Three Sisters Catering Trilogy E-Book

Bethany Lopez

• Herausgeber: Bethany Lopez
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

A boxset of the Three Sisters Catering Trilogy by Bethany Lopez, including A Pinch of Salt, A Touch of Cinnamon, and A Splash of Vanilla. 

A Pinch of Salt - When single dad and English teacher, Jackson, hires chef and entrepreneur, Millie, to cater his daughter's birthday party, things really start heating up. 

A Touch of Cinnamon - Sexy restauranteur, Jericho, wants to remind smart yet stubborn Tasha that together they make the perfect dish in this sizzling second-chance romance.

A Splash of Vanilla - Dru doesn't expect to fall for Mick when she hires him to find her father, but something about this gruff, muscular PI brings just the right amount of spice to her life. 

Leseprobe

Three Sisters Catering Trilogy

Bethany Lopez

Contents

A Pinch of Salt

Prologue

1. Millie

2. Jackson

3. Millie

4. Jackson

5. Millie

6. Jackson

7. Millie

8. Jackson

9. Millie

10. Jackson

11. Millie

12. Jackson

13. Millie

14. Jackson

15. Millie

16. Jackson

17. Millie

18. Jackson

19. Millie

20. Jackson

21. Millie

22. Jackson

23. Millie

24. Jackson

25. Millie

26. Jackson

27. Millie

28. Jackson

29. Millie

30. Jackson

31. Millie

32. Jackson

33. Millie

34. Jackson

35. Millie

36. Jackson

37. Millie

38. Jackson

39. Millie

40. Jackson

41. Millie

42. Jackson

43. Millie

44. Jackson

Epilogue - Millie

A Touch of Cinnamon

Prologue

45. Natasha

46. Jericho

47. Natasha

48. Jericho

49. Natasha

50. Jericho

51. Natasha

52. Jericho

53. Natasha

54. Jericho

55. Natasha

56. Jericho

57. Natasha

58. Jericho

59. Natasha

60. Jericho

61. Natasha

62. Jericho

63. Natasha

64. Jericho

65. Natasha

66. Jericho

67. Natasha

68. Jericho

69. Natasha

70. Jericho

71. Natasha

72. Jericho

73. Natasha

74. Jericho

75. Natasha

76. Jericho

77. Natasha

78. Jericho

79. Natasha

80. Jericho

81. Natasha

82. Jericho

83. Natasha

84. Jericho

85. Natasha

86. Jericho

Epilogue - Natasha

A Splash of Vanilla

Prologue

87. Dru

88. Mick

89. Dru

90. Mick

91. Dru

92. Mick

93. Dru

94. Mick

95. Dru

96. Mick

97. Dru

98. Mick

99. Dru

100. Mick

101. Dru

102. Mick

103. Dru

104. Mick

105. Dru

106. Mick

107. Dru

108. Mick

109. Dru

110. Mick

111. Dru

112. Mick

113. Dru

114. Mick

115. Dru

116. Mick

117. One - Dru

118. Mick

119. Dru

120. Mick

121. Dru

122. Mick

Epilogue - Dru

Epilogue Two - Dru

Did you enjoy the Three Sisters Catering trilogy? Want to read about their brothers? Check out book 1 in their spin off series, Frat House Confessions: Ridge.

Frat House Confessions: Ridge

Also by Bethany Lopez

About the Author

Three Sisters Catering

Copyright 2020 Bethany Lopez

Published August 2020

ISBN - 9781657169500

Cover Design by Makeready Designs

Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli

Proofreading by KMS Freelance Editing

Formatting by Bethany Lopez

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

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, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Created with Vellum

For Allie, thanks for all of your hard work over the years, for putting up with me, and for creating such beautiful works of art!

A Pinch of Salt

Three Sisters Catering, Book 1

Prologue

“To Three Sisters Catering,” my sister Tasha said, her face beaming as she raised her glass of champagne. “May it be a smashing success.”

“And make us happy,” my twin, Dru, added as our glasses came together with a tink.

“And, allow us to share our gifts with others,” I said, my eyes tearing up as I looked at the happy faces of my two favorite people in the world.

“Salude,” we chimed, then tipped the pretty flutes back.

I sighed as the chilled bubbly liquid trailed down my throat. Champagne tasted happy, like a celebration, and drinking it I just knew we’d made the right choice in opening our own business. Even if our Aunt Priscilla told us we were nuts, or the guy who ran the restaurant on the corner glared at us every time we walked by … I felt it in my gut.

I’d always dreamed of not only cooking and baking for a living, but also of doing it my own way, in my own business. It just so happened that my sisters were my best friends who just so happened to share the same dream of being their own bosses.

“Momma would be so proud,” Tasha said, her smile dimming a bit at the memory of our mother.

“She’d have said, ‘forget the champagne, this calls for tequila,’” Dru added softly, causing Tasha and me to laugh.

Rather than respond, I raised my glass in memory of our mother, and took a sip.

We’d taken the death of our mother very hard. She’d always been our rock, our sounding board, and our champion. We’d talked to various doctors and specialists, but in the end, the best we could do was be there, and make her comfortable.

This is for you, Momma. I swear, I’ll do everything in my power to make this business work, and I’ll take care of my sisters just like you’d want me to.

The chimes in the window made a beautiful melody, even though the windows were closed, and I knew it was our mother acknowledging my promise.

“I can’t believe we get to move into our new building tomorrow and actually get started,” Dru said excitedly. After months of planning and paperwork, it was hard to believe that our dream was finally coming to fruition.

“We’re going to be crazy busy for the next few months, so I say we enjoy a nice dinner, then get some rest,” I said practically, my mind already plotting out all the things I wanted to do in the kitchen.

“That sounds good, Millie, but first, we need to make a little pit stop.”

“What for?” Dru asked Tasha.

“Tequila, of course,” our raven-haired sister replied, and I went from daydreaming about stocking my new pantry to hoping I didn’t wake up on my first day as a business owner with a massive hangover.

Millie

“Where the hell is Dru?” Tasha asked with a scowl as she stomped into my kitchen.

“Ah, I think she said she was going to check out decorations for the upcoming Wilson event,” I answered as I rolled out dough on the floured table. “Why, what’s up?”

“Mrs. Chapman just corned me for forty-five minutes about her daughter’s baby shower,” Tasha complained. “Dru promised me she’d handle it. She knows how that woman drives me batty.”

“Where’d she catch you?” I asked as I kneaded.

“On my way out of the bathroom at the deli.”

“Yikes,” I said with a chuckle.

“She blocked the sink, so I had to listen to her gripe while I waited to wash my hands. She held me hostage, Mills.”

I laughed at the look of pure horror on my younger sister’s face.

“What else do you have this afternoon?” I asked, trying to take her mind off of her hostage situation.

“I’m going to stop by the printers and pick up the new business cards, then run over to the event space and make sure everything is on schedule for tonight. Can you hold down the fort?”

“Sure thing,” I replied, smacking my lips together to blow her a kiss, since my hands were covered in dough.

“Thanks, babe,” Tasha said, then left as quickly as she’d entered.

Three Sister’s Catering had started out as strictly a catering business, but over the last year we’d added a small seating area and counter in the front of the store. Now, not only did we offer a full catering menu for events, but we sold assorted coffee, tea, and pastries.

We’d never planned on having a storefront, it had just happened organically.

I loved trying out new recipes and baking when I didn’t have an order for catering, and I’d ended up with an abundance of product. Initially, I’d just bring some out when Tasha or Dru were meeting with clients, then it had morphed into a daily occurrence.

Now, we were open every morning, except Mondays, for people to stop in and grab a snack.

Dru had relished the opportunity to decorate the front of the house, and had made the little dining area into a warm and sophisticated place to stop and enjoy a quick break.

I was just putting the bread in the oven for tonight’s bridal shower, when I heard the telltale jingle of the door being opened in the front.

“Be right out,” I called as I gave my hands a good scrub and took off my dusty apron.

“Okay,” a male voice returned.

I checked the small mirror I’d secured on the walk-in, to make sure I didn’t have flour on my face, then walked out front with a smile for the waiting customer.

I stumbled a little at the sight of him.

Tall and thin, but with a nice set of biceps peeking out of his shirt, so you knew he was fit. A mop of wavy brown hair, a sweet, if somewhat panicked-looking face, and, be still my heart, glasses.

“Good morning,” I managed, my tone coming out somewhat breathless as I tried to maintain a warm but professional demeanor.

“It will be, if you can help me,” he replied hopefully, wringing his hands together as his eyes took on a doe-like quality.

Yes, I thought, I can help you with whatever you need, just look at me like that every day for the rest of my life.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, sure my cheeks were turning red.

Then he smiled, and two dimples appeared.

Seriously? I looked around the store for hidden cameras. Are my sisters playing tricks on me? This guy cannot be real. Or any more adorable.

“I know it’s last minute, but I have an emergency. I need to hire you to cater my daughter’s ninth birthday party.”

And, there it is … the punchline. Mr. Adorable Dimples is married with a family.

I looked down at his ringed finger, smothered my disappointment, and gave him an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, we don’t do children’s parties.”

When his face fell, I wanted to snatch the words back.

“We just don’t have those types of decorations on hand,” I added, hoping to soften the rejection. “There’s a party supply store around the block; I’m sure they’ll have what you need.”

He shook his head and I tilted my head back to get a better look at him. Damn, he was really tall.

“I wish it were that simple. Kayla’s outgrown the kind of birthday party I could give her. If we were still talking about Frozen, I could turn our living room into a winter wonderland and decorate the shit out of it.” He winced and said, “Sorry,” and I assumed he was talking about swearing. Which, jeez, could he get any cuter.

“What does she want?” I asked, even though I knew I should send him on his way and get back to work. I found I didn’t want him to leave yet.

I was such a brat.

“A tea party,” he replied, making tea party sound like a bad word. “I’ve never even had a drop of tea, let alone made an entire party out of it.”

I bit back a chuckle at his obvious distress, and asked, “Can’t your wife help?”

His face looked pained, then he let out a sigh and said, “She, uh, left us, almost a year ago. We haven’t heard from her since, so … no, I’m on my own with this one.”

“I’m so sorry,” I managed, feeling like a giant heel for getting so personal. I took a step forward, intent on touching his arm to offer comfort, then stopped when I realized what I was doing.

He waved off my apology and ranted, “Kayla’s best friend had a tea party for her birthday, and all K could talk about was the little sandwiches and the pretty cups.” He looked at me with wide eyes. “I know how to make two-fisted sandwiches, but finger sandwiches…”

He ran a hand through his hair, which was longer on top and short on the sides, and I bit my lip so I wouldn’t smile at his adorable frustration.

“When does Kayla want this tea party?” I asked, even though I knew we didn’t have time in our schedule to fit in a last-minute event.

“Saturday.”

My mind started working as I thought about everything I had to do in the next two days, and what we had on hand to make a little girl’s ninth birthday tea party magical.

I walked around the counter and picked up our book, then flipped through the pages until I got to the event sheets.

“Here,” I said, walking back to him with a clipboard and pen. “Fill this out with the date, time, place, and budget, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“Seriously?” he asked, his handsome face blossoming with hope.

“Seriously,” I replied with a nod, then gasped when he crushed me to him in a bear hug.

“You’re a lifesaver,” he said, but all I could focus on were his long arms around my body, and my cheek plastered against his warm chest. It was deliciously firm, he smelled amazing, and I could hear the soothing sound of his beating heart. “An angel,” he amended, then let me go.

I looked up at his smiling face, and my heart rolled over like a happy little gymnast.

Oh, boy…

He filled out the sheet and handed it to me with a sweet grin.

“I’ll talk with my sisters and be in touch,” I said as I looked down at the paper, then back up at him. “Jackson.”

“I can’t wait, Millie,” Jackson replied, then winked at me, winked at me, and walked out the door.

I stood there for a moment, frozen in place by that wink, wondering how he knew my name. Then I remembered … it was sewn into my chef coat.

Jackson

Hugging her had probably been a bad idea, but, damn, it sure felt good.

It started out innocently enough. I really had stepped into Three Sisters Catering with the intention of begging, pleading, and bartering for a party for Kayla. Then she’d stepped out from the back … the sexiest brunette in a chef’s coat I’d ever seen.

And the way her curves had fit snuggly against me, her head resting perfectly just below my chin … Well, let’s just say my body hadn’t reacted to a woman in that way since well before my wife left me.

I’d ended up stuttering and stumbling my way out of there. I think I winked for God’s sake.

What a tool.

The important thing was that she’d said yes, they’d consider catering K’s party. I’d been trying so hard to give Kayla everything she needed since Julie had walked out of our lives. I couldn’t always give her what she wanted monetarily, but she knew she was the most important thing in my life, and I really wanted to make this birthday special. It was the first one since her mother disappeared, and I needed to prove that we could do this without her, that I could do this without her.

With the help of a catering company, that is.

“Running behind, Jackson?” Principal Wiggins called as I rushed through the entry door of the high school where I worked.

“Yeah, sorry,” I called with a wave as I headed toward my classroom, pulling open the door just as the final bell rung.

“Busted,” one of the students called out as I walked to my desk with a sheepish smile.

“Tardy, Mr. H,” another student said.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said with a chuckle. “Calm down.”

Since my class was an Advanced English class, most of the students I had were there because they wanted to be, not just to fill a mandatory block on their schedule. We’d been in school for a couple months now, so I knew most of my students pretty well, and they knew what kind of teacher I was. I’d never been late before, so they had to give me shit, even though I was usually understanding when one of them were tardy.

“Car break down?”

“Alarm didn’t go off?”

“Dog ate your homework?”

I let them get it all out while I placed my things on my desk and got out my lesson plan. Once I walked to the center of the room, they knew I was ready for business, and the good-natured taunts died down.

“Hamlet,” I began, adjusting my glasses slightly as I surveyed the faces in the room. “Act three, scene one. Let’s discuss.”

It was one of those days where I was already exhausted by lunch. I was distracted, thoughts of Kayla’s birthday and the morning’s discussion of Hamlet buzzing around in my brain, so I didn’t realize that I was about to run into one of the other teachers until I was right up on her.

“Oh,” Rebecca Webber cried, as I reached a hand out to steady her.

“Sorry,” I said as I took a step back.

I caught the slight blush on the history teacher’s cheeks as she replied, “That’s okay.”

I nodded, then walked around her into the lounge. I headed to the table, where I sat with the other two male teachers in my school. Rob, who taught Algebra One, and Tyson, who taught Health and Physical Education.

They were already there, catching up on their weekend, when I sat down and started pulling out the items from my homemade lunch, which was identical to the one I’d made for my daughter that morning.

“‘Sup, Jackson?” Rob asked as he downed the soda that he’d sworn to his wife he’d give up.

“I was late today,” I admitted as I opened the baggie that held my peanut butter and Nutella sandwich. “You should have seen the look on Wiggins’ face. It’s not like I make a habit out of it or anything.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Ty said with a wave of his hand. “Sounds like he’s pissed off about shit at home, at least that’s the word on the streets. It’s not personal; he knows you’re one of the best around.”

“Why was Mr. Perfect late anyway?” Rob asked with a grin, so I knew he was just messing with me.

“I stopped off at that catering business on Main, the one across from Prime Beef.”

“That place is hot,” Ty said. “I always book a table if I have a lady I want to impress. I’m talking about Prime Beef, not the catering place. I’ve never been there.”

“I have, they have those delicious breakfast pastries,” Rob answered.

“Anyway, Kayla wants to have a tea party for her birthday, and since I haven’t the first idea how to make that happen, I thought I’d give them a try.”

“A tea party? What the hell do you do at one of those?” Rob asked.

“I don’t know, eat tiny sandwiches and drink tea, I guess,” I replied, then looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to our conversation before lowering my voice and adding, “The woman who works there is the hottest woman I’ve ever seen.”

That sparked their interest, so they both leaned in closer.

“What does she look like?” Ty asked.

“‘Bout five-four, five-five, with perfect curves, full lips, and the eyes of an angel.”

“Hair?” Rob asked, causing Ty and me to give him matching looks. “What, you know I’m a hair man.”

I shrugged. “It’s dark and long, but hard to really tell because it was up in a bun. Which gave me unadorned access to her perfect face … She was nice, sweet even, and when I hugged her…”

“Hugged her?” Rob asked.

“Damn, Jackson, you work fast,” Ty added with a chuckle.

“It was an impulse; I didn’t mean to attack her or anything. She said she’d see what they could do to help me with the party, and I automatically hugged her.”

“And it was?”

“Perfect,” I admitted. “She smelled sweet, felt even better, and tucked right in and hugged me back.”

“Wow,” Ty said, and I knew he and Rob were thinking the same thing I was. This was the first time I’d had even an ounce of attraction for a woman since Julie left.

“Are you going to ask her out?” Rob asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. It was complicated, what with me being a single dad who was technically still married. But, I’d left that store feeling something I hadn’t felt in a really long time: excited.

I looked my friends in the eye as I opened my tapioca pudding and said, “You know what? I think I will.”

Millie

“What’s this?” Dru asked, the tone of her voice causing me to look up from tarts I was finishing up for tonight’s event.

It took me a minute to realize what she was talking about, as she waved a piece of paper in the air.

“Oh, it’s a last-minute tea party for a little girl,” I replied, trying to sound like it was no big deal.

“No shit, last minute,” my twin exclaimed, one hand on her hip, while she used the other to shake the paper at me. “I don’t have time for this. Literally, don’t have time. Why did you say we’d take this on, Millie? You know we’re jam-packed for the next four days.”

“I know that, I do, and I don’t expect you to do a thing. I’ll take care of it.”

“You’ll take care of it.”

“Yup,” I said, then grew wary when Dru narrowed her eyes at me. My sister never missed a thing.

“Why, Millie?” she asked as she stalked toward me. “Why, after a year of cooking and baking, like the genius you are, but not crossing over into event planning, management, or budgeting, will you be taking over this event on your own?”

Shit, I need to get her off the scent…

“Because,” I began as my mind raced. Although I was the oldest by two minutes, my twin always seemed to know what I was going to do before I did, and I didn’t want her to read anything into this tea party. I was only trying to help out a father and his daughter who’d had a rough time. That was it … no hidden agenda here. “I know how busy we are, and I also know that when I’m done with the food, you and Tash will still be busy pulling off another successful event. So … when the man came in needing help with his daughter’s birthday, and I could see how desperate he was, I figured it wouldn’t kill me to step out of the kitchen and pull off this small event.”

Dru was watching me closely, so I continued my verbal vomit.

“Plus, this may gain us new clients and give us a chance to branch out in a new direction. I can handle it, Dru, promise.”

“But, we’d decided months ago that we weren’t going to do children’s parties.”

“True,” I said with a nod, wishing I’d hear the sound of a customer entering the building so I could get out of this situation. “But, it’s a tea party, which we’ve done in the past. So, although it’s technically for a child, it’s not exactly a children’s party, at least not in the sense that we’d spoken about. No piñatas, or cartoon characters … and, we have supplies in the back already, so, really, it was a no-brainer.”

“A no-brainer, huh?”

“Yup.”

“And, did this Jackson have anything to do with your sudden interest in stepping out of the kitchen?” Dru asked as she looked down at the event sheet, then back up at me.

I felt the blush rise up from my neck, and watched Dru’s lips turn up as she grinned victoriously.

Busted.

“Tell me,” she demanded, so I did.

“Oh my Gosh, Dru, you wouldn’t believe it. At first, I thought you and Tash had sent him in here to trick me or something,” I admitted, grabbing a towel to wipe my hands as I crossed to her. “Tall, crazy tall, with a runner’s body and brown hair that’s short on the sides, but kind of floppy on top. And he had dimples, and glasses … It was like he walked out of the pages of my sixteen-year-old self’s diary.”

“Wow,” Dru replied, then took in my face and asked, “So, what’s the catch?”

“Married,” I admitted with a frown. “I mean, he said his wife walked out and left him and their daughter, Kayla, a year ago, but, he was still wearing the ring.”

“Ouch, that’s terrible. For them, I mean, and for you. I’m sorry the man of your dreams walks in and he’s already taken, but, if it’s been a year, it must be really over, right? Maybe he just forgot to take it off.”

I knew Dru was trying to see the bright side of things, and wanted me to be happy, but I wasn’t sure that I should go there.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “It seems like a pretty complicated situation. I’m just going to do my best to give that little girl the best tea party she’s ever seen. She deserves it. I can’t even fathom our mom ever willingly leaving us.”

“That’s cause it wouldn’t happen,” Dru said with a sad smile. “But, you’re right, it should be about the girl. I’ll take you in the back and show you what we have on hand for a tea party. You should be set, all you’ll need to do is make the food, set up, and clean up, and it should go off without a hitch.”

“Thanks, Dru. I know it puts us in a tight spot, but I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I didn’t believe I could pull it off.”

“I know,” my sister said with a smile as she threw an arm around my shoulder. “You’re such a softy.”

“Am not,” I argued, even though I knew I totally was.

“Yeah, right. I’ve known you for almost all of your twenty-eight years, so I consider myself an expert of the subject. This Jackson guy was lucky that it was you he ran into and not me or Tash. Maybe it was fate,” Dru suggested with a nudge of her shoulder.

“Stop.”

“What? Mom always said she’d make sure we’d find our perfect partners, even if she had to meddle from the other side. Maybe she sent Jackson your way.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, shoving her softly as we walked into the back room.

Dru just laughed, but her words played over and over again in my head. And, despite my rational brain telling me that getting involved with Jackson would be an unwise decision, my heart welled with something that felt a lot like hope.

Jackson

“You want a snack, K?” I asked as my daughter settled at the kitchen table to do her homework.

We had a strict do your homework first thing after school policy, so our evenings were usually the same. Kayla would walk the two blocks from her school to mine, we’d ride home together, and she’d do her homework while I made dinner. After, she usually caught up with one of her friends while I graded papers or worked on lesson plans, and before bed, we’d watch a couple episodes of whatever show we were binge-watching.

Currently, we were on The Goldbergs, which we both found hilarious.

“Sure,” Kayla replied with a half shrug as she started on her math worksheet.

I smiled at the back of her head, thinking how great it was that we were finally in a place where we were both content, and my daughter was happy.

Julie’s abandonment had hit us both hard, and Kayla had taken quite a while to recover. I’d spent many nights holding her while she cried herself to sleep. It was hard for me, a thirty-year-old man, to understand why my wife of nine years had left without looking back. It was impossible for our eight-year-old daughter to comprehend.

She went from having her mom drive her to gymnastics, help her with her homework, and laugh with her over Girl Meets World, to listening to her mother tell her she needed a life of her own, then walk out the door.

I swear, if I ever saw Julie again, I’d kill her for those words alone.

My wife and I had never been over the moon in love with each other, but we’d shared a healthy relationship, love for our daughter, and what I’d thought had been an unbreakable support for one another.

Her leaving had totally blindsided me.

I was placing a plate of cut-up apples and a spoonful of peanut butter on a plate in front of Kayla when my cell phone started to ring.

When I looked at the unknown number, my heart clenched like it always did when I wondered if this was the day Julie was going to reach out.

There’s no way she would actually leave her daughter and never look back, right? I mean, me, I could get, but Kayla? I’d never understand it.

“Uh, hello,” I managed, becoming embarrassed at the nerves in my tone. I saw Kayla glance up from her sheet, and my heart sank at the look of hope on her face.

“Hello, is this Jackson?” a light, sweet voice asked, and I let out a sigh of relief.

It was Millie, from the catering place.

“It is,” I replied, unable to keep the smile off of my face.

“Hey, this is Millie, from Three Sisters Catering.”

“It’s great to hear from you, Millie,” I replied, and dammit, it really was. I hadn’t been this excited to talk to a girl on the phone since high school.

I could tell she didn’t know how to respond, because I heard a nervous laugh, then she said, “I’m, ah, calling to let you know that we’re all set for Saturday. I’ll plan to arrive at two to set up and be ready to serve from three to four. Are there any allergies or dislikes I need to know about?”

“Um, no, I don’t think so,” I replied, then added, “Thank you so much. I know it was last minute, and not something you would normally even do. You’re really saving me here. I can’t thank you enough.”

“It’s no problem,” Millie replied, before pausing and saying, “I’ll contact you if I have any questions, but I think you covered it all on the sheet. I’ll see you Saturday.”

“I can’t wait,” I said, truthfully.

“Goodbye, Jackson.”

“Goodbye. And, thanks again.”

I pressed the end button, still smiling, then glanced up to see Kayla watching me with an odd expression.

“Who was that?” she asked, her tone surprisingly surly.

“That was your good news,” I replied, ignoring her tone and crossing to lean over the table, stopping when my face was inches from hers. “You’re not going to believe it.”

“What?” Kayla asked, her tone still wary, but her face starting to react to my excitement.

“That was the catering company that’s going to be here to put on the best tea party ever, for my favorite daughter’s birthday.”

“Really?” she squealed, all surliness gone.

“Really, really.”

Kayla jumped up and rounded the table to jump into my waiting arms.

“Thanks, Daddy,” she murmured, and my heart filled with joy.

“Anything for my baby girl,” I replied, bending slightly to drop a kiss on the top of her head.

Kayla pulled back and grinned up at me.

“I can’t wait to tell everyone. A sleepover and a tea party? This is going to be the best birthday ever!”

I chuckled as she practically danced back to her seat.

“Can I call them?” she asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

I just smiled and gave my head a small shake.

“After homework.”

“Boo,” Kayla replied, but she was still beaming.

I went back to my dinner prep, my heart light as I watched my daughter go back to her homework with a smile on her face, and I sent a silent thanks to Millie, the sweet and sexy chef who’d unwittingly saved the day.

Millie

I may have gone a little overboard, but once I’d started thinking about different tea party ideas, I couldn’t help but want to make it a birthday this little girl would never forget.

I’d chosen a delicate tea set with pretty pink rosebuds, lots of pretty pastel decorations, and flowers. Tons of flowers.

Colorful macaroons, sweet little sandwiches, and tiers of cupcakes, coupled with strawberry punch, lots of fun candies, and cut outs for a photo booth, all teamed together to make a nine-year old’s birthday dream a reality.

My sisters and I had loved playing dress up as girls, and being in the kitchen had always been my passion, so it hadn’t been hard to tap into my inner child when deciding what to do for Kayla.

I just hope she likes it.

I was getting out of my 4Runner and heading to open the back when the front door opened and Jackson came out of the house and jogged toward me.

I don’t know why, but I found him jogging toward me in loose jeans and bare feet strangely sexy.

“Hey, hi, how are you?” Jackson asked as he approached, causing me to smile up at him.

“Great, how are you?” I countered as I opened the back and bent to pull out a container.

“Let me help,” he said, suddenly right behind me. His breath hit my neck and I barely suppressed a shudder. “I’m great as well. So excited that you’re here … er … that you could do this party for K.”

“I’m happy we could fit it in. I had a lot of fun putting it together,” I admitted. “I hope she loves it.”

He grabbed a couple containers out of the back and gave me a sincere grin.

“I’m sure she will.”

I let him lead the way into the sweet little ranch-style house. It had an open floorplan, with the large living room leading into the kitchen and eat-in dining area. The style was comfortable, but contemporary. It definitely had a woman’s touch.

“You can use anything you’d like. I figured we’d set up the table for the tea party, but that’s about as far as I got.”

“Don’t worry, I brought everything,” I assured him, then went back out for another load, with Jackson hot on my heels.

“So, how have you been?” Jackson asked, and I could swear he sounded as nervous as I felt.

“Great. Busy. We have a total of five events this weekend, including yours, so I spent most of my night, and morning, in the kitchen.”

“Wow,” he said, catching my eyes with his as he lifted the box full of china. “I hope I didn’t make things more difficult. Sorry about the last-minute request.”

“Careful,” I warned, then gave him a warm smile. “It’s no problem, really. I usually stay in the kitchen, chained to the stove,” I chuckled softly. “My twin sister, Dru, she’s the event planner and decorating queen, while our younger sister, Tasha, is the brains behind the business. She’s our business manager and accountant. They are really the faces of the company. Scheduling, planning, and executing events. I’m much happier planning the menus and making the food. This is actually the first event that I’ve headed up myself.”

“Well, thanks, really. I’m sorry to give you more work, but I’m extremely grateful that you agreed to help.”

Jackson’s smile was so sincere that I felt my heart swell as my stomach did a nervous little dance.

“It’s my pleasure,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm as I took out the last few bags and shut the door. “Those must be getting heavy,” I added, indicating the china and hoping to get the attention off of myself and get to work. I hated being the center of attention, and appreciated the fact that my sisters were happy to take the spotlight off of me and allow me to hide in my kitchen.

We got everything inside and put on the counter, then Jackson said he was going to go check on Kayla, and I got started.

First, I laid out a pastel-pink table cloth and covered it with a white lace runner, then I set up my serving platters and display racks. I covered the chairs with matching pink covers, then tied a large white bow to the back of each.

When Jackson walked back into the room, I was strategically placing the vases of flowers that I’d pre-arranged around his dining area.

“How long was I gone?” Jackson asked, his head swiveling around comically.

I laughed and said, “I’m used to working fast.”

“Do you need any help?” he asked, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, could you take all of the candy necklaces out of the wrapping and hang them on that jewelry holder?”

While Jackson began opening the plastic bags, I crossed to my bakery boxes and began organizing the goodies on the table.

“So, Millie,” Jackson began, causing me to look up from my macaroon placement. “I was wondering if you’re … taken, and if not, do you think you might want to go out sometime … with me?”

I blinked slowly as the blood rushed through my body, but as I opened my mouth to speak a squeal came from the hallway.

“Oh. My. Goodness.”

A pretty little girl, with long wavy hair and a huge smile, stood there with her hands up in the air. She was already dressed for her party in a pretty pink dress that matched my decorations perfectly.

I gave myself a mental high five, then watched as Jackson smiled beautifully at his daughter as he crossed the room and lifted her in his arms.

“Do you like it?” he asked, laughing as she threw her arms around his neck.

“I love it, Daddy!” she cried, and I felt the back of my eyes burn.

Jackson put her back on her feet and she ran over to where I was finishing up the table.

Kayla placed her hand on the lace and ran her hand over it reverently, then looked up at me with her father’s smile and asked, “Did you do this?”

I nodded and replied, “Guilty,” then gasped when the little girl crashed into me and hugged my waist.

Jackson

The next couple hours were a whirlwind of giggles, tiny sandwiches, and enough sugar to ensure that I was in for a long night.

Millie was amazing.

Not only were her decorations on point, and her food delicious, she’d kept the girls entertained and had successfully given my little girl the party of her dreams. I hadn’t seen Kayla smile this much since her mother left, and I was eternally grateful to Millie for that.

If I hadn’t already planned on asking Millie out, and I guess I sort of had, even though we’d been interrupted, I definitely would have wanted to take her out after seeing her interact with my daughter and her five boisterous friends.

Now the tea party was over, and the girls had all escaped to the backyard to jump on the trampoline while Millie and I cleaned up.

She was currently boxing up the props she’d used for the tea party photo booth, while I was slyly popping leftover macaroons in my mouth.

“I saw that,” Millie said with a chuckle.

I turned, mouth full and a sheepish look on my face, to see her holding the sunglasses prop over her eyes and waggling her eyebrows.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, covering my mouth with my hand so I wouldn’t show her my food. “I couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she replied, dropping the glasses in the box. “I take it as a compliment.”

Once I swallowed, I said, “And you should. Everything was amazing. Really, I can’t thank you enough. K had a blast.”

“I did too,” Millie responded with a sweet smile. “I didn’t realize how much fun I was missing out on by always being in the kitchen. I’ll have to talk to Dru and Tasha about helping out more.”

“You’re a natural.”

“Thanks,” she said, her cheeks turning pink, and I could tell she was uncomfortable with praise. Millie pointed at the leftover food and changed the subject. “Do you have Tupperware containers you want that in, or do you want me to leave the boxes?”

“I have something, just a sec.”

I rounded the island in my kitchen and crouched down to get to my containers, while mentally prepping myself to re-approach the question I’d asked earlier. I understood her not wanting to answer in front of the girls, but I was dying to know if she’d go out with me, and I was slightly terrified to ask again.

I’d barely worked up the courage to ask her out once, the thought of doing it again had my palms sweating.

“Here we are,” I said as I popped up and placed the assorted rectangles on the counter.

“Perfect,” Millie replied, crossing the room with the dishes of leftovers.

I cleared my throat as she started placing the items in the containers, but when I raised my head to pose my question again, Millie beat me to it.

“About what you asked earlier,” she began, her head bent as if she were laser focused on boxing up leftovers. “I just don’t know if it’s a good idea…”

My stomach dropped as disappointment filtered through me.

“Oh,” I began, unsure how to respond.

“It’s not that I don’t want to go out with you,” Millie said in a rush, her eyes coming up to find mine, so I could see the sincerity in her gaze. “I do. I mean, we only just met, but I like you, Jackson.”

“Then why?” I asked, confused by her contradicting words.

The she glanced down at my left hand, and I dropped my head to see what she was looking at.

My wedding ring.

I wanted to slap myself in the head and apologize for being so obtuse. I honestly hadn’t thought about the ring once over the last year, but how did I get Millie to believe I wasn’t holding some torch for Julie?

“Have you ever worn a piece of jewelry for ten years and just sort of gotten used to it being there? Like I assume it is with earrings?” I asked, not really expecting her to answer, just hoping she’d understand. “I haven’t lied to you.”

“I know that,” Millie replied quickly, her hand reaching out to cover mine. “I believe that you’re separated, but I couldn’t help notice that you still wear your ring. Plus, you share a beautiful daughter with the woman that you’re still married to.”

“Yes, it’s complicated, but I promise you, it’s over. I’m not waiting for her to come back and pick up where we left off. Hell, there’s no way I’d take her back even if she wanted me to,” I explained, hoping Millie could hear the sincerity in my voice.

Millie nodded, and as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth, I could tell she was still on the fence, which gave me hope. It meant she didn’t want to say no.

“What if we just met for coffee?” I suggested. “We can take things slow … get to know each other.”

I held my breath as I waited for her to reply. I could almost see the argument going on in her head, and I hoped that I came out on top.

Finally, Millie patted my hand before taking hers back, then smiled softly and said, “I’d like that.”

Not even bothering to hold back, I grinned broadly and clapped my hands together once.

“Fantastic.”

I helped Millie load the decorations and tea set into her 4Runner, then walked her to the door and held it open as she got into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll call you to set up coffee,” I said before shutting the door.

The desire to kiss her was great, but since I’d just promised to take it slow, I figured it was best to keep that desire in check.

“I look forward to it,” Millie replied, then I shut the door and stood there as she drove away.

After she was out of sight, I looked down and twisted the gold band on my finger, then pulled it off and held it in the palm of my hand. It looked like it was time for me to pay more attention to the things I was holding on to, and start packing them away.

Also, it was time for me to find my wife.

Millie

“So, how’d it go with Mr. Adorable Dimples?” Tasha asked as we stretched out. We were off Mondays and that’s when we got together with our adult recreation soccer league. The three of us had been playing soccer since we could walk, and enjoyed getting out and playing whenever we could.

Which wasn’t as much as we’d like, now that business was booming.

“I already told Dru the whole story last night …It was good,” I said vaguely, hiding my smirk when Tasha started to pout.

“Well, I was working last night so I missed the girl talk. You can’t hold that against me, Mills, I was bringing home the bacon,” Tasha complained as she crouched down.

“Fine,” I said with mock exasperation,” I’ll give you the cliff notes.”

Tasha kept her eyes on me as she waited expectantly. She’d recently cut off her long black hair that had matched mine and Dru’s in length into a cute bob, and dyed it a bright red. It totally suited her.

“The party was great, fantastic even. I had a blast decorating, and the girls loved it. I took pictures to show you guys, and for the website,” I began, but Tasha waved her hand, encouraging me to get to the good stuff. “Jackson asked me out,” I said with a shrug, then teased her by saying, “But, I said no.”

“Wha?” Tasha cried, standing and putting her hands on her hips. “Why’d you do that? I thought he was your diary dream man. At least, that’s what Dru said.”

I raised my eyebrow at my twin, who just stuck out her tongue at me and continued stretching her quads.

“He’s also married, and still wears his wedding ring,” I replied, then sighed and added, “But, he assured me that the marriage is very much over, the ring was just an oversight, and we’re going to meet up for coffee this week. So, not a date, just coffee.”

“A coffee date,” Dru said with a grin.

“Shut up,” I replied, but couldn’t hold back my answering smile. “I don’t know, you guys, he scares me.”

“Why?” Tasha asked. “Because you’ve been so focused on the business, and before that, Mom, that you haven’t met a man for coffee, let alone had one between your legs, since you and Dru were at USC?”

“That’s not true,” I argued, offended and a little embarrassed about how right my younger sister was. “There was Joshua…”

“Ewww,” my sisters groaned in unison.

“You mean that creeper guy who kept taking you to Anime movies and trying to get you to give him a handy in the theater?” Dru asked. “You really want to count that guy?”

“No, I guess not,” I said with a frown, then threw myself back onto the grass and added, “Gosh, you guys, it has been a long time. A really, really long time. Maybe jumping back into things with a Mr. Adorable Dimples, who’s not only a single father, but hasn’t even divorced his wife yet, is not a good place to start. Maybe I need to wade into the shallow end first.”

“Fuck the shallow end,” Dru said, and I knew she dropped the F bomb to rankle me. She knew I hated it when she talked like that, which was exactly why she did it. “I say jump right into the deep end, clothes and all. It’s time you had a little fun, Mills, and you like this guy. Go for it.”

“Yeah,” Tasha agreed. “I’m with Dru. Enjoy your coffee, then take him back to your apartment and jump his bones.”

I laughed at Tasha, but before I could reply, our coach yelled out, “Are you ladies going to gab all day, or are you going to get out here and play some football?”

“Sorry, Coach,” we all called, then jogged out to meet up with our team.

I sat on the bench for the beginning of the first half, my eyes on the field as my mind wandered to thoughts of Jackson. Almost as if I’d conjured him, I heard my phone signal a text, then discreetly pulled it out of the bag at my feet, my stomach dropping when I saw it was him.

Hey, Millie, it’s Jackson. I was wondering if you’d rather meet during lunch, or after work, for coffee? I know you work early, but I wasn’t sure when you took breaks, if you even take them. I can break away during lunch, or meet you after school. Whatever works for you. Sorry, I’m rambling…

After school? I’m pretty flexible. I can work my schedule around whatever date/time you’d like to meet.

Yes, I’m a teacher, did I not tell you that? I teach English at the high school. After school would be best, that way we won’t be rushed. How does Wednesday at 3:30 sound?

Oh, that’s wonderful. What a fun job. Wed at 3:30 works for me. Where do you want to meet?

Well, I can pick you up, if you’d like, then we can go to Rooster’s, if that works?

Rooster’s was a coffee shop on Main Street, just a couple blocks from our business.

“Hey, Millie, are you going to pay attention to the team, or your phone?” my coach called out, causing me to flush and reply, “Sorry, Coach.” It seemed like that was all I could say today.

That sounds great. Have to go. Bye.

I looked up at our coach sheepishly, then turned the phone off and put it back in my bag. My head came up just in time to see Tasha dribbling down the field, then make a successful pass to Dru, who kicked it right into the goal.

“YEAH!” I yelled, jumping to my feet to cheer on my team.

“Millie, go in for Tampa,” Coach said, and all thoughts of Jackson and coffee left me as I jogged out onto the field to join my sisters.

We had a game to win.

Jackson

I was finishing up my lesson plans for when we moved on to Pride and Prejudice next week, but my eyes kept drifting up to the clock. Much like my students, I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring, signaling the end of the school day.

Normally, I stick around after school, grade some papers, straighten my room, and prepare for the next day, but today all I could think about was picking up Millie at three thirty.

I couldn’t remember the last time I was this excited about anything. Sure, it was only coffee, but it didn’t matter what we were doing, I couldn’t wait to see her again.

The bell rang and I jumped up from my chair, pushing through my students as I tried to beat them out the door.

“Where’s the fire, Mr. H?”

“Sorry … Sorry,” I muttered as I reached the hallway, then started speed walking toward the exit closest to the teacher’s parking lot.

“Jackson.”

I bit off the curse before it passed my lips, then turned to see who was currently stalling my swift exit.

“Oh, hey, Rebecca. What’s up?” I asked the history teacher, who was watching me nervously as she approached.

“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked, her voice timid, which was unusual.

“Actually, I’m on my way out,” I said hastily, looking at my watch to emphasize the fact that I was in a hurry. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” Rebecca replied, and I chose to ignore the disappointment on her face, because although we were always friendly with each other, whatever school-centric question she had couldn’t be more important than going on the first non-date I’d had in over ten years.

“Thanks, Rebecca,” I said, patting her arm distractedly before spinning on my heel and heading back for that door.

“Hey, Jacks,” I heard called, and this time didn’t hold my, “Son of a bitch” back, although I only whispered it under my breath.

I turned my head to see Ty jogging toward me.

“What’s up, man?” I asked, not stopping, but rather keeping my pace while he fell in step beside me.

“So, you ready for your big date?” my friend asked, making me immediately regret telling him and Rob that I was meeting Millie today.

“Yup,” I said as I pushed the door open.

“All right, brother, I just wanted to wish you luck, and tell you to be cool … Just be yourself.”

“Thanks, Ty,” I said, finally stopping when my feet hit the sidewalk. “I’m a little nervous, but more excited. Hopefully she’ll see I’m sincere about everything with Julie, and this will be the beginning of something great.”

“I hear that,” Ty said, running a hand over his short dark hair before adding, “You deserve that, Jackson, after the shit Julie shoveled at you. But, hey, can I ask you a favor, for all of us here at school?”

“Yeah, man, what’s that?” I asked, confused by his question.

“Can you let Rebecca down easy?”

“Rebecca?” I asked, looking over his shoulder to where Rebecca had just been standing.

“Yeah,” he began, then sighed. “She’s had a crush on you forever.”

“What? No, she hasn’t.”

“Yeah, man, she has. You’re the only one who hasn’t noticed.”

Shocked, I just looked at my friend, unable to respond.

“She’s just been biding her time, waiting for you to be ready after the fiasco with Julie, and today, it looked like she was about to make her move. I know you’re not interested, brother, I’m just asking that you go easy, yeah? You’ve got to see her every day. We all do.”

I nodded absently, still trying to wrap my head around what I was hearing. Rebecca had always been nice enough, and we often helped each other out after school, sometimes chaperoning events together, but I’d never thought of her as anything more than a friend.

My stomach clenched at the thought of that awkward conversation.

“Of course, Ty, you know I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“I know, Jacks, just wanted to give you a head’s up.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ve got your back, you know that,” Ty said with a grin, then clapped me on the back. “Have fun, and don’t be afraid to be aggressive.”

I chuckled at my friend, having no intention whatsoever in taking his advice, then finally made my way to the teacher’s parking lot. My watch told me I still had fifteen minutes to get to Three Sisters Catering, and although I’d wanted to be early, at least I’d still get there on time.

I’d pulled up in front of Millie’s storefront with two minutes to spare. When I stepped out of my truck I saw Jericho Smythe standing outside of Prime Beef messing with his menu board.

“Hey, Jericho!” I yelled out, lifting my hand in a wave to my buddy, who owned the steakhouse. We were part of the same Fantasy Football league, and often got together with a group of guys to watch games. Plus, he served the best steak in town.

“How’s it going?” Jericho asked in reply.

I shot him a thumbs up and a huge grin, then jogged around the truck so that I’d make it on time. I’d fill Jericho in later on why I didn’t have time to catch up, being on time to pick up Millie was more important.

The door jangled as I opened it. The tables and chairs were empty, since they weren’t currently serving, but it only took a moment before Millie stepped out from the back.

In a pale-blue dress with her hair hanging long and straight around her shoulders, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was momentarily stunned. Speechless.

I watched as Millie walked toward me, a small, uncertain smile playing on her lips, then I took a step toward her and reached out my hand. When she took it, I propelled myself closer and lowered my lips to her cheek, kissing her softly before saying, “You look gorgeous.”

Millie

I was overcome by nerves. All morning I couldn’t stop fretting over this coffee date with Jackson. I mean, what did I really know about the guy. Sure, I knew he was a good dad, his house was nice, and something about those glasses he wore made my body pulse, but I didn’t really know him.

Shoot, I hadn’t even known he was a teacher until he’d mentioned it in that text.

Although, out of all the professions out there, high school English teacher was better than assassin, or jewelry thief.

But, when I stepped out into the storefront and saw him standing there, not even trying to hide his pleasure at seeing me, I shoved my doubts to the side and decided to dive in.

It was just coffee, after all, it wasn’t as if I was his new mail-order bride. There was no commitment being made.

“Thank you,” I replied, when his compliment penetrated my thoughts. I’d probably tried on twenty different outfits before finally deciding on the blue dress. It was conservative, yet flirty. At least, that’s what I hoped.

“Are you ready?” he asked, pushing his glasses up his nose in what I was beginning to realize was a nervous gesture.

“Yes,” I replied, giving him a true smile. It was easier knowing that he was just as nervous as I was. “Let’s go.”

“It’s a beautiful day, shall we walk?” Jackson asked, mockingly holding out his arm in a gallant gesture.

I laughed at his silliness and tucked my arm in his.

“I’d love that.”

As we started on the short walk to the coffee house, I asked, “So, what made you get into high school English?”