“You know we can’t leave yet. We have to stay until at least after dinner. Amy, let me introduce you to Morgan.”
“Oh … My … God … I love your bakery. It’s a pleasure to meet you formally. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I do hope it was all great things,” I say with a nervous laugh.
“Yes, of course. All of us at the studio love your place. Did you make the cake for tonight?”
“Thank you, and yes, I did.”
She turns her head to Jayden. “We can leave after cake. I’ll be back,” Amy says and is off just as fast as she arrived.
“She seems nice,” I say as I turn to see where Nick is. He’s still engulfed in a conversation mere inches away from me.
“She is. I’ve known her for years.”
“Okay, well it was good to see you again,” I say as I try to turn away, but my feet feel as if they are glued to the floor. Our eyes are connected, and I can’t move away from him. It’s like when you are on that fair ride, Graviton, and as it spins faster and faster you are glued to the backboard of the ride. That’s how I feel right now, like someone has rooted me to this very spot. My feet, my arms, my mouth—everything is stuck. I don’t even know if I’m breathing right now, but I must be. Jayden steps closer to me, leans his head down to my ear and whispers, “You are better than him. I don’t understand the dynamics of your relationship, but he doesn’t deserve you.” He places a small kiss on the side of my head and I swear I hear him inhale as if he smelled my hair. Just as he finishes and before he can speak, he walks away, leaving me standing here facing the wall in complete shock.
My head is spinning. I don’t know what the hell just happened. I reach down deep and pull my shit together, and step toward Nick and the group he’s with. I listen as the small talk bounces back and forth within the group, but I couldn’t tell you a thing that is being spoken.
“Come, let’s find our table. It’s almost time for dinner to be served,” Nick says, and I follow.
He pulls my chair out like he did the night before, but allows me to adjust myself and scoot into the table. I take a moment to look around the table for a familiar face and notice him across the room headed this way. Quickly I glance over the name cards and spot Jayden’s name right next to me. I exhale all the air from my lungs and say, “Great,” out loud, which earns me strange looks from a few of the others across from me. I smile to pass it off as nothing, grab my napkin, and place it on my lap.
Jayden must feel the apprehension radiating from my body. He seems to debate for a moment whether he wants to sit next to me or if it’s better for Amy to occupy the space between us. When his mouth opens to say something to Amy, she quickly sits down at her place setting and jumps into the conversation going on next to her. Jayden blows it off and takes a seat.
The tension between the two of us is so thick that if Nick pays any attention to it he might wonder what kind of history we have. That’s the funny thing, we don’t have a history; it was only a night of baking. Not that I owe him any explanation, but I feel the question might arise at some point. Maybe it’s me, but I feel like all sixteen eyes around this table are burning a hole through me. It’s as if they all know I’m thinking of Jayden while I’m here with Nick. I knew this was a bad idea, but no … the new Morgan Lewis decided to go with it. Well, I plan to have a little chat with this new and improved me later tonight.
A few waiters start pushing out carts of salads and bread, and I mentally thank them, as this will give me something else to focus on. If my mouth is full of food, I can’t speak, and that means I can’t embarrass myself or Nick. Jayden is talking with Amy in a low tone that I admit I’m trying to lean over some to hear, but no luck. All I hear is me chomping on lettuce.
I reach over to grab a roll and then slice it open to smother the sides with creamy honey butter. Once I place the warm slice in my mouth, I let out a moan of appreciation. A baker knows good bread, and this is perfect. I try to figure out if the faint hint of honey is mixed in with the ingredients, or if it’s coming from just the butter.
“Must be good,” Nick says to me, and I smile as I chew the rest and swallow quickly, as I notice Jayden is watching me.
“Um … Yes, it’s splendid.” I remind myself to not moan while I eat. This is a major downfall for me because I love food and sweets, and if it’s something that makes me happy, I want it to know that it does.
We make our way through dinner with some small chit-chat around the table. Some have figured out who I am, and of course I have to answer questions about my baking. Jayden has watched me and listened intently the whole time, but has not said a word. Just as the dessert cart comes around, I spot what I want immediately. I go to open my mouth and request the red velvet cake that I made, but Nick jumps in and orders for us both. Before I can protest, two slices of the chocolate double layer cake are sitting in front of me. I slid a Benadryl into my purse before I left tonight, a just in case, and I wonder how long it would take for me to eat the cake, pop back a pill, and never have the first person notice.
I pick up my fork as I silently pray to the chocolate Gods that I can make it through this without embarrassment. With my fork in my hand, I slice off a small piece and lick my lips before even tasting it. A hand comes out and grabs the fork from me. “I don’t believe you need this,” Jayden says.
Immediately, Nick pipes up. “Excuse me, Jayden, but she can eat what she’d like to. Now put her fork down.”
“No, she really shouldn’t have this, now should you, Morgan?”
“No, but I wanted to be nice and it looks good. I have a pill with me, so I should be okay.”
“What are you talking about, Morgan?” Nick asks.
As I go to answer, Jayden responds, “She’s allergic to chocolate. Don’t you think you should know this?”
“I guess I should’ve known this. I’m sorry, Morgan. Let me get you something else,” Nick says and walks away to search for the waiter. With no one watching, I take a chance and swipe my finger against the frosting and quickly insert it into my mouth. That’s when another moan escapes, as it is purely erotic to have it in my mouth. My eyes round the table and I hear Jayden say something, but I ignore him and reach in my purse to find my medicine. I’m out of water, so I down the tiny pill with my third glass of wine. A smile forms. I’m pretty much the happiest person ever right now. Wine, great food, a taste of chocolate, and then it hits me.
The tingle of my lips and tongue sets in, and my eyes start to water as I recognize the signs. I’ve had too much wine for the medicine to do what it should do. I’m not a heavy drinker, and I’ve never taken it with this much alcohol before.
“Told you,” Jayden says next to me, and I turn to look at him and see the horror written all over his face. “Morgan, we might need to get you to the hospital. Your lips are huge, and you’re breaking out all over your face and neck.”
I pick up the knife lying down in front of me and look at my reflection. I nod quickly. I have never reacted like this to anything.
Jayden doesn’t wait for me to say anything. He tosses his napkin down and grabs my purse as he snatches me up. I hear him explain to Amy and ask her to let Nick know what happened. Nick, meanwhile, is still searching for another slice of cake.
As Jayden pulls me behind him out the ballroom, I say, “Just call me a cab and let me go home. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t think so, Morgan. Why would you do that? How is it your husband doesn’t know you’re allergic to chocolate?” And that’s the last thing I remember him saying before I pass out in the lobby.
I WAKE IN A HOSPITAL room hearing voices next to me. Frankie and Natasha are sitting there in a heated discussion while I lie on this hard bed. As I try to focus my vision on them, I try to remember why I’m here.
“Oh … My … God … Please tell me I didn’t do what I think I did?”
“Oh look, she’s alive, and yes you did, dumbass,” Frankie says, and
Natasha stands and walks out.
Mortified, I shake my head and cover my face. I can’t believe I did that.
“You, young lady, are in deep trouble. You know better.”
“Well, if you would have been there, you would’ve done the same,” I say.
“Morgan, I’m sure none of us would’ve done what you did. Not only did you mix your medicine with however many glasses of wine, but you tasted someone else’s chocolate. It’s bad enough that you flare up with yours, but you don’t know what ingredients were in that.”
“I know, but I was stressed, and Jayden said I shouldn’t have it and you know that pissed me off. Oh, my… Tell me how I got here, and where are Nick and Jayden?” I say with wide eyes as my memory flashes back to the whole ordeal.
“Jayden called the ambulance after you passed out and is in the waiting room waiting for you to wake up. Nick, on the other hand, showed up and said for you to call him later. I have to say, I don’t like him.”
“Other than that, did I embarrass myself like I usually do?”
“Define embarrassment? I need for you to be a little clearer,” Frankie says as she scrunches up her nose at me, and I notice Natasha walking back in.
Natasha pipes up, “Let’s just say I wish I would’ve videoed you.”
My hands fly back up and cover my face as I shake my head from side to side. “What did I do?”
“Oh let’s see, where shall we start, Frankie?” Natasha asks, and they take a seat in the chairs they were occupying before I woke.
“From the start. I think this will do her some good,” Frankie states.
Natasha starts off by saying, “Remember that time when you had to get two shots in the ass and you were talking crazy? Let’s set the scene for tonight. Apparently after you passed out, Jayden called 911 and by the time they arrived, you woke back up. Then you started with the gibberish talk. Jayden searched for your phone and, because we are listed as your emergency contacts on your phone, he gave us a call. I was lucky enough to hear you in the background. Let’s say that you spill your guts to people when you’re out of it and jacked up on wine and Benadryl. You might have some explaining to do to that poor guy out there waiting for you to wake up.”
I raise my hand and stop her. “What are you talking about, explaining? What the hell did I say?”
“Frankie, should we tell sweet Morgan or let her figure it out?”
“You better tell me,” I say as I stare at them like I could kill them both and watch as they think about it. Right when I go to yell at them for not being nice, my doctor walks in.
“I see you had a nice little nap, Ms. Lewis.”
“I do feel rested. When can I go home?”
“Well, I don’t see any reason why we need to keep you overnight, but you do need to follow up with your doctor. You had a bad reaction tonight, one that can go down in the books. I’d also like to remind you that you need to not taste, touch, or be around anything chocolate. As you know, since this is a new allergy, you never understand how you are going to react to it. Each time, from what your friends have said, it gets worse and worse. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Very well. Let me get your discharge papers and then you are free to go. Don’t drive, as you might still be a little groggy. I’d like you to fill this prescription for a stronger dose of allergy medication. Once you get home, take another one and sleep it off,” he explains and exits the room.
“Now, tell,” I say to Frankie and Natasha.
“You might have or might not have told Jayden what you would like to do to him, and how he’s all you can dream about,” Natasha says. “Oh, and from what he said when we got here, you said it all in front of Nick. I don’t envision he’s going to be calling you anytime soon, but he would like you to let him know how you are. By the way, can you explain the whole wedding dress, Nick, and Simon thing to Jayden? Dang, Morgan, you have confused the shit out of that poor guy.”
Frankie looks over at me. “I think he really likes you.”
“Funny, but he’s taken,” I say as I motion for my clothes on the chair and hear a laugh escape from them. I guess this is what I get for not listening to my doctors and being stubborn.
A little while later the nurse comes in with my papers, a wheelchair, and some medicine. The girls get me loaded up in the chair and start to push me down the hall. “You know we could have a race?” Frankie asks.
“Please stop using me for your enjoyment factor tonight,” I say. My head hurts and I just want to go home and sleep.
“Morgan, are you okay?” I hear Jayden’s voice and look up in his direction.
I offer an I’m sorry smile. “Yes, I’m going to live. Thank you for getting me here.”
“Oh my, look at the time,” Natasha says. “I need to head home. I have court in the morning.”
“Morgan, let's call you a cab. I have a shoot in the morning and need to get home also,” Frankie says.
I’m stunned that both of my best friends are willing to shove my safety and well-being off on a taxi driver.
“I can take her home,” Jayden says.
I quickly respond, “Thanks, but I can manage to do this on my own. You guys have already done enough. Just get me outside, please.” I start to wheel my chair toward the doors.
“Let Jayden at least accompany you home. You heard the doctor; you might still be dizzy and you need to take that medicine when you get home.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home in one piece,” Jayden says as he grabs the handles of the stupid chair I’m stuck in and starts to push me out into the cold air. My mind is racing with everything that’s happened. Did he help undress me when we arrived? What did I say? I can’t believe I let my nerves and pride get in the way tonight. What a fool I made of myself. I’m sure that now, after this evening, I’ll not hear back from either Nick or Jayden.
Jayden opens the door to the cab and helps me in. I slide over to allow him space to enter and my eyes stay focused on the back of the taxi driver’s head. The door slams with a little more force and I jump as a natural reaction. “Where to?” the driver asks, and I spit my address out and hold on as the vehicle lunges forward. Frankie and Natasha were right; I’m still a little dizzy and afraid to look at Jayden’s face. Somehow I need to figure out how to get into my apartment and ditch him for the night. My face starts to heat up as I remember back to what the girls told me I’d said to him. How stupid of me, and to think that I did this all in front of Nick. It makes me a little sad that he might never call me back, but then, I should feel relieved. I know it would’ve never worked out.
“Morgan, we’re here,” Jayden says as he opens the door and holds out a hand toward me. I was so lost in my own mind and caught up in the events that I didn’t even notice that we pulled up to my apartment complex. Shit, for that matter, I didn’t even see Jayden exit the taxi and open my door.
“Thanks,” I say as I allow him this opportunity to help me out. When my feet hit the cold concrete, my body sways a little as the dizziness hits again. His arms reach out and grab ahold of my shoulders to steady me. The sound of the cab driving off makes me remember that I never paid him. “I didn’t pay him yet. Where’s he going?”
“I took care of it, now let’s get you inside. You need to take your medicine again and off to dreamland you go.”
I don’t fight him on this. It’s cold, I’m tired, dizzy, and ready to snuggle down into my bed. My body relaxes against his as he gently strides us up to my apartment. When we get to the door, I remember that I haven’t really cleaned up the place and I’m worried about what I might have left out. Since Simon and I broke off our engagement, I brought back out my lucky wand and I’m pretty sure it’s under the spare pillow. You know, just for good measure. If the mood strikes, I don’t want to have to dig around for it. Knowing this is a possibility, I continue to unlock the door and bring my face up to look at Jayden. “Thank you for helping me, but I can manage from here now.
”
“Nice try, but your friends expect me to stay and make sure you’re taken care of.”
“My friends should have done this themselves. I’m sure Amy is expecting you, and you have work in the morning.”
“First, Amy isn’t expecting me. Second, they left you to me for the night. Third, you and I both are off tomorrow. Now, open the door and let’s get you to bed.” His voice is stern and every inch of my body starts to hum because of it. Simon would’ve just grabbed the keys from my hands and stalked his way through my house. Jayden—he’s different in every way. I’ve witnessed sweet Jayden, and now I get to witness demanding Jayden. I don’t know which one I like more.
When we enter my place, my eyes start racing around the space to double check everything. Simon was used to my mess and always having stuff sitting around. Jayden, on the other hand, might think I’m a slob and unorganized. It’s not a pig pen, but I do have shoes lying in the living room, a few baking items sitting on the counters in the kitchen and a stack of Brides magazines on the sofa. I meant to throw them away but haven’t done it yet. My bedroom has clothes laying across a chair, and the bathroom has this week’s undergarments laid out over the shower curtain.
I stop in the middle of the living room and turn to him. “Thanks again, Jayden, but actually, I can manage. I’ll call for the cab to come back and take you home.” I dig around for my phone.
“Not leaving, Morgan. We can do this two ways. Either grab me some blankets for the sofa or point me in the direction of your bed. It’s late, and we’re both tired.”
“Fine, that closet has blankets, and I’ll warn you that the couch isn’t comfortable,” I say as I march myself into the kitchen. Jayden being here makes me crazy, and I'm not used to having someone else other than the girls or Simon in my space. I reach up for a glass and fill it with some tap water from the sink. I search through the bag that the nurse gave me with the new allergy pill I’ve been put on and make a mental note to fill the new script tomorrow. The hospital was kind enough to give me two to leave with, like a just in case, and it’s better to be prepared.
Frosted Sweets (A Taste of Love Series Book 1) Page 10