Sugary Sweets (A Taste of Love Series Book 2)

by A. M. Willard

  “Where do you want to start?” he asks me as he grabs a buggy for us.

  “First stop, living room furniture. I want us to find a nice storage area for the TV and stuff. We have to remember that our child will be tearing it all apart soon, so something to hide everything in.” I exclaim in one giant breath, causing him to laugh at my statement. He doesn’t question, he just points us in the right direction and I follow closely behind him. We step in to a section that has displays for miles, and it’s overwhelming to think about. Instantly I spot something and move towards it. It’s a simple set up of three overhead glass front cabinets, a TV sitting on top of a matching console. It’s modern, simple lines, and a perfect mixture of gray stained walnut with a white glass top. “Do you like this?” I question as I examine it closer.

  “I do, but do you like it?”

  “I think I do, it’s simple and modern for the both of us. We can put the do not touch this shit kid stuff up here in the cabinets, while we tuck away other non-destroyable things here.”

  Hatcher laughs at my comment and says, “Well then, let’s take this. What else?”

  “Coffee table to match, and I would like two end tables, and what about a table for the foyer?”

  “Perfect, let me grab someone and we will get our order going.”

  Just as he walks away I spot a turquoise blue side table that would be perfect for the foyer. It’s a great contrasting color for our scheme. It even has cubbies for junk and keys. I stand by this and point to Hatcher for an approval. Satisfied with his reaction, I take off in a new direction while he gets someone to help with the entertainment center. Before I know it I have the whole living room decked out with furniture, rugs, a new lamp, and a few things I have no idea what I will do with – but I like them. I notice as we are leaving that Hatcher has a little pep in his step, which I can only take as a good thing.

  “Ready for the next place?”

  “I am, let’s do this.” I say as we head towards the big blue Pier One sign. I’m in shock that I’m enjoying this process and hope it continues as we search for plates, silverware, and glasses.

  As we enter, I spot something off to the left and my feet take me to a section of plates. I grab a couple of white, aqua, and coral caramel color from the shelf. I position them next to each other and glance up to Hatcher for approval. He gives me the award winning smile and I think about how many of each we will need. Moving along to the silverware, glasses, and of course the matching coffee cups, I feel this trip is ready to be done with. If not my savings account will be thanking me for calling it a day.

  We check out and drag all of our items out to the car. Before we enter, Hatcher wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me in to his chest. For a moment I think he just wants to hold me, but then he surprises me by lifting my chin up towards his face where he steals the longest kiss of the century. It’s his way of thanking me for doing this today. He really doesn’t have to thank me since I know this is the adult thing to do.

  “Wanna pick up a pizza before we get home? I don’t feel like cooking tonight,” I ask and get an approval.

  Hatcher runs in and picks up our online order that I placed from my phone while I sit in the car and text the girls. I took pictures of the items before we left, just so I could share with them. But before I send them I change my mind as I want them to see it all in person.

  Me: Great trip today and I should have all my items delivered tomorrow. Once I have it set up you can all see, but until then mum is the word.

  A few seconds later I receive the following from them all.

  Frankie: Not fair as I’m not there to see it. Can someone take pics to show me?

  Morgan: I can’t wait and I know it’s going to be beautiful.

  Natasha: Oh no, are you feeling okay? I mean did you become an adult overnight? Just kidding Zara, I can’t wait too see it also.

  “Texting the girls,” I hear Hatcher say as he joins me in the car. “Yes, I told them they all have to wait to see it in person. Make sure Morgan doesn’t get you to spill the beans.”

  “Got it Babe, my lips are sealed.”

  I smile and know he’s telling the truth as he would never spill the beans and ruin my surprise. It’s funny how something so simple as setting up your home has brought pleasure to me today. I guess when I stop to think about it, it just means that I am becoming an adult after all. I have this amazing husband, a child on the way, a beautiful house, and it’s time that I at least pull up and have a seat to enjoy it all. As soon as we park in the driveway I notice the ladies standing out front. “Oh my God, do they have a tracker on your car? I swear they know when we are almost home and they all get ready to pounce on you,” I say annoyed, wanting nothing more than going in and sitting in front of the TV while eating my pizza.

  “Just so you know they are always outside,” he responds alerting me to what he has already figured out.

  “Zara, Hatcher, do you guys have a moment?” the tall blonde screams out at us. We walk hand in hand down the driveway to meet them by the sidewalk.

  “Hi ladies, what can we do for you?” Hatcher takes the wheel with this one as he can already sense my irritability with the situation.

  “Yes, well you might not know this, but we have a neighborhood picnic every month and since you all just moved in we wanted to see if you’d like to host the next one?”

  “What?” I practically scream at them as I’m shocked that they think I want to host a bunch of crazy women and staring men in my house.

  “We were not aware of this, but thank you for letting us know. When do you expect this to be held?” Hatcher being Hatcher tries his best to make a bad situation better, or really he’s playing mister nice guy as he knows I’ll just tell them to fuck off.

  “Two weeks from today, and then next month around the same weekend another couple will host. It’s simple as you will provide drinks, and usually we do hotdogs, hamburgers, and we all bring a side dish.”

  “Well, that doesn’t sound so difficult,” he says while looking down at me to gauge my response. I silently plea with him to say no but to my shock he responds, “Well good thing we just ordered furniture and dishes today, isn’t it?” I gasp at his response and stare him down like he just grew an extra head. For the life of me I cannot understand why he just agreed to have these women in my house. If he thought he was going to get any love tonight, this just nailed his coffin shut.

  “Oh, that’s perfect!” One yells at the top of her lungs, causing me to cover my ears while I can hear the other explain, “Now, no reason to go all fancy… Paper plates, napkins, and even plastic silverware is just fine. I mean who has enough dishes to feed at least fifty people, right?”

  “Fifty people? Are you serious?” I scream back as I can’t believe that we are going to host a party for fifty flipping people. I pivot and head right towards the house as I’m floored and can’t deal with this. How much you want to bet that out of that count, it’s all the ladies in this neighborhood? I mean, we’ve been here for a few months and this is the first time I’ve heard of this party. Sneaky little bitches are what I am dealing with. I snatch the pizza up from the trunk where Hatcher left it and enter my safety zone. I toss it down on the make shift table we have in the living room and set out to gather a few paper plates, napkins, and a giant cup of milk for me. Hatcher is on his own for drinks tonight as this chick is over it already before it starts. I plop myself down and grab a slice as I watch him enter the living room.

  “Babe, it’s going to be okay. I promise you this,” he says, while patting me on the leg.

  I don’t respond as I know it will not be okay. I’ll need back up before I take on these ladies by myself. I will guarantee that Morgan, Natasha, and the rest of the gang is here. Now, if I could only get Frankie to fly down that would guarantee safety. The rest of the night is spent shoveling pizza and cupcakes in my mouth as I veg out watching some crazy home improvement show.

  Chapter 11

  I wake w
ith a text dinging in my ear from the phone on the nightstand; I notice it’s from Morgan requesting that I meet her at the new building she wants to convert to a bakery. Instantly, my ears hear the water running from the bathroom and I know right where to find my husband. I lie here contemplating going in and joining him, or still acting mad for the little trick with the party last night. Of course my body wins and I get up to make my way towards the one I want to see first this morning. I don’t announce myself as I step in and view Hatcher’s back. The vision of him standing here naked with water cascading down his muscular body sends my senses into overdrive. I reach for the bar of soap not even caring if he’s already washed this morning. I lather up my hands with soap and start to caress his back. “Morning, how are you feeling?”

  “Better now that I get to see you in all your glory this morning,” I say wrapping my arms around his waist.

  “Be careful or you’re going to be late,” his husky voice that still sounds sleepy says.

  “Oh really, and what are you going to do to cause me to be late this morning? I mean I have some extra time since I’m not going straight to the bakery.”

  “Really? Where are you going?”

  “I have to meet Morgan at someplace she’s buying, I’m sure you know the one.”

  “I do, as she mentioned it to me. Does this mean I can back you up against this tile and have my wicked way with my wife this morning?” he asks as he turns to rinse the soap off his back. I don’t respond, the only answer and fuel he needs is the simple action of me reaching down to feel his girth in my hands. I love how he’s always ready for me. It doesn’t matter what I do, or what I say… All it takes is one look and we melt in each other’s hands. Hatcher approaches me until my back hits the cool tile. One arm hooks my leg up and into his side allowing him the perfect angle to enter me. No need for anything else, other than just pure X-rated sex this morning. Is it make-up sex? I don’t know as this is us… this is how we live… this is Zara and Hatcher, as we are the purest example of everything sugar and spice when together.

  The water starts to cool against my skin just about the time we’re both exhausted from our shower activity. I have just enough time to wash the morning off before it becomes ice cubes in here. When I exit the shower, Hatcher’s standing before me ready with my towel. I offer up a gentle smile as I allow him to attempt to dry me off. After he’s finished I continue to dry off the rest of the way, and wrap the towel over my body. I throw on some light makeup, dry my hair and toss it up in a quick French braid. The one thing I can say about being pregnant is that everything changes. Hair, skin, emotions, the works. I’ve always had a natural look, but now it’s even more but with a glow. My hair is thicker and wilder. My complexion is perfect to me, and I love this part of it. I’m not into heavy makeup so a little powder, blush, and lip gloss has always gone a long way with me. Heading back out to the bedroom, I search my closet for something comfortable. I’m at the stage of my pregnancy that none of my clothes fit except for maxi dresses. Frankly, I’m over them… I yell out to Hatcher, “I need bigger clothes,” but don’t get a response back. I’ll need to figure out where to buy maternity clothes I guess and add a few things to my mommy wardrobe. I finish dressing and add a pair of my chucks to complete the outfit. No, Morgan is not the only one who has this addiction. I was the one that started her on wearing them. I think we might have a little contest going on to see who can own the most. Currently, she’s in the lead as I haven’t bought a new pair in months. I mentally mark that as something to purchase with the clothes. I mean, I have to stay cute while nice and round. Which by the way, we shall not speak about. Yes, this morning I noticed how my belly is a little rounder than it was when I went to bed last night. Before I know it, I will never see my feet again, so I don’t even know why I need shoes. If I’m not going to see them, why bother?

  I follow the smell of toast and eggs down the stairs, and as soon as I round the corner I notice Hatcher has our breakfast laid out on the counter. Yes, I smile… But it’s not because he made breakfast, it’s because he used our new plates this morning. “Oh My God! We’re becoming domesticated,” I exclaim as I sit down at the bar and reach for my fork. “Babe, I’ve always been that way a little. You on the other hand are becoming Martha Stewart.” He chuckles at his own joke, but I’m not finding it funny. Then I stop and think about his statement and damn it if I’m not becoming the person I said I never would. “Where did you put Zara? Did you kill her in her sleep and transplant her in another body? Ah hell, Hatcher I am becoming her, aren’t I?” I whine and slump forward in defeat.

  “No, I haven’t killed her since she’s the only one I love. But yes, I think you’re maturing and what a beautiful person you’re becoming.”

  “Don’t get smart on me. Your mother is going to have a field day with this shit, and no, I will not be setting the table like she does for Sunday brunch or dinners,” I state as I toss my paper towel down onto my plate and stand to walk it to the sink. I realize that while I drive to the city this morning I’ll need to have a chat with myself about this.

  “Thanks for breakfast, but I gotta run or I’ll be late meeting Morgan. Are you sure you’re okay with meeting the delivery people today?”

  “Be careful, and don’t worry, I have this under control. I have the directions on where it all goes right here,” he says, tapping the corner of his head.

  “Okay, well call me later. I love you,” I say giving him a kiss goodbye.

  When I walk outside, I notice that the coast is clear of the crazy burb ladies and I take this chance to make a mad dash to my car before I get stopped. It really is crazy that I have to hide in my own yard from them. Lord, what is it going to be like when this child is born? Are their kids going to be this way to my child? Oh hell, they’re never going to leave me alone. Especially when they figure out I make the best cookies on this planet. I envision having a house full of kids with cookie crumbs all over the place, but the bad thing is only one will belong to me. I hit the auto dial button from my phone and wait for Frankie to answer. She lets it go to voice mail, and for that she gets this message. “You know, I have this friend that moved away and left me here to die by the hands of the people living in the suburbs with me. Now, I have to throw a party for fifty people that I do not like. Please come and rescue me from going to prison! Orange is not my color and I need backup as Hatcher is a big baby and melts when he needs to say no to the mean people. I swear Frankie, it’s like Mean Girls or something,” I quickly state all that right before the beep ends my call. I hope I was able to get my point across to the fact that I NEED MY BEST FRIEND. If not, I might have to resort to smoke signals in the air for an SOS… Or, I can create a machine like Batman has, but only it would be a giant cupcake signal for my distress.

  Luckily, the GPS takes me right to the address where I’m meeting Morgan, I notice her car right away, but don’t see her anywhere. I park and make my way up to the door. When I enter I notice not only Morgan but Jayden standing in the center of the room with his arms wrapped around her waist. They’re speaking low and I can barely hear them mumbling, but it doesn’t matter what they are saying as I take in how happy my friend is. I allow them a few more minutes like this before I announce my presence by clearing my throat. Morgan knows it’s me, but Jayden turns to give me a welcoming smile. “So what do you think?” Morgan asks.

  “Well from the entrance it looks great, needs some work but it’ll be wonderful once we are done,” I say as I approach them.

  “Come, let me show you the whole place. You are going to love the kitchen area. I mean it, Zara. It’s perfect and big, and just wait until you see it.” I follow behind as I laugh at Jayden for giving a that’s what she said comment to Morgan. We enter the space and I now understand what she means. It’s like a baker’s wet dream. A wall of ovens, three sinks, a massive commercial dishwasher, and walls to have shelves installed for days. I notice two walk in coolers and okay, I might just have had a mini orgasm from th
is. But you can’t blame me as I can make cakes in here for days without running out of space.

  “Morgan, I have no idea how you found this, but it’s perfect,” I say with the biggest smile I can muster, looking like a child on Christmas morning.

  “It wasn’t me; it was all Jayden. He had a shoot on the block over from here and circled around the block. When he saw this place and the for sale sign, he took a picture and sent it to me. I love it and God, can you envision our future here?”

  “You did good dude, and yes I can totally see it all. Now, what’s the plan?”

  “We just have to finish the paperwork, get some contractors here to change a few things, and boom, we move in.”

  “Sounds simple enough, I guess.”

  “It does, but we need to figure out the front, codes, and restrictions. It’s being sold as a commercial building so we shouldn’t have a problem with the stuff we want, but you never know.”

  “We can get someone from Natasha’s firm that deals with real estate to check it all out. I’m sure we will get it all worked out. Now we just have to figure out what we want to add and change.”

  “That’s why I wanted you to see the place so we can start discussing it. I want to be moved in as soon as we can,” she says with a smile that only causes me to smile back at her. This has been Morgan’s dream since the day I met her. It just proves that no matter what happens in life, dreams can come true. It doesn’t hurt that she has someone special beside her being her cheerleader more than she could ever imagine. If she would’ve married Simon, this wouldn’t even be a topic right now. I’m pretty sure the topic would be about a date of closing the current bakery we have together.

  It makes me remember back to when Hatcher and I told her about our marriage. She told me if any man was willing to give me the world like he is, then he’s the keeper of my soul. It’s the same for Morgan and Jayden, they both hold the key to each other’s soul, and soon we’ll be planning her dream wedding all over again. The only difference that now it will honestly be to her dream man, not just the idea of a perfect wedding like before.