Chapter 33

thirty-three

ANDREW

The next day, I spent the morning in my studio, putting the finishing touches on my latest commission. I also managed to whip up some tasty Easter treats for my friends. By the afternoon, the aroma of freshly baked cupcakes filled the air.

“Something smells good,” Jacob said as he walked into the kitchen.

I glanced over my shoulder and smiled. “I’m making cupcakes for Easter. They’re filled with lemon curd and topped with a meringue chick.”

“Do you need a taste-tester?” he asked, dipping his finger into the almost-empty bowl of batter.

“You’re a brave man,” I teased, watching him savor the taste. “If you can wait another five minutes, I’ll give you one that’s completely finished.”

Jacob grinned. “In that case, I’ll make the coffee. Have you finished the photos you were editing?”

“Almost. I’ll send the images to the company that prints my canvases tonight. By next Thursday, I’ll have another happy customer.” I took the cooled cupcakes off the rack and picked up a piping bag. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you being here?”

“Only about a hundred times. But I got the better deal.”

“Because of my baking?” I asked, adding two black dots of royal icing for eyes on each of the meringue chicks.

“How did you guess?” he said, pouring the coffee.

“It wasn’t difficult. Whenever I’m in the kitchen, you suddenly appear beside me.” I carefully placed a meringue shaped chicken on top of the lemon curd-filled cupcakes. “What do you think?”

“I’m impressed. They’ll definitely make great gifts.”

“It’s nice to have something other than chocolate to eat at Easter.” I handed him a jar of lemon curd. “Can you place a spoonful of this on top of each cupcake?”

“Sure.” Jacob dipped a teaspoon into the thick, yellow mixture. “This much?”

“That’s perfect. Place a meringue on top and we’ll see what it looks like.”

When he’d finished, Jacob stood back and admired our creation. “Who would’ve thought something so simple could look so good. Who are you giving them to?”

I ticked my friends’ names off my fingers. “Paul and Liam, Jonathon and Shane, Elijah and the twins, and Dylan and Alex. Are you doing anything on Easter Sunday?”

“Not yet. Why?”

“Paul and Liam are having a special Easter lunch at their house. Everyone will be there. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Are you sure there’s room for another person?”

“Of course there is. You don’t need to bring anything—we’ve got everything organized.” My cell phone pinged. I read the text and groaned. “I forgot about a fundraising party at the local elementary school. I don’t suppose you want to go with me?”

“When is it?”

“Tonight. Elijah will be there with Molly and Eddie. So will Shane, Jonathon, and Liam. It’s fancy dress. If you don’t have anything you can wear, I’ll find you a costume.” To sweeten the offer, I added, “There’ll be a chocolate fountain.”

Jacob’s slow smile made my heart pound. Living with him was so much easier than I’d imagined.

“How can I say no to chocolate?”

“You’ll come?”

Jacob wrapped his arms around my waist. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“A room full of hyper-excited children isn’t most people’s idea of a great Friday night.”

He kissed the end of my nose. “You keep forgetting—I’m not most people.”

I sighed. “That’s one of the reasons I love you.”

“You do?”

I slowly nodded. “You make me feel alive, as if there’s nothing in the world I can’t do.”

Jacob leaned his forehead against mine. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me.”

“Do you want to know something else? I thought you must be special when I saw my photographs in the entranceway of your home.”

Jacob laughed. “We’re definitely meant to be together.”

I kissed him gently on the mouth. “I hope so,” I whispered. Because right now, I couldn’t imagine my life without him.