Page 7 of Because You Loved Me

“I guess if they serve cake like this, they can’t be so bad. But I still think it will take more than even the most delicious cake I’ve ever tasted to convince me that weddings aren’t more for the family than the couple.”

Asher considered that while she watched him take a bite of the cake for himself. “I don’t disagree,” he said after a moment. “But the cake…”

“Are you going to share any more of that?” She reached for the plate, but he deftly moved it out of reach.

“I can’t have you ruining your beautiful gown,” he teased as he offered her another forkful.

“I can feed myself.” She put one hand on her hip and shot him a look, but he only winked in return.

“I have no doubt.”

Noa eyed the forkful of heaven. It was probably ridiculous and completely out of line to let a strange man she’d only just met feed her dessert that made her groan, especially if she couldn’t be sure whether it was the chocolate or the man giving her those feels.

There were a million reasons she shouldn’t accept another bite, but the heavenly aroma won out and she once more closed her eyes and put her lips around the forkful of chocolatey bliss.

“It’s seriously good,” she said once she recovered. “But I should probably?—”

“Not yet.” He set the plate down and grabbed her hand. “I haven’t even shown you the best part yet.”

Noa stared at his large hand wrapped around hers and back up to his gorgeous blue eyes. For the first time in years, she forgot about what sheshoulddo and let herself do what shewantedto do. “Okay.”

His eyes sparkled when he grinned. She couldn’t look away.

“You two are very cute together.”

Noa looked to Gwen, who was waving her icing bag between them.

“I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

Instead of protesting, Asher laughed. He didn’t let go of her hand.

“Oh,” Noa said. “We’re not…I’m actually just here for the wedding.” She gestured to the toilet paper gown she was still wearing. A flash of guilt shot through her as she thought of her cousin, who was probably going crazy looking for her.

“Oh.” The baker straightened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t?—”

“It’s fine, Gwen.” Asher jumped in. “I rescued Noa here from a crazy bridal party game and it’s been my quest ever since to convince her that despite all the pomp and circumstance, there are some definite highlights when it comes to weddings.”

“The cake is a definite highlight.” Possibly the only one.

“Now for the best part.” Asher winked and reached for an abandoned icing bag on the prep table. “May I?” he asked Gwen, who shrugged and waved him off.

“Just get out of here already, before I end up making another cake after all.”

Asher winked and gently tugged on Noa’s hand to lead her away.

“Thank you, Gwen,” she called out behind her. “The cake is amazing.”

Asher took her once more through the main kitchen until they were again at the back door that they’d escaped into earlier.

“Thank you for rescuing me.” Noa stood in front of him. “Obviously you work here,” she continued. “But how is it that you can convince the pastry chef to give you cake like that?”

“I can be very charming.” He winked and squeezed her hand, that he still hadn’t released.

The distance between them closed.

“You really are quite charming.”

She was so drawn to him. A perfect stranger, yet somehow he felt familiar, too.

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