He snorted. “Come on. It’s not terrible. In fact, I think you might like it.”
When he reached onto the island for a luxe-looking envelope, she eyed him suspiciously. Maybe it was a voucher for a cooking class somewhere like in Bali? What would Kyle think would please her? She opened it and felt a huge smile break out across her face. “A car show?Like the one inFast and Furious 6? Oh my God, Kyle, this is awesome. I was afraid you’d give me a cooking class.”
“When you’re a Michelin-starred chef in my book? Not likely.”
Spike jumped on her calves again and tried to climb up her leg. “Michelin hasn’t awarded Nanine’s with a star yet.”
“They will.”
His usual positive demeanor had her heart lifting. Shewanted to believe that. God, she wanted it so much. “I have something for you too, like I said. Be right back.”
She raced out of the room with Spike hot on her heels. When he started to whine at the enormity of the stairs, she circled back and picked him up before he could start smelling the candle votives. So far Kyle was working on training the little guy so they wouldn’t have to dog-proof the house. Luckily, he’d kept him away from the fire responsibly.
“I know you think you have me wrapped around your finger,” she told the puppy as he rested happily against her chest, “but I’m only being decent. Those are a lot of stairs.”
Upstairs, she set him down in the shower and closed the door while she changed because she wasn’t dealing with any more weirdness like being naked with a pooch. Once she was done, she grabbed the gift she’d been hiding in her closet. Coming back downstairs, she noted Kyle held the leash. Clipping it onto Spike, he secured the leash around his wrist.
Her envelope was as luxurious as his had been, but that was all Brooke. Thank God her second Operation Kyle gift dovetailed as a Valentine’s gift.
He took it from her, beaming. “Mad… Thank you.” And when he leaned in to kiss her before even opening it, she got all mushy inside.
“You haven’t even opened it yet.”
“I don’t need to.” Another soft kiss had her heart melting like sugar in a sauté pan. “The fact that you thought of me is enough. I’m touched.”
Touched.God, love was weird. You didn’t have to touch someone to betouched. Sawyer probably knew why people said that. “Great. Now open it.”
She was getting nervous.
His baby blues stayed fixed on her as he slowly slit it open with his finger. Who knew opening an envelope could be naughty? Kyle, that was who. When he slowly drew the fancy paper out, her belly was tight with desire.
Unfolding it open, he quickly read it, shock rippling across his face. “You— A car experience? Oh, Mad, you’re the best!”
Then his arms were around her. Spike was barking like it was a full moon, and her insides were bubbling like she was filled with champagne. Pretty great.
She felt even greater when they turned the corner toward the bakery and found a line as long as a python outside of it. Okay, longer. She couldn’t see the end.
“That’s some line,” Kyle commented, grinning broadly. “God, I’m so happy for her.”
She knew that heady feeling of pride. The crazy happiness of a dream come true. She knew Thea would be doing cartwheels, and rightfully so.
“Me too. You work your whole life for a moment this special, and when it comes, it’s everything.”
Their gazes met. He smiled. She couldn’t help grinning back. When he took her hand and tugged her across the street toward the bakery, she curled her fingers around his.
When they reached the front window, Kyle managed to get the crowd to part so they could wave at their friend. Thea was helping someone with the brightest smile on her face. Ah, little sister.
Madison knocked on the window. Thea looked up and bounced in place, waving madly. Madison gave her a thumbs-up. Kyle blew her a kiss.
When they moved away, Kyle put his arm around her. “Thea’s halfway toward selling out. Did you notice her bread case and shelves?”
“I did, and they only just opened. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. There’s been a lot of buzz. Silver mentioned her breads and the bakery opening, and he said he’d be visiting it on his next trip to Paris.”
“Can’t beat that praise as you know.” Kyle tugged Spike back from sniffing at the garbage can before turning to her. “How about having breakfast out to celebrate?”
It wasn’t their usual, but she didn’t feel a knee-jerk reaction to say no. Kyle had made celebration part of her Spicy New Reality.
“I’d love that. Then I’ve got to get to work. I’m the one making sure lovebirds everywhere have a special day.”
