Page 2 of The Uncomplicated Café
When they’d finally savored the sweet potato pudding, the fruits of their labor always tasted better than any store-bought brand. CeCe suspected it had something to do with the time they’d spent together, laughing, talking, and making memories.
“Food is the universal love language,” her mother regularly reminded her. Not that all the five-star gastronomic masterpieces in the world could keep her globe-trotting father around. As an archeologist for hire, he preferred traveling the world excavating private dig sites in exotic and exciting locales to dinners at home with his wife and daughter. Tonight would be an exception, and he’d finally join them for a family meal.
“Now this,thisis heavenly,” Abby murmured, dragging CeCe’s thoughts from her father’s long-anticipated homecoming. “What is it?”
“It’s my own twist on a Toto.”
“Toto?” Abby cocked her head, trying to place the unfamiliar word.
“Caribbean coconut cake.”
“Yes! That’s what I’m tasting. Toasted coconut. And—?”
“A zesty lime glaze to complement the sweetness.”
“Okay, this is it. This is the one I want. I don’t even need to try the other flavors. It’ll match our beach wedding vibe, and Logan and Max will love it. Max devours anything with coconut.”
“Perfect.” CeCe adored the way Abby lit up with a special motherly glow whenever she spoke about her foster son, Max. Her voice grew louder and more animated, too, as if she couldn’t contain her happiness. “I’ll box up the rest of the coconut cake, along with the other two samples, for you and Logan to enjoy later.” She grabbed a pastry box from underneath the counter. “When does Max get back from summer camp?”
“In a few days. I can’t wait. I’ve missed him like crazy. Although, between Max being gone and Logan and I deciding not to book any more guests at the inn until after the wedding, I’ve been able to knock out the to-do list pretty quickly. I’m heading over to see Bonnie at Sweet Blessings next, to finalize the favors. We’re bundling an assortment of saltwater taffy into cute little gift bags.”
“Feel free to put a few extra in mine,” CeCe teased.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Abby grinned as she slid off the stool.
CeCe arranged the sample cakes inside the box, then had an idea. Lifting the white chocolate amaretto flavor, she nodded toward Mystery Man. “Mind if I—?”
Abby followed her gaze, her eyes glinting with understanding. “Of course! That’s a lovely idea. It’s not like I need the extra calories two weeks before my wedding anyway,” she said with a laugh.
CeCe set the cake off to the side, hoping she could convince the man to accept the gesture under the guise that it would go to waste otherwise.
Abby turned to go, the pastry box tucked under one arm, then hesitated briefly before asking, “Speaking of the wedding, have you decided if you’re bringing a plus-one?”
CeCe grimaced. “No, I haven’t. I’m sorry. But I promise to let you know soon. By tomorrow,” she rushed to add, feeling guilty even though Abby assured her it wasn’t a big deal.
As CeCe watched Abby step back into the bright summer sunshine, she resolved to make a decision once and for all. Go solo or succumb to another friend’s persistent setup attempt? According to Sage Harper, her boyfriend’s old college roommate was a total catch, despite his East Coast zip code. Never mind the fact that CeCe needed a long-distance relationship about as badly as food poisoning.
The only person she actuallywantedto invite to Abby’s wedding was currently halfway across the world in the arms of another woman, which she should count as lucky. In the realm of bad decisions, dating her childhood best friend ranked higher than eating a batch of questionable shrimp, no matter how tantalizing.
Chapter Two
JAYCE
Jayce Huntgently cupped the side of his co-star’s face with his palm, gathering a bolstering breath.Okay, let’s get this over with.
Stacey Sawyer gazed up at him with her enormous brown eyes as the warm Bali breeze tossed her long shimmering blond hair around her bare shoulders. She looked every inch the A-list star in her ethereal white gauzy dress. No wonder the camera loved her.
She tilted her chin, simultaneously parting her lips and fluttering her eyelids closed. The woman could fake eternal love better than anyone in the business. He should take notes.
Sliding an arm around her waist, he drew her closer, just like they’d practiced a thousand times before, and shut his eyes. Her tanned skin smelled like fresh coconut.Perfect. The familiar scent would make it easier to imagine the woman he actuallywantedto be holding on the beautiful white sand beach as the sun glittered across the water behind them.
Picturing his secret dream girl, he lowered his lips toward Stacey’s, pausing the second he felt her gentle breath. He tilted his head, expertly angling his jawline to give the camera theappearance of a deep, undying kiss, without actually making contact.
They held the pose until the director shouted, “Cut! That’s a wrap!” and then immediately snapped out of character.
“You had a poppy seed muffin right before filming, didn’t you?” The twinkle in Stacey’s eyes belied her accusatory tone.
“Smells better than fish taco breath, right? I’m making progress,” he teased. “I don’t have any seeds in my teeth, do I?”
