologize. We’re starting fresh, remember? Pretend it never happened,” he said. “There’s no point in crying over fallen ice cream.”

  “Actually, I think there’s a lot of reasons to cry over fallen ice cream,” Faith shot back, chuckling to herself.

  “There’s that beautiful laugh,” he whispered through the line. “Anyway, I should get going before I’m late. I’ll see you later, around five.”

  With that, he hung up the phone, leaving Faith standing there. She couldn’t believe she had actually set up a legitimate date with the man that was only supposed to be her fake boyfriend for a day.

  Through the large window, Katy watched as the professor walked away. The bright smile on Faith’s face warmed Katy’s heart.

  Chapter 12

  Faith was just finishing a chapter in her book when there was a knock on the door. She smoothed back her hair and fixed her cardigan before taking a deep breath.

  It was just a date. It wasn’t like she was going to marry this man.

  Finally, she wrapped her fingers around the knob.

  Travis was standing there, looking a bit awkward with his hands in his pockets. He wore a gray t-shirt, decorated with a bright flower print along the sleeves. His short brown hair was slicked back in the usual style, and to Faith’s relief, there was barely a trace of a black eye from the volleyball game.

  One of his smaller cameras hung from a lanyard around his neck. “Hey…” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Hey…” Faith responded, just as nervous.

  “I hope you don’t mind if we walk. It’s a beautiful day, and I thought we could enjoy the scenery.

  “Sure.” Faith nodded. “I’d like that.” She offered a smile and joined him on the walkway before closing the door behind her.

  “Do you mind if I hold your hand?” he asked, very conscious of his boundaries now that he had caused her to run away once.

  “I… I don’t mind,” she said, her cheeks coloring at the thought of holding this man’s hand. She was being as absurd as a teenager, but strangely she liked it. It had been so long since she’d wanted to even be near an attractive man. Slowly, their fingers intertwined. Faith had to admit that she enjoyed the feeling. Her hand was much smaller than his, giving her a sense of security and warmth.

  “Shall we?”

  She nodded, and together, they started down the street. “I really do want to apol – “

  “Hey, none of that,” Travis said, looking down at her. “We aren’t going to apologize or keep thinking about the BBQ. We’re just going to enjoy our time together, okay?”

  “Okay.” Faith nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  As they walked along, they heard the familiar sound of an ice cream truck coming up the road. Travis tugged on her hand, urging her forward.

  “You’re not actually going to…”

  “Watch me.”

  Travis waited for the ice
cream truck to get close enough before he hailed it over. The vehicle slowed to a stop, and the owner who expected to see a horde of little kids was surprised to find two fully-grown adults waiting by the window.

  “Can I get an ice cream bar and a firecracker?”

  “Sure, anything else I can get for you?”

  “No. The two ice creams will be fine.”

  “You didn’t have to do this…” Faith whispered, clinging to his arm.

  “Nonsense. I want to.” He pulled out his wallet and paid the man before grabbing their ice cream. He handed Faith her firecracker, expectantly waiting for her to open it.

  She felt a little silly doing so, but nevertheless, she ripped the wrapper open and tasted the treat. Memories of her childhood came flooding back to her. Her eyes closed in pleasure. It tasted exactly like it did when she was a kid!

  “Wow… these still taste fantastic.”

  “I know. I’ve always wondered why ice cream truck ice cream is so much better than store-bought.”

  “I don’t think it’s actually better. I think it’s just the childhood hype of chasing the truck and using all your piggy bank money for something special.”

  “Hmm. I guess you have a point, but still, this was the best five bucks I’ve spent in a while.”

  He took a bite out of his ice cream bar and smiled to himself. Enjoying his treat, he went back to holding Faith’s hand, feeling complete once their fingers locked together. It had been such a long time since he felt his heart flutter like this, but there was just something about this woman that made him feel… different. It was as if the colors of the world had finally come into full clarity, and he saw everything in a whole new light.

  They were just finishing their ice cream when they reached the entrance to the beach. They threw away their popsicle sticks in a nearby trashcan and walked onto the boardwalk hand in hand.

  The evening breeze was strong by the water, whipping through Faith’s blonde hair until it got onto her face, forcing her to push it out of the way.

  “Do you mind if we walk on the shore?”

  “I’d like that.” He squeezed her hand and brought her toward the water’s edge.

  The water was a little choppy, foam gathering at its edge. Travis paused before he let go of Faith’s hand and started taking off his shoes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You can’t walk along the shore’s edge and not get your feet wet.” He rolled up his khakis until they were bunched up at his knees. “Would you like to join me?”

  Faith hesitated. Then thought better of it. She had to stop letting her inhibitions rule her life. Throwing caution to the wind, she tossed off her shoes and splashed into the water, letting her inner child run free.

  Faith raced across the water, her footsteps splashing against the wet sand. Footsteps chased after her. She looked back, seeing Travis closing in on her. She squealed and tried to go even faster, but before she knew it, he had his arms wrapped around her, hugging her to him. He turned her around so that she was facing him and lifted her into the air. He spun her around, and Faith held onto his shoulders, euphoria making her mind numb. She hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

  Eventually, Travis put her back down. He stared into her carefree face, knowing that this was the real Faith. She held something of herself back. Travis had seen the fun, vulnerable side of Faith when she was dealing with her family, but she held others at a distance. Travis was certain there was a reason for it, and it made him feel good that she allowed herself to relax with him.

  Travis had the urge to kiss her smiling face, but he refrained, not wanting to scare her away. “Do you mind if I take a couple of pictures?”

  “Sure. Go ahead.”

  “…of you.”

  “Of me? Why would you want to take pictures of me?”

  “Because you’re beautiful.”

  “Oh… um…” She didn’t quite know how to accept the compliment.

  The waves lapped at her ankles, her cardigan fluttering in the wind.

  “If you don’t want to, I understand.”

  “No. No. It’s okay.” Faith finally said. “I don’t mind.”

  “Don’t worry too much about it. The sun is setting so I can use that to my advantage.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, if you face the sun, I can set up the shot in such a way that you’ll come out as a silhouette.”

  “Okay. Just tell me what to do.”

  Travis nodded. He took a step back and surveyed the scene, tilting his head to the side. He snapped some preliminary photos before he grabbed Faith’s hand and led her toward a tilted palm tree. “Okay. Rest your hands on the trunk. Like that. Perfect. Now, turn your head a little and look at the water. Fantastic.” He knelt and took a few pictures from different angles, making sure he got just the right lighting.

  “Now, do you mind sitting down on the sand?”

  Faith assumed a comfortable position, her knees by her chest, looking out at the water. Her bright green eyes sparkled in the dying sunlight. She smiled up at Travis, and for a moment, he was stunned.

  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

  He struggled to breathe, captivated by her and all that she was. It felt like someone had a hand around his lungs, squeezing them tight. His fingers shook as he held up the camera, creating a blurry picture.

  “Is this okay?” Faith asked when she got no further instruction.

  “Perfect,” Travis said, his voice breathless. “Absolutely perfect.” His heart was beating harder than ever as he continued to take picture after picture.

  In the background, the sun was halfway hidden by the horizon. The water was colored in dazzling oranges while the sky was dyed in royal purples and blues.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Faith commented, looking out at the sunset. She leaned back, her fingers running through the sand as she allowed all her stress, fears, and anxiety to melt away.

  “It is,” Travis said, staring right at her. He watched her a little while longer before he set his camera down on a rock, hoping it wouldn’t get damaged. He couldn’t, however, let this moment pass him by.

  He walked over to her and sat down. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close.

  Faith rested her head against him. She could hear the beating of his heart, and it sounded just perfect in the moment. Their hands found each other, adding one more connection.

  They sat in silence, enjoying each other as the water lapped at their toes. Seagulls flew overhead, squawking loudly, announcing the end of the day. Faith watched them, trying to distract herself, but she couldn’t get Travis out of her head.

  His scent seemed to wrap around her, invading her senses. It even overpowered the sea breeze. She nuzzled a little closer, enjoying the warmth that radiated from his body.

  Closing her eyes, she pushed away all the thoughts that tried to ruin the moment. She focused on her breathing, on his body against hers. This moment was too precious. She held his hand, knowing that she had finally found someone that could help her mend her broken heart.

  Taking a deep breath, she turned. She promised herself she wouldn’t do this. She had convinced herself that she wasn’t ready for it, but she couldn’t keep denying the feelings that were welling up inside her, threatening to explode.

  In the distance, the sun got lower and lower, the colors getting more intense. Their surroundings got darker, adding to the ambiance. The seagulls had retreated to their nests, leaving them in silence save for the soft lulling of the waves. It was the perfect opportunity.

  “Travis?” Her voice felt hoarse as she said his name.

  “Yes?”

  Faith thought about saying something, but instead, she just leaned forward, her eyes closed. Her heart was beating so loud that she was sure Travis could hear it, but at this point, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to feel his lips on hers.

  The world seemed to slow down as she
got closer and closer. Travis could feel her warm breath against his lips. He reached forward, running his fingers through her soft locks as he pulled her close, closing the distance between them.

  Their lips collided and Faith felt everything come together. It was like someone had put in that final puzzle piece and her world once again felt whole and complete. She felt ready to trust. Ready to believe that someone could take care of her heart.

  Chapter 13

  By the time they walked off the beach, it was already dark. Faith was giddy with joy, her whole face glowing. She nearly stopped Travis to kiss him again. She was soaring high on cloud nine, and she never wanted to come down.

  It felt liberating to be with this man like she could finally tear down her walls and move on with life.

  “I had a great time tonight,” she said as they walked down the street toward her house.

  “So did I. I’m really glad you called.”

  “Me too.”

  “Do you mind if we see each other again?” Travis asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Things seemed to have gone well, but he didn’t want to make assumptions.

  “I’d like that.”

  Travis smiled, relieved. “Katy is unveiling a new milkshake at the Cupid’s. I already promised her I would go and take a few pictures for her website. Why don’t we meet there?”

  Faith nodded. Not too long ago, she refused to set foot in Cupid’s Café, but a lot had changed since then. She was actually looking forward to visiting the quaint little diner. “That sounds perfect. When is this happening?”

  “This Saturday at eleven. Does that work for you? If not, we can do something else, I don’t mind. I just really want to see you again.” He squeezed her hands, looking like an eager puppy.

  How could she refuse that look? Faith knew she had a million and one things she needed to do, but they could wait. For once in her life, she was going to enjoy herself. “No, no, that sounds great. I’ll see you then.”

  Travis had walked her up to the door and stood there, a bit unsure of what to do next. He felt like he was constantly treading water with Faith, just trying to figure out how to act. She was special and didn’t want to mess up his chance with her.