Page 4 of Sweet Summertide (Christmas Cove #4)

Sitting in Millie’s passenger seat, Holly fluffed the chiffon layers of her skirt.

After the train ride, she needed a shower and a new outfit.

She had changed out of her blue, floral, day dress and slipped into a shorter, pink frock for the evening.

Opening the visor mirror, she checked her lipstick and straightened the bow at the crown of her head.

“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” she asked her friend.

“Holly …” Millie pulled the car around the Foundry’s circular drive and parked in front of the large barn doors before answering. She took Holly by her shoulders. “You are spectacular, as always. Plus, you have nothing to worry about. This is just the Foundry, not the Ritz.”

“It’s not the location I’m worried about.”

“Whoever this Teddy is, I’m sure he’s wonderful. Alfonso mentioned he was picking up a guest chef from Elizabethtown today. If Alfonso likes him, I’m certain he’s a good man.”

“That’s also not what I’m worried about,” Holly said and, in her mind, played back her interaction with Teddy. He had seemed so into her, and even touched her hands most unexpectedly. “Just tell me one thing.”

“I heard someone bought that empty storefront across the street from you,” Millie said.

Holly shook the confusion from her thoughts. “What?”

“You told me to tell you one thing. That’s my one thing.”

“Do you think this is smart for me to jump into something right now? It’s only been a few months since I broke things off with Rinaldi,” Holly fluffed her lashes in the rearview mirror.

Millie caught Holly’s gaze. “I think you’re overthinking this. It’s just chocolate, which I’m thrilled to try. Look at it this way. You enjoyed your time with him, and you like him. Does it matter if you’re romantic or just friends?”

Holly had to admit that Millie wasn’t wrong. Everyone can always use another friend. Why not Teddy? “You’re right. That actually takes a lot of pressure off. Should I lose the bow?”

“Leave it. Your hair looks great pulled back like that.”

Holly got out of the car and walked towards the resort’s glass-front doors.

Candlelight spilled from inside and illuminated the gravel walkway with a warm glow.

As they approached the door, a sweetness floated out into the evening air.

She breathed in and savored the delicious scent as she entered the grand lobby.

Dozens of guests gathered in little groups around cocktail tables. High above her, an enormous crystal chandelier—with more bulbs than she could count—sprinkled dim light around the space. Holly took in the sights but only as a side effect of looking for Teddy.

“You good?” Millie asked. “I’m going to find Alfonso.”

“Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?” Holly bumped hips with Millie.

“I’ll let you know when or if there’s something to tell.” Millie winked and slinked away.

When Holly finally spotted Teddy laughing with a group on the far side of the room, she fought the urge to run. It would have been too late anyway, as his gaze fixed on her. He stilled. His eyes widened and his mouth parted as he took her in and nodded to his right.

They each walked towards a towering stone fireplace flanked by two-story windows, never taking their eyes off each other.

She was sure she held her breath the entire time, until they met in front of a velvet settee.

His mouth parted and his eyes smiled, the way she had witnessed earlier, like he was about to say something.

Silent pauses made her self-conscious. Before she could make a small-talk remark, he broke the tension.

“Wow. You look … wonderful,” he said, while amber specks flashed in his brown eyes.

A blush heated her cheeks, and she twirled around.

He might as well get a good look at the whole ensemble that she stressed over picking out.

“The event looks like a success. All these people.” Holly scanned the room, partly because his gaze was intense and partly to see if there was anyone present who she recognized.

He leaned in near the side of her face. “Don’t worry about running into anyone you might know here. Most of these people are guests of the Foundry, not locals.”

She turned towards the sound of his voice and found herself brushing noses with the man.

He smelled earthy and sweet and tangy all at the same time.

No doubt his aroma was laced with the various flavors and ingredients he had worked with to pull together for the chocolate festival.

She licked her lips at the thought and watched him mimic her movement.

Why was this man so enticing? It couldn’t only be the fact that he was basically dripping with cocoa. Except that he had been just as intriguing on the train ride and had no hint of confectionery on his person at the time.

Needing distance, she stepped back. Right over the back of her stiletto and fell down onto the sofa. She wanted to die, but Teddy plopped right beside her to cover for her. “Thank you.”

He grinned. “I have something for you. Wait here?” Teddy got right back up and disappeared for only a moment before returning. He carried with him a round wooden tray with a glass dome covering an arrangement of sweets. He placed the dish on the coffee table and removed the dome.

Unable to contain her excitement at the sight of so many pretty chocolates, she clapped, and a little squeal escaped her mouth. “You made all these? They look incredible.”

“This is what my father thinks I’m wasting my time with.” Teddy took one of the deep brown squares and held it up. Little gold flakes glittered in the candlelight. “May I?”

Holly closed her eyes and parted her mouth.

The cool chocolate brushed her lower lip, and she took the morsel with her tongue.

It took little time for the chocolate to begin to melt into a rich smooth texture and she opened her eyes.

He raised his brows in anticipation of her analysis.

All she could offer was a grin and nod of approval until she could swallow it down.

He took another, lighter-brown piece and handed it to her this time. “Bite into this one.”

She removed a thin paper wrapper from the bottom and sunk her teeth into the outer layer.

The thin outer shell cracked easily, and a mandarin liqueur spilled across her tongue.

The acid opened the pores in her mouth and the flavor seemed to multiply.

Overwhelmed and intoxicated, she nearly forgot she was surrounded by people.

Her unease must have been showing when she covered her mouth with her fingers until she was done enjoying the treat.

He didn’t seem to mind. If anything, her reaction seemed to thrill him.

Like a scientist making a discovery or a magician fooling a crowd, Teddy’s smile turned from a smirk to a wide grin.

He bit his lower lip the way people do when they try to disguise their true emotions.

“Good, huh?”

“Has your father actually tried any of your work? I mean …” she shook her head as the last flavor settled into her mouth.

“You really like it?”

“Teddy, I don’t know what kind of lawyer you were going to be, but I guarantee, you’ll never get a reaction like this from any judge or client.” Holly reached for another chocolate. “Which one next?”

Teddy pointed to a green one in the shape of a small daisy. “That’s a new one I’m trying out tonight. Let me know your honest opinion.”

She paused.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Nothing, just, no one ever asks for what I think. I’m told what to think or say.

Especially when I’m at a social event like this.

” Holly looked around the room and realized this was one of the first times she had attended a function, save for college parties, where her mother or father weren’t lurking nearby.

“I know what you mean,” Teddy said. “You don’t need to worry about censoring yourself around me. I have enough of that from everyone else in my life.”

She nodded. “I like that, Theodor Black. Same rule applies to you.” Holly placed the green chocolate on her tongue and waited for the flavors to warm and reveal themselves to her tastebuds.

“Mint? No. wait.” She let the entire thing melt and knew it wasn’t mint, but something akin to it.

“I give up. What is that stunning flavor?”

“Indian cardamom. It has hints of ginger and lemon.” He took one for himself. His eyes closed as he savored the flavor. “I just can’t decide if I love it or hate it.”

“Love it,” Holly said without hesitation.

Teddy stood and motioned with a head tilt for her to follow.

He could have offered her a hand, but moved away before she could ask.

She slap-dashed in her high heels to catch up with him, while he easily weaved his way through the thinning crowd.

He danced around a serving table and absconded with two champagne glasses out the main doors.

Another guest passing through the same door, held it open for her.

The warm night air kissed her skin, and a soft breeze played with the fluffy layers of her skirt as she pranced across the driveway.

Waiting for her, debonair in his black three-piece suit, Teddy leaned his back against a stone pillar.

The top buttons of his white shirt were left undone, and his smirk should have warned her to turn around before she made yet another poor relationship judgment.

He handed her a flute, clinked the rim of his glass on hers, and she knew it was too late. The bubbles fizzled and rose to the surface of the liquid like the butterflies in her stomach trying to escape.

“Walk with me?” Teddy asked, though they were already moving away from the party.