Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
When they were seated, she looked over the table before saying, “I have some red wine somewhere. I don’t drink very much, but I meant to pull the bottle out in case you’d like some.”
“I’m happy with water, Avery. It was a good but busy day. Wine would make me fall asleep and I’d rather pay attention to you. Are you going to share your secret ingredient?” he asked.
“No! Then it wouldn’t be a secret. But it’s a good one. Try the sauce,” she asked, waving at his plate.
Trace followed her suggestion and dipped his fork into the thick tomato sauce. Scooping up a generous amount, he tasted it. “Mmm! That’s delicious.”
She beamed at him and bounced happily in her chair before realizing what she was doing and freezing immediately. Her expression stiffened as she put on her professional demeanor, masking her inner personality.
He covered her hand on the tabletop and squeezed it gently. When she looked up at him, he reminded her, “It’s just you and me here, Avery. Relax and be who you want to be.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m not good at my job because I’m…”
“Little?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered, looking down at the pile of spaghetti as if it had become something horrid.
“Avery. Look at me.”
When she tilted her head slightly to meet his gaze, he praised her, “I’ve read your file and talked to other detectives. You are capable, smart, and great in a tense situation. I’m not going to decide you’re incapable of handling yourself as a cop because you’re Little. I’m actually in awe of you.”
“Why?” she asked, her eyebrows drawing together in confusion.
“Because you haven’t completely shut down who you are inside to become what I’m guessing was always your dream. Did you grow up wanting to be a police officer?”
She nodded. “I got plastic handcuffs and a tin badge for my fifth birthday from my uncle. He was a patrolman.”
“Take a bite of your sketti. Then tell me about him,” Trace directed before swirling his fork in the pasta and taking a big bite. He watched her begin to cut the spaghetti on her plate into small pieces.
“This is the best spaghetti I’ve eaten. Fair warning, I’m going to wheedle that secret ingredient out of you before the night’s over,” he teased as he picked up her plate and placed it closer to him. Without allowing their conversation to pause, he cut her noodles for her and returned it.
“Thanks,” she said and happily took another bite.
“Of course. Daddy’s job.”
“Do you really think you’re my Daddy?” Avery asked, peeking up at him again.
He loved her shy side and found her Little simply enchanting. Trace knew more of her personality would emerge as she learned to trust him. “I don’t have a doubt. Do you like jigsaw puzzles?”
She frowned at the abrupt change of topics but nodded to answer.
“You know how it feels to work on a puzzle for a long time and finally you get to the last piece. When it snaps into place, you stare at the beautiful picture, right?”
“Yes,” she said with a shrug.
“That’s what I feel when I’m with you. Like I’ve just found the most important piece missing in my life and you snapped right into place. My world looks absolutely beautiful now,” he said, holding her gaze.
“Because of me?” she whispered.
“Completely because of you.”
“That’s pretty special.”
“That’s what I think, too.” Trace took a bite of spaghetti and waved his fork her way. Obediently, she ate more as well. He was glad to see the lines around her eyes and mouth relax as they talked. Trace was surprised by the need inside him to take care of her. His mind and heart had recognized she was important immediately. He’d always been a skeptic of people who fell head over heels in love so quickly. Now, he understood the rush of emotion so much better.
When he’d mopped up the last of the sauce on his plate with the final bread morsel, Trace popped it into his mouth with a groan. “You’re running with me tomorrow, right? Six-thirty again?”
“Sure… If you think you can move,” she teased.
Moving quickly, Trace scooped her out of her chair and onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned down to kiss her lightly. “I think I’ll be able to manage it if I’m not in a carb coma. Every bite was totally worth it.”
She giggled and leaned against his chest to rest her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you moved here.”
“Best damn decision I’ve ever made,” he proclaimed, squeezing her tight. “Now, it’s getting late and I think you’ve volunteered to work an extra shift tomorrow for Halloween, right?”
“Yes. I’m going to help at the local trunk or treat, getting all the volunteers parked and helping supervise.”
“What’s a trunk or treat?”