Part 27 (2/2)
Ella and Jake had been high school sweethearts, her first successful match, in fact. Ella hadn't said anything when they'd gone to lunch a couple of weeks back. Still, they'd been out of touch for the past five years and that probably wasn't information you blurted out the first time you saw an old friend, especially the old friend who got you together with your husband.
Cecily and Luke were in the warehouse now. She grinned at the sight of all the inventory building up. This weekend the town would experience a veritable avalanche of chocolate. Cecily s.h.i.+vered, as much from cold as excitement, and rubbed her arms. He took off his leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders-more perfect-man points for Luke Goodman-then led her to where several cartons stood stacked in a corner.
He opened one and took out a little pink box wrapped in gold ribbon and sealed with the gold medallion bearing the company logo, a slumbering quarter moon with long, girlie eyelashes and a smile. The box was what they called a four-seater, holding four different chocolates: salted caramel, a white-chocolate-lemon-cream truffle, a dark chocolate truffle with chocolate ganache filling and a mint chocolate-four of their most popular flavors.
He handed it over for her to inspect. ”Perfect,” she said.
”I guess you're going to have a crowd at your pageant,” he said, looking at the cartons.
”We're sold out,” she said proudly. Samantha had balked at the idea, and now Cecily took secret delight in proving that her big sister didn't know everything. Everyone she'd talked to was excited about the event. Actually, everyone was excited about the whole festival and she was really enjoying the antic.i.p.atory buzz that had taken over the town. Promoting chocolate was considerably more fun than finding matches for unappreciative customers.
”These should be a hit,” he predicted as she returned the box to the case. ”Let me know how they go over.”
”You're not going to come and see for yourself?” she asked. ”It should be quite a show.”
”Not interested. My mom's trying to convince me to go to the ball, though. Support the company.”
”You should, Prince Charming. You might find a princess there.”
He leaned against the wall and looked at her speculatively. ”Think so?”
Oh, dear. Now she'd just led him on. ”Well, you never know,” she said lightly. ”I might put on my matchmaker's hat one more time and see if I can find her for you.”
”Is that how it worked for Prince Charming?” he countered.
”Well, in a way, if you count the fairy G.o.dmother.”
He shook his head. ”She just provided the clothes and the ride. The magic was up to them. Kind of like real life.”
Cecily pointed an accusing finger at him. ”You're a romantic.”
He shrugged. ”Nothing wrong with that. I believe in magic.”
She'd believed she had, too, but the magic never lasted.
”Anyway, you never know what can happen at a ball. If you keep an open mind,” he added, giving her nose a playful tap.
”I'll remember,” she said.
As she left the warehouse for the office, she realized she was feeling all warm and happy inside, as if some of that magic they'd talked about had slipped into Luke's finger when he touched her. He is a nice man, she told herself. And what woman in her right mind didn't want a nice man?
Up in the office she found Jonathan Templar getting ready to leave.
”This man deserves a medal,” Elena said. ”He has saved us once again.”
Their hard-drive hero pushed his gla.s.ses up his nose. ”Slight exaggeration.”
”No, no. It is no exaggeration, believe me,” Elena said. ”You are the king of the computer.”
”That's me,” he said with a smile as he zipped his jacket.
”So why are you here, chica?” Elena asked Cecily.
”I have to do a little work on the Mr. Dreamy contest,” Cecily said.
That produced a frown on Jonathan's face. He hid it quickly but not quickly enough.
”I don't think Jonathan approves of our contest,” Cecily teased.
”Hey, if it's bringing in money,” he said diplomatically.
”But it's beneath you, right?”
”I'm not exactly Mr. Dreamy material,” he said.
”Oh, I don't know,” Elena said, looking him over. ”Lose the gla.s.ses, go to the gym a little. You have potential. Doesn't he?”
”Absolutely,” Cecily agreed.
Now Jonathan's face was turning red. ”Uh, I've gotta get going. You guys have a good day.” And with that he was out the door.
”Poor Jonathan,” Cecily said. ”We embarra.s.sed him.”
”He needs a better self-image,” Elena said. ”You should find someone for him.”
”I'm not doing that anymore,” Cecily told her. ”Anyway, there's only one woman he wants, and that's Lisa Castle.”
Elena gave a snort of disgust. ”That one. He'll never get her. Why do so many men want women who don't even see them?”
”Misplaced loyalty? Insanity? Who knows? It's another one of love's mysteries.” And why were so many women attracted to the wrong kind of man? If she could solve that mystery, her own love life would take off.
With a sigh, she sat down at the spare office desk and got to work finalizing details for the Mr. Dreamy contest. That done, she went on to check her email.
Before they'd left to pick up Bailey, she'd sent notices to all the Mr. Dreamy contestants, reminding them of the walk-through scheduled for that night at Festival Hall. Most of them had responded cheerfully.
Have the crown ready, Bill Will had written. And how about going kayaking with me when I win?
Good old Bill, the picture of confidence. But his compet.i.tion was going to be stiff. There were some great-looking guys entered.
A picture of Todd Black popped into her mind. With his swarthy pirate face he was probably a shoe-in. Talk about a hypocrite-entering the contest at the last minute after mocking her so thoroughly. The prize package had obviously been too sweet to resist.
And speak of the devil. Here was an email from the black pirate himself. I didn't enter this.
She typed back. Really? I have your picture and entry form right here at the office. You barely made the deadline.
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