Page 32 of How Sweet It Is (Willow Shade Island #3)

I squeeze the piping tube, adding the last row of flowers to Kiki’s wedding cake.

This week has been a whirlwind of baking, cleaning up after baking, and spending time with my favorite accountant.

Claire and I have been getting along really well, and we’ve become quite close.

It’s honestly been the best week of my life as long as I don’t think about what happens after she leaves.

Claire comes in the back of the bakery wearing her usual business attire. “Good morning.” She eyes the almost-finished wedding cake. “How long have you been up?”

“Since four,” I say as I squeeze the frosting out. “I couldn’t sleep in, even though I tried. I guess I’m just on a baker’s schedule now.”

She walks over to the counter and picks up the clear box holding the little wedding couple for the top. “You’ve done a fantastic job. Kiki’s going to be thrilled.”

“Thanks,” I say, pleased at the compliment. I gingerly pick up the cake and walk over to the cake box before sliding it in.

“What’s that?” Claire asks.

“It’s called a cake safe. It keeps the cake stable while I’m driving.” I enclose the cake inside the box then slide in the stabilizing bar. Claire gasps when I stab it through the entire three layers of cake.

“That won’t ruin it?”

I laugh. “Don’t worry. The bar will slide right out the top, barely leaving a mark.” I point at the wedding couple she has in her hands. “That’s going to cover up the hole.”

She walks around the clear box, looking at the cake inside. “Genius.”

“Will you help me take it out to the truck?” I purchased a refrigerated delivery truck for the business, even though Claire told me she’d be fine just using her car for deliveries. I figured I would need a truck eventually.

“Sure. What can I do?”

“Open the doors for me.” I grab the cake box and lift it.

“Will do.” She runs to the back door and opens it wide for me. Then she takes care of the truck doors. I climb in and place the cake on one of the shelves, securing it for transport.

“You’re delivering the cake this early? Won’t the buttercream frosting melt?”

“I’ll put it in the refrigerator at the church until it’s time for the reception.”

She nods. “I see.”

I rub my hands together, excited that the cake is done and it’s turned out exactly how Kiki wanted it. I hop down from the truck and turn to Claire. “Are you ready to get dressed for the wedding?”

She pokes me in the side. “You just want to see my dress.”

I step closer to her. “Can you blame me? You’ve been teasing me about it all week.”

“You’ll just have to wait until three o’clock.” She rises up on her tiptoes and gives me a quick peck.

I catch her around the waist before she can pull away, anchoring her against me. “That was not nearly enough for the week of anticipation you’ve put me through.”

She laughs, but it hitches slightly in her throat when I lower my head closer. “Is that so?”

“Oh, it is.” I brush my nose against hers. “You don’t get to parade around all week in your librarian outfits telling me to wait until the wedding and then kiss me like we’re just friends.”

Her lips curl into a playful smile. “I thought we were pretending this wasn’t a relationship.”

“We were.” I press my forehead to hers. “But that ship sailed somewhere between pottery and peanut shells.”

She leans into me, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt. “Then I guess I owe you a proper kiss.”

Before I can reply, she kisses me again, slow and sure this time, like she’s not rushing off anywhere.

Like maybe she’s not planning to leave me after all.

Her hands move to the back of my neck, and I slide mine around her waist, lifting her slightly until her toes leave the ground for half a second.

Her breath catches against my lips, and I swear I feel it down to my bones.

I set her down gently but don’t let go. “Claire,” I murmur, searching her eyes. “You’re messing with my head.”

Her thumb brushes my jaw. “You’re messing with mine.”

My hand slides against her lower back. She shivers but doesn’t stop me. “I keep trying to hold back,” I whisper, “but then you look at me like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like maybe you want to stay.”

Her smile fades into something more vulnerable. “Levi…”

“I know.” I press another kiss to her forehead, trying to cool the fire I started. “I’m not asking for promises. Just… let me have today.”

Her voice is barely a whisper. “You already have it.”

And then she kisses me again, slower this time.

Deeper. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and my hands roam more boldly now, memorizing the curve of her waist, the feel of her pressed against me.

The cool breeze is forgotten, the morning checklist is forgotten.

There’s only the feel of her and the way kissing her makes everything else disappear.

When we finally part, her cheeks are flushed, her lips parted, and I’m completely undone.

“I should go get dressed,” she says, breathless.

“Yeah.” I exhale hard, trying to regain my balance. “Before I completely forget how to behave like a gentleman.”

She flashes me a wicked smile as she turns to walk away. “Too late.”

And for the first time since she told me she’ll eventually leave, I let myself hope. Maybe she’ll come back to me after the trial.

“See you at the wedding,” she says.

“I’ll come pick you up,” I call to her.

She turns and lifts an eyebrow. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your motorcycle, I can’t show up at a wedding with helmet hair.”

I grin like I can’t keep a secret. “Did I forget to tell you? I ordered a car, and it’s being delivered as we speak.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Are you ready to be picked up in style?”

She gives me a flat look. “What did you do?”

I laugh. “You’ll see.”