Page 32 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“Annie? Fisher?” One of the bridesmaids ducked her head through the balcony doors. “Come on. They’re about to cut the cake.”

“Your shining moment,” he said.

“I have to admit this cake is one of my best,” she said. Five tiers of smooth, ivory butter-cream frosting decorated from top to bottom with a waterfall of white peonies and purple roses. It was by far one of Annie’s most inspired creations. She’d spent an hour photographing it that afternoon for her album at the shop. “It’s going to be painful to watch them cut it up.”

“Yes, but they probably need you for the singing,” he said. “A bridesmaid’s work is never done.”

“Don’t I know it,” she agreed. “I don’t know why they just don’t give bridesmaids pom-poms. I mean we’re really just cheerleaders in fancy dresses.”

“Purple pom-poms?” He laughed. “It couldn’t be any worse than that parasol she had you carrying as you walked into the reception.”

“I know, a parasol at an evening wedding. What was she thinking?” Annie shook her head. “Too bad I didn’t have it with me when Stewart was here. I could have hit him over the head with it.”

“That’s one option,” he agreed as he led her back into the banquet hall.

“Oh, you are bad,” she said, trying to ignore the feel of his fingers around her elbow.

“Good bad or bad bad?” he asked. Annie glanced at his face and the intensity in his regard left her no doubt that he was referring to their kiss. She felt her insides clench in response. Oh dear!

They entered the reception hall to hear the wedding guests cheering as Eve cut a slice of cake and fed it to Tony.

Tony took the cake from Eve’s fingers, licking the frosting from her fingertips as he went. One glance at Eve’s mother, and Annie could see the lines of disapproval etched in her face.

“Wow! Do all couples feed each other like that?” Fisher asked, a surprised look on his face.

Annie watched as Eve ate the cake from Tony’s fingers. These two were positively hungry for one another. A surge of heat warmed Annie from the inside out. She felt like a voyeur watching the obvious passion between Tony and Eve. Was it like that between herself and Fisher?

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He clapped with the rest of the crowd when the bride and groom kissed. She studied his profile. His brown hair hung over his forehead, defying any attempt at order. His prominent nose looked as if it had been broken once or twice, and his lips were wide and full, as if they were made for kissing.

Annie felt a trickle of perspiration run down her back and she jerked her gaze away. She would not fall for her tenant. She would not fall for her tenant. She would not...

“What are you thinking?” he whispered in her ear.

Stepping away from him, she said, “Nothing.”

He smiled and his teeth were a slash of white against those lips. “Liar,” he accused.

Annie met his dark brown gaze and felt suddenly legless. His glance held humor with a glint of understanding. As if he knew very well what she’d been thinking and that she was fighting to deny it.

“Will all of the single ladies in the crowd please come to the center of the dance floor?” The DJ’s voice boomed through the hall and a squeal went up among several of the women. “That’s right. It’s time for the bride to toss the bouquet.”

“Well, that’s my cue to go hide in the ladies’ room,” Annie said and stepped away from Fisher with a grimace.

“Coward,” he teased.

“You betcha,” she said.

”Annie, there you are,” Eve cried as she rushed through the crush of guests to grab her arm.

“Help me,” Annie whispered to Fisher through clenched teeth.

“Oh, you don’t need me,” he said and nudged her forward. “I’m sure you’ll be able to catch that bouquet all by yourself.”

“Rat fink,” she hissed as Eve dragged her toward the dance floor.

He winked at her and Annie felt herself go weak in the knees.

---