she could make for special orders, too. She’d spent the afternoon listening to the mix CDs Zev had made for her their senior year of high school while mixing, baking, and painting molds, creating just the right elements for his surprise.
The kitchen counters were littered with chocolates in various stages of completion. She was making heart-shaped and coin-shaped chocolate truffles with a gold luster coating, chocolate-covered cake balls dipped in sprinkles, white- and milk-chocolate beads, which she was currently stringing together like necklaces, chocolate and candied jewel-shaped treats, and the element she was most proud of, a chocolate treasure chest complete with gold buckles and black straps.
Quinn had stopped in for a quick visit during her lunch break at the bank, and she’d been quizzing Carly about her night with Zev and taste-testing everything. With Quinn’s hourglass figure, Carly swore the calories went straight to her hips and boobs. She looked like a sexy librarian, sitting across from Carly in her pencil skirt and fancy blouse, her long legs crossed, one high heel bouncing up and down as she eyed the chocolates through her black-framed eyeglasses. She tucked her chestnut hair behind her ear and said, “I think you’re nuts. You should let Zev see your place. Any man who can make you forget what day it is deserves a standing ovation in my book.”
Quinn had been there when Zev had texted about their date tonight. They were meeting at four o’clock, but he wanted to pick her up at her place, and Carly still wasn’t quite ready for that.
Carly shook her head. “I can’t. Once he’s there, I can forget having a place where I won’t think of him. He’s got that much of a hold on my heart.”
“That’s all the more reason to let him in.” Quinn plucked another chocolate bead from the tray and ate it.
Carly pointed the needle she was using to thread the chocolate beads onto string and said, “Quinn Finney, if you eat one more bead, I’ll thread your fingers onto this string.”
Quinn’s shoulders sagged. “Fine. One day you’re going to hire me to work here full time and I’ll make them myself.”
“Eating the profits. I’ll keep that in mind,” Carly teased. “Speaking of working here, thank you again for taking next week off from the bank to work the festival. You were such a big help last year. We couldn’t do it without you.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll be here bright and early Sunday morning to help make all the goodies, and I promise not to eat too many.”
Carly smiled. “It’s okay, Quinn. I just want enough for Zev’s surprise.”
“I know. Like I said, someday you’ll realize I belong here full time.”
“You know I want to hire you full time one day. I just don’t have the need right now.” She heard the bells chime over the door and wondered if customers were coming or going. It had been a madhouse all morning.
Birdie hurried into the kitchen looking eighteen in her purple overall shorts with her hair piled on her head in a messy bun. “What is going on today? It’s like Grand Central out there. I swear festivalgoers must be arriving a week early.” She tapped on the counter and said, “What did I miss?”
“I was just telling Carly she needed to hire me full time.” Quinn pointed to a chocolate truffle and looked inquisitively at Carly, who nodded. “Thank you!” She popped the truffle into her mouth and said, “And one day one of Birdie’s fine-ass brothers is going to sweep me off my feet and marry me.”
Birdie laughed. “I’m sure any one of them would be happy to sweep you into their beds. But I don’t want to think about that. Ew. I can’t unsee that image.” She closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples. “Quinn and Cutter, Quinn and Cutter, Quinn and Cutter.” Her eyes flew open. “That’s better! Let’s talk about what Carly’s orgasm master has done to her. Look at all this magnificent stuff!”
“Magnificent and delicious,” Quinn said, eyeing the beads. “You really need to make those beads for the shop. I’d eat them by the bag.”
“You can have two more,” Carly said, earning a cheer from Quinn. She pushed another bead onto the needle. “But I need the rest for Zev. I cannot wait to surprise him.”
“Surprise him by letting him in your bed,” Quinn said with a waggle of her finely manicured brows.
Birdie shot a knowing look at Carly. She and Carly had