The Holiday Sweet Spot
Sophia Knightly
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-0-9989094-9-3
Copyright © 2020 by Victoria Koch
For Emilia, my darling mom in heaven, who was the inspiration for Emily—always filled with love, humor and gumption.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Martita, for your excellent editing and treasured friendship…and for loving each book more than the last!
Much love and gratitude to my husband Paul, and to our beautiful daughters, Genevieve and Jacqueline. Your endless support fills my heart with joy.
About THE HOLIDAY SWEET SPOT
Successful software developer Jake Radcliffe has no intention of staying in New York any longer than necessary. All he needs to do is help his widowed mother close her famed candy shop and move her to Florida before she breaks more bones on the icy sidewalks. He was prepared for his stubborn mother's objections. What he wasn't ready for was staying under the same roof with her tempting pastry chef.
Chef Pilar Falcon wants nothing to do with romance. Her ex-boyfriend made sure of that. Preparing for The Sweet Spot's 25th anniversary gala occupies most of her free time. So, avoiding her boss's grumpy and entirely too sexy son shouldn't be a problem. Except ... it is.
It's not long before Jake realizes there's more to Pilar than her endlessly cheerful holiday spirit--and Pilar takes notice of the warm heart Jake hides beneath his tough exterior. But then a rival for the business--and Jake's heart-- comes to the scene, testing Pilar's newfound trust in love. Will Pilar and Jake's Christmas romance melt by Valentine's Day, or will it be as sweetly seductive as a mouthful of chocolate?
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Excerpt — Scent of Love
About the Author
Look for these books by Sophia Knightly
Chapter 1
“What possessed me to spend the holidays away from my family?” Pilar said to her older sister, Erica. Clutching the handle of her suitcase, she lingered in the living room of their shared apartment. “I can’t believe I’m leaving for New York to work there for two weeks,” she said dazedly.
“Snap out of it, Pili,” Erica said. “Anyone would do the same if a dynamo like Emily Radcliffe gave them this amazing opportunity.”
Mrs. Emily Radcliffe owned The Sweet Spot, a jewel of a candy shop nestled between fashion boutiques on posh Madison Avenue.
“Emily is a legend in the Manhattan candy scene,” Pilar said reverently. “And she’s also really nice.”
The day after Thanksgiving, Emily had eaten with a group of friends at Tequila Sunset Restaurant, Pilar’s family restaurant where Pilar worked as a pastry chef. The renowned chocolatier had returned several times over the Thanksgiving weekend to sample all of Pilar’s desserts.
“I still can’t believe she came into the kitchen to praise my Kahlua flan. I felt so honored. It was a real high,” Pilar said.
“A sugar high,” Erica said drolly. “You’re lucky to be going on such an adventure.”
Pilar nodded with breathless excitement. It was a welcome change from the breakneck schedule of the past year, running a food truck part-time by day and creating desserts for the restaurant by night. The time away from her jobs and her loving but all-consuming family would help her decide where she wanted to be next year.
One thing was certain—it wouldn’t be at Tequila Sunset, holed up in the kitchen all day. She had already quit her food truck duties. Erica had taken over managing both trucks and had hired someone to replace Pilar.
Pilar looked down and fiddled with the luggage tag, feeling a pang of guilt over getting what Erica wanted more than anything—to leave Naples, Florida and expand her horizons. She lifted her gaze to meet Erica’s and instantly felt her sister’s longing.
“I feel selfish leaving,” Pilar said quietly.
Erica waved a dismissive hand. “It’s not selfish. I would do the same. I’ll hold down the fort while you’re gone. I need a break from manning the food trucks anyway. Leila and Benny will take over while I’m at the restaurant recreating your masterpieces.” She grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll follow your recipes to a T.”
“Thanks, but it doesn’t seem fair,” Pilar said, meaning it.
“Don’t worry. I plan to have an adventure of my own next year. I applied to study in Barcelona under Chef Sanz. Fingers crossed I’ll get accepted into his apprenticeship.”
“Sweet. I have a strong feeling you’ll get in.”
“Are you getting some kind of vibe from Chef Sanz?” Erica said playfully. Though she was teasing Pilar about her empath ability, ever since they’d started sharing an apartment, Erica seemed to acknowledge it more.
“Ha, I wish I had that superpower, but I’m no psychic.” Pilar laughed softly, though she sensed Erica’s wistfulness under her jesting. “I’m excited about going, but we’ve always been together at Christmastime. I’m going to miss all of you.”
“We’re going to miss you too, Pili.” Erica pulled her in for a quick, tight hug and stepped back to study her face. “What else is bothering you?”
“Nothing. I’m just sad that I’ll be spending Noche Buena away from my family, but I know I can’t have everything…” she trailed off, lifting one shoulder in a shrug.
“Pilar Falcon, don’t get sappy on me, not when we’re about to leave for the airport.” Erica’s green eyes sparkled. “New York will be gorgeous this time of year. The lights, the decorated store windows, the tree at Rockefeller Center, the angels at the skating rink, carriage rides in Central Park,” she said, ticking off everything with her fingers.
Pilar smiled at her picture-perfect sales pitch. “Sounds wonderful. Anyone would think you’ve been there.”
“Well, I haven’t, but I plan to someday.” Erica smoothed her long, dark strands from her face and said, “Emily’s offer is awesome. The top chocolatier in the city has commissioned you to make all the desserts for her store’s anniversary holiday party and you get to see how she runs her candy shop and you get to stay at her place. If that’s not a pinch-me moment, I don’t know what is.”
“You’re right,” Pilar agreed, elated. “It’s just the timing that’s screwy. New Year’s Eve was the day the shop opened 25 years ago, and the party has to happen on that day. And the employee party is scheduled just before Chr
istmas. I’ll be doing a full menu for that one, and Emily is paying me very well.”
“Good, then what are you worrying about? Nothing’s gonna change here while you’re gone. When you get back, the restaurant will still be crazy busy, even more with the snowbirds descending on us. You’ll be glad for the two-week break.” Erica made a production of gazing at her nails as she slyly said, “If you’re having second thoughts, I’ll trade places with you.”
“I’m not having second thoughts, but I wish you could come too. I barely slept last night from the excitement. I’m glad all of you got to meet Emily. You should have seen Abuelita’s happy dance when I told her about Emily’s offer. She said, ‘Niña, what are you waiting for? Every moment is a gift. Do it!’” Pilar said, mimicking her Latin accent.
Erica grinned. “You sound just like her.”
“You’re the one who’s like Abuelita, not me,” Pilar said. Erica was all take-charge and bluster, while Pilar was sensitive and introspective. “We’re lucky to have her still with us.”
“Truth,” Erica said right away.
Every year, the four Falcon siblings converged at their parents’ house on Christmas Eve. They celebrated Noche Buena with gift giving and a feast, followed by midnight mass. The next morning they’d feast on Abuelita’s tortillas, huevos rancheros and famous Aztec hot chocolate. Gabe and Lily would be joining with Xavier, their baby boy to celebrate his first Christmas.
“I can’t imagine waking up on Christmas morning and not having a mug of Abuelita’s delicious hot chocolate with everyone,” she said wistfully.
“Gabe should add it to the menu at Tequila Sunset and immortalize her.”
“Immortalize? Why? Do you think this is Abuelita’s last Christmas with us?” Pilar said, panicking at the thought.
Erica’s brows shot up. “No, why would you ask me that?”
Pilar worried her lower lip with her top teeth. “Over Thanksgiving, Abuelita said it might be her last holiday with us. Do you think she’s sick and isn’t letting on?”
Erica snorted. “Nope, we’ve heard her say that before.”
“Yes, but this time she sounded serious.”
“That’s because she was mad at Mamá for confiscating her high heels when she fell a couple of months ago. Good thing nothing happened to her. It’s amazing how she bounced back up and didn’t break anything.” She shook her head. “It’s like she’s made of rubber.”
“I know. But are you sure she’s OK?” Pilar asked, needing additional reassurance.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Erica said patiently. “I took her to see Dr. Rosales for what she calls her annual tune-up, and the doctor said that other than her usual aches and pains, she’s healthy as a horse.”
Pilar blew out a breath of pent-up air. “That’s a relief.”
“Yes, now quit being dramatic.”
Erica never sugar-coated anything, a trait that could be off-putting at times, but welcome today. They were as different as night and day and didn’t always get along, but there wasn’t a better sister, and Pilar wouldn’t trade Erica for the world. Sandwiched in pecking order between their brothers, Gabe, the older one, and Nico, the youngest, the girls always stuck together and held their own against their bossy brothers.
Erica jingled her car keys. “We should leave. Traffic has picked up since Thanksgiving weekend. It’s already six.”
“It’s nice of you to get up this early and brave the traffic,” Pilar said.
“No big deal. You’d do the same for me.”
“Of course.” Pilar glanced at the Christmas tree in the corner of their living room. Every year, she came up with a decorating theme and ran it by Erica. This time, she’d gone for whimsical fairy tales, festooning the tree with tiny white lights, swathing it with shimmering silk ribbons and adding homemade cookie ornaments.
“Don’t forget to water Sleeping Beauty,” Pilar said, invoking the name Erica had playfully chosen for the tree.
“How could I forget? You really outdid yourself, Pili. I love the sparkly pastel colors.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated. “After the awful date you had this weekend, I think it’s time to burn sage in every room and clear out the bad energy.”
“Sure. Whatever works.” Erica gave a noncommittal shrug. It was no secret she considered some of Pilar’s rituals to be a bunch of hocus pocus.
“Your horoscope for December says to tread carefully when it comes to romance.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “No worries there. I’m taking a break from dating until after the New Year.”
“Good idea. Indulge in some self-care. A spa day…meditation…yoga.”
“Not meditation. I can’t sit still that long, but I’ll get some yoga in. What about your horoscope? Any romance in the future? Not that I follow astrology,” she said, “but you do.”
“My horoscope is pretty good overall, but I’m not looking for romance at the moment.”
“When will you, then? It’s been a while since your break-up with Ben.”
Pilar grimaced. “Please. Don’t mention his name.”
Ben had turned her life upside down—and not in a good way. She’d fallen hard for him even though his situation was complicated. Divorced with a toddler that he had every weekend, he was a workaholic who often asked Pilar to watch his little daughter, Molly. In no time, she fell in love with Ben—and Molly—only to have him dump her when he decided to reconcile with his ex-wife. While she was glad for Molly’s sake, Pilar had felt devastated and betrayed.
“He duped me from the start,” Pilar said with a curl of her lip, “claiming his wife had cheated on him and that he’d never go back to her. But when I went to pick up Molly one day that he couldn’t, I met his ex, and got the feeling that it was Ben who had cheated, and not the other way around.”
Erica’s brows snapped together. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
She looked down, embarrassed. “I felt stupid. I should have listened to my gut and demanded the truth instead of letting my feelings for him get in the way.”
“Nobody’s perfect. Especially not me,” Erica said. “I’ve made my share of mistakes when it comes to guys. But you need to get back on the horse after you fall down, as the saying goes.”
How long was long enough to get over a devastating heartbreak? Pilar didn’t feel ready to date again. It had been six months since their break-up, and she was leery of falling in love again. The ache had been too deep. She’d lost her self-esteem and was trying to rebuild it.
Pilar shook her head to dispel memories of her past heartache and mistakes. It was time to forge ahead. “I doubt I’ll meet anyone while I’m in New York. I’ll be too busy working.”
“You never know,” Erica said lightly. “Keep your options open. I’ll be rooting for you.” Erica took hold of Pilar’s carry-on bag. “Come on. Better get going or you’ll miss your flight.”
Leaning against the marble kitchen counter in his mother’s Upper East Side apartment in New York, Jake Radcliffe lifted a mug to his lips and drank deeply of the dark roasted coffee. He hadn’t had a day like this in a long time. No deadlines, no trips, no jet lag, just quality time with his widowed mom.
He was relieved to see her doing well after a year of profound grieving over the loss of her husband, Jake’s father. When he’d commented on it, she’d told Jake that she was taking life one day at a time and drawing on the happy memories of her 40-year marriage to get through the holidays. Her recent trip to Naples, Florida, where she planned on retiring someday, had put a pep in her step and some color back in her once wan face.
For the past year, Jake had done his best to check in on her on a regular basis in spite of his hectic work travel schedule. Though his new software app consumed most of his free time, he worried about his mother’s wellbeing.
He’d shown up at her door last Friday, surprising her a full week early, and her reaction had been so joyful he’d felt like the prodigal son returning to the nest. She’d let out a loud
squeal of delight and smothered him with kisses before enveloping him in a tight hug, her slender arms gripping him with love.
He’d arrived in time to oversee her candy shop’s 25-year anniversary holiday party, though party planning was not one of his skills or favorite activities. Far from it. But he was glad to ease her burden, especially since she was only throwing the party out of a sense of duty. When she’d confessed that she wasn’t feeling up to doing anything, he’d offered to help, and she promptly put him in charge of it. She’d assured him that she would hire an excellent assistant for him and that her senior staff, who’d been with her from the start, would be at his disposal.
Jake liked order in all things and was a stickler for organization. Where he was a planner, his mother was impulsive and given to extravagances. But so far, the preparations were lining up well. Keeping her preferences in mind, he had secured the venue, the music and the holiday flowers far in advance. She’d wanted the party held at Carnegie Hall in one of their special venue rooms with a sit-down meal. For centerpieces, she wanted multi-colored arrangements and for the music, a five-piece band with a lead singer.
The one thing missing was dessert – her weakness. When he’d suggested ordering a cake, she had balked at the very idea, saying it would be underwhelming to have just one cake for dessert. The Sweet Spot candy shop was known for its artisan chocolate creations. She wanted desserts with so much pizzazz that her guests would talk about them for months afterwards.
The Holiday Sweet Spot: An opposites attract, gorgeous, feel-good romantic comedy (Falcons in Love Book 2) Page 1