As you know, Theo Cresswall of my absolute favourite rock band, the Glowing Devils, is calling Moonstruck Cove home again so he can live happily ever after with the gorgeous dance champion Gia Flores. (If you haven’t heard, then you’re living under a rock!)
So, what’s Theo been doing in a small town—apart from Gia? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Love you, Theo and Gia!)
Well, in the past three days, I’ve personally witnessed Theo disappearing inside a local chocolate-making business called Moonstruck Chocolatier and spending hours in there.
Hey, I’m not a stalker, just a big fan. Besides, he was always in disguise. And, being respectful of his privacy, I’m not going to reveal what he looks like incognito.
Now, some of you are bound to ask how I knew that was Theo if he was wearing a disguise.
Come on! This is me! I’m Theo’s number one fan, and I’ll recognise him anywhere!
Anyway, I did a little digging and discovered that Theo used to work for that shop before he left Moonstruck Cove all those years ago to find fame and fortune with his bandmates. And what do some locals say?
Drum roll, please…
He’s partnered with Moonstruck Chocolatier to produce chocolates from his own recipe! They’re going to call it Theo’s First.
Yessss!!! Take my money!!! Did I tell you I’m a chocoholic?
No news yet on when it’s coming out, but when I know, you’ll know.
And, hopefully, I can have a taste of Theo—I mean, Theo’s chocolate—while I’m here.
“Chelsea can’t be wrong,” the woman declares.
I can’t help my rueful sigh as I hand her phone back. I’m not comfortable lying so there’s probably no point in trying to deny it at this stage. “I guess if Chelsea Banton says it’s true, then it’s true.”
The man literally trembles. “Can I preorder the chocolates? I’d like a box. A large one.”
His wife elbows him. “A box? You have to watch your sugar levels!”
“I’m afraid Theo’s First is still in its infancy in terms of commercial development,” I say apologetically. “You might want to follow us on social media so you don’t miss our announcement when it’s ready. But it won’t be for a few more months at the very least.”
The man grabs his wife by the shoulders. “Darling, I’m already apologising for my future actions. I’ll be stalking Moonstruck Chocolatier online from now on.”
His wife rolls her eyes good-naturedly before giving me a resigned smile. “He’ll be losing sleep till then. Anyway, thanks a lot. We better head to our breakfast reservation now. He promised to eat something healthy this morning.”
I chuckle. “Enjoy your day.”
I give them a wave goodbye before walking inside The Only Bakery. My timing is perfect because Emory, the head baker and my best friend, is just coming out of the kitchen with a tray of freshly baked ham and cheese croissants.Yum!“Morning, girlfriend,” I greet.
“Morning, girlfriend.” Emory places the tray in its place under the glass counter. “What do you feel like today?”
“One of those, please. And I can’t believe you finished Mooner’s Cake. Did you even sleep?”
She shakes her head while bagging a croissant for me. “I’ll probably sleep all afternoon after I finish here. But this morning is my last chance to get Chelsea to pay attention to our bakery. I heard she’s leaving town before lunch since she’s given up on securing an interview with our most reclusive visitor from New York—who happens to be your number one enemy.” She wags her brows up and down.
My heart starts racing.
“It’s been a month since Brax arrived with Ollie,” Emory continues, “and the reporters and paps that made the trek here are all gone. Chelsea’s probably the last person he’s trying to avoid before venturing out of the lodge.”
“Who cares?” I say haughtily. That’s a pretty juvenile response from me when the man has been at pains to keep his and his son’s privacy while they’re here. But when it comes to Braxton Quinn, I find myself easily stirred up. “He’s just the most aggravating man I’ve ever met,” I hiss.
Emory tries to hide her smirk but fails. “And the most attractive, right?”
My brain presents me with the picture of a dark-haired, green-eyed, strong-jawed man with chiselled abs that had done something to my insides when I first laid eyes on him two years ago. I had come early to his mother’s birthday party to deliver some goods, and there was Brax out in the Quinns’ private garden within the lodge’s premises, shirtless in the heat while setting up the outdoor seating. My body had instantly responded, and I’d developed the worst crush on him…until we had that argument last year.
I shrug to make light of things. “You have to admit he’s pretty good-looking. That’s just a fact. It doesn’t make him a person I’d like to get to know better.”