No Matter What (The Billionaires of Sawgrass #4) - Delaney Cameron Page 0,78
Bridge of Lions. A candlelit dinner overlooking the Matanzas River had rounded out the day.
Just as enjoyable were the less formal (and many times spontaneous) things they did together such as meeting for a quick lunch at Reece’s favorite hot dog stand, sharing a bowl of popcorn while watching a movie at her place, or enjoying a sunset walk on the beach with Owen and Baxter. It didn’t really matter what they did. Robin just wanted to be with him. He’d become as essential to her as breathing, eating, and sleeping. And based on his words, actions, and the way he looked at her, she’d become the same to him.
Into these happy musings came the chime of the shop door. Robin rose to her feet, twitched her blue-striped apron into place, and went to see who it was. One of her longtime customers stood at the counter.
“Hey, Claire! I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Liam and I have been out of town this summer more than we’ve been in it. He calls it making up for lost time. Being a teacher, it’s hard for me to travel during the school year. Speaking of which, I’ll be back in the classroom in two weeks.”
“So will Owen. I signed him up for school yesterday. He’ll be going to Palm Valley Elementary.”
“That’s a great school. My nephew went to preschool there. He’ll be in kindergarten this year.” She smiled suddenly. “I thought I saw you and Owen at a baseball game the other night with one of my neighbors. Are you dating Reece Diamond?”
Robin nodded, the usual thrill that came with talking about Reece widening her smile. “Yes, I am.”
“I was hoping it was true. I’ve told Liam more than once that Reece needs to meet a nice girl. I never thought I’d actually know her.”
Robin couldn’t help laughing. “I never thought I’d actually be her.”
“That’s how it was with me. I couldn’t believe Liam was interested in me. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up living in Sawgrass, too. I did have another reason for coming here today. I need to order a baby shower cake for my friend Theo.”
“Oooh! That’s exciting! Let me get my tablet.” Robin retrieved it from the office. “What’s the date of the shower?”
“August 15th. They’ll be about thirty guests, and she’s having a girl. I’m going with a moon and stars theme to match what she’s using for her nursery. The party decorations are pink, white and gold.”
Robin thought for a few minutes. Then she started sketching on the tablet. “I could do a two-tiered pink cake decorated with gold stars. Sitting on top would be a half-moon wearing a nightcap. Cradled in the curve of the moon would be a baby with a pink bow in her hair. I can also add some fluffy white clouds.”
Claire put her hands together. “That sounds perfect! Theo will love it! Let’s go with that.”
“What flavor cake and icing do you want?”
“White velvet with your awesome buttercream frosting.”
“I’ll add you to the schedule. The cake will be ready for pickup any time after we open on the 15th.”
“Great!” Claire pointed to the display case. “I’ll take those last two slices of carrot cake off your hands. If Liam is lucky, I won’t eat his before he gets home tonight.”
Robin removed the cake from the case. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right?”
“As long as I remember to get rid of the box. That was my mistake before. Next time I see Reece, I’ll be sure to tell him how lucky he is.”
It would be more accurate to say that Robin was the lucky one. Reece had done more than fill a need or help her check off an item on her life-goals to-do list. He’d added color, detail and layers to her world. He’d broadened her horizons and challenged the way she thought about things, but never at the cost of making light of what was important to her. Most of all, he accepted her for who and what she was, and loved her in spite of her insecurities and stubbornness.
* * * * *
Reece finalized the arrangements for his weekend medical flight and prepared to leave. When he popped his head into Sylvie’s office, she was doing the same.
“Great minds think alike,” he teased.
She removed the pencil from behind her ear and dropped it in the pen holder. “We went straight from working late to leaving early. What does that say about us?”