Page 33 of His to Cherish
His hand pressed into my back as he pushed me forward, gently but with purpose.
“I didn’t know what you liked.”
It was the same thing he’d told me when he’d ordered more pizza than I could eat in a month.
“All of it,” I said. Eyes wide with delight over the delicious items in front of me, I turned my head to the side so he could catch the pleasure in my smile and my eyes at what I was about to feast on.
Because I was definitely going to feast. I planned on eating all of it until I fell into a carb coma that lasted until I had to get to school tomorrow.
I might even have to call in sick. It most likely wouldn’t be a lie, either. Based on the amount of sugar I was going to be inhaling, I would probably end up puking by lunchtime.
I didn’t even care.
Without questioning what the gesture meant or why Aidan was here, offering my version of a sugar heaven, I scampered across the lawn and took a seat in my favorite chair.
Aidan was only a few steps behind me, a cautious look on his face as he pulled out the chair across from me, the one he usually sat in.
My mouth was already stuffed with a chocolate cupcake, buttercream frosting all over my fingertips as I peeled back the wrapper.
I tried to ignore the way my stomach fluttered as his eyes stayed glued to mine.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Forgiven,” I mumbled, my mouth full. I didn’t mean it, not really. He had really hurt me. The sugar was already clouding my judgment.
So good. Kate’s Kakes could win national awards for its amazing creations.
As I swallowed my first, much too large bite, he reached out to grab a cupcake.
Without thinking, I smacked his hand and pointed. “Not that one.”
The move shocked me, and I opened my mouth to apologize. Good grief. What had gotten into me?
Aidan simply moved his hand and pointed to another plate.Plate—because my table was covered with amazing baked goods and I couldn’t believe I’d just hit him over trying to eat one of the cupcakes he bought for me.
“I see.” His eyes roamed the table. They were narrowed with a slight pinch of humor. “Anything you’re willing to share?”
I almost told him no. Whatever I couldn’t consume, I could freeze for later.
I mirrored his motion and scanned the table. “Those.” I pointed to a small selection of pink cupcakes. “I’m not a fan of strawberries.”
He wrinkled his nose as if hereallywasn’t a fan of strawberries.
His eyes met mine and I shrugged right before I inhaled the rest of my first cupcake in the second bite. “That or nothing.”
With pursed lips, he nodded and grabbed one, cautiously pulling off the wrapper. He stared at the pink creation as if Kate might have slid sardines or something equally disgusting inside of it.
I almost felt bad.
Then I remembered the way it felt when he hadn’t come to the door on Friday. He totally shut me out. My heart clenched at the memory.
If he wanted to stay, he could eat pink cupcakes.
Without taking a bite, he set it down on an empty small plate in front of him and helped himself to a glass of orange juice. He lifted his eyebrow in question as he reached for the carafe, and I narrowed my eyes and nodded, giving him permission.
“Thanks.” There was humor in his tone that I wanted to enjoy, but I didn’t.
“Why are you here?”
