he dipped the last marshmallow in chocolate and then rolled it in coconut shavings. “Do you ever get tired of the demand?”
She added chocolate shavings to the top of the trifle and said, “I’m sure we all have days when we don’t feel like working, but it passes.” Her eyes moved over the plethora of treats they’d made together. “Wow, we got a lot done, didn’t we? You were a huge help. Thank you. I know my customers will love the Treasure Hunter Fudge.”
“How about the treasure hunter?” he asked as he took off his gloves and wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m pretty sure he could charm the panties off a nun.”
He kissed her, chuckling. “How about off a chocolatier?”
“I can say with good authority that he’s an expert at that.”
“And I can say with good authority that he has no interest in charming the panties off anyone else.” He kissed her again and said, “Are we done with the dipping chocolate?”
He’d been asking for tastes of everything, like a kid in a candy store. “Yes. You can stick your finger in the bowl now.”
“How did you know I wanted to do that?” he asked as he scooped chocolate onto his finger.
She leaned over and sucked it off. “Because I know you, and I was waiting to do that.”
“And I’ve been waiting to do this.” He swept her into his arms, taking her in a tantalizingly slow kiss, as if he were savoring every second.
“Again,” she whispered, and he rewarded her with another spine-tingling kiss.
“I thought I saw—”
Their lips parted at the sound of Birdie’s voice. She stood at the entrance to the kitchen wearing a glittery gold tank minidress with black Converse sneakers, hands on her hips and a cheesy grin on her pretty face.
“Don’t let me interrupt. I get as much out of watching you kiss as you get out of doing it.” Birdie motioned with her hand and said, “Carry on.”
Zev lowered his mouth to Carly’s, but she laughed and pushed him away. “We are not giving her a show.”
“Aw, come on,” Zev teased. “She got all dressed up and everything.”
Birdie twirled around and said, “Karma just got in a truckload of new dresses, and she let me rifle through it. I bought three outfits. Isn’t this one awesome?”
“Gorgeous,” Zev said.
Birdie curtsied. “Thank you. I need a favor from you, Zev. I have something in my trunk that’s really heavy and needs to go in the dumpster. Would you mind carrying it for me?”
“Sure.” Zev gave Carly a quick peck on the cheek. “Be right back.”
Birdie dropped the keys in his hand and he left the kitchen.
“What’s in your trunk?” Carly asked.
“Junk. Heavy junk. Trust me, I need his muscles.” She flapped her arms and said, “Look at these spaghetti arms.” As soon as the bells above the front door signaled Zev had left the shop, she said, “Tell me everything before he gets back! You guys were so hot together last night. Everyone loves him! I wish Sasha and Doc could have met him. But they will one day. So…? What’s the deal with you two? You look so happy, you’re glowing. Is he staying longer? Are you going with him if he leaves?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far. We’re just enjoying each other while he’s here.” Carly was trying to play it cool, even though she was nervous about how they could ever blend their lives together, but at the same time, she wanted to jump out of her skin and sing his praises.
“Please tell me that by enjoying you mean doing the dirty, riding the hog, slipping along that heavenly highway.”
Carly laughed. “Birdie!”
“I’m just hoping someone’s getting it, because I’m sure not. So…?”
“Yes, we’re enjoying each other a lot, like all the time. I can’t keep my hands off him,” she said with a giggle. “I’m a total nympho, like we’re eighteen again. It’s insane.”
“I knew it! It’s not insane. It’s meant to be. He looks like the kind of guy who knows his way around a bedroom.”
“And a bathtub, a shower, the porch…” She lowered her voice and whispered, “The kitchen table.”
Birdie squealed and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you!” She walked around the kitchen looking at the treats and talking a mile a minute. “I knew you two were in love! The way he looks at you is just so…I want that one day. You’re a whole different person with him. You light up when you see him, and