Anyone else a hot mess today? There's Hope!
Mar 27, 2023 11:01 am
Good morning! Thank you for sharing part of your day with me. I shared some personal stuff about myself in last Monday's email and was taken by surprise by all the supportive emails I received from readers. Thank you! I can't tell you how much it means that you're so kind and willing to share that kindness. 🥰🥰🥰
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INSTALOVE SPOTLIGHT'S ON...
Dessert First! rom-com, instant attraction, wedding season romance - includes a too steamy for my category wedding day bonus epilogue link at the end of the story.
Why I wrote it: I often write side characters that proceed to gain a life of their own. They hang out in my subconscious and feed bits and pieces of their life to me when my mind wanders. Sometimes the process of sussing out a character takes days. Other times, months. That's what happened with Dessert First. The main female character was supposed to be someone entirely different, but then my writer's brain stepped on the break and said, "Whoa, Hope isn't ready yet."
Hope was the down-on-her-luck character in Back Stage Pass that I couldn't stop thinking about. She was an aspiring baker building her business from the ground up. Her business was starting to take off, but I left her hanging. I wanted to know what happened to her.
Dessert First gives Hope's background some context. In the process of learning about her, we meet her brother, Zane, and the woman who'll change Hope and Zane's lives forever.
Sage is a hot mess like Hope. She's frazzled, smart, and prone to accidents. She's scrambling to get her catering business going while avoiding the pitfalls of a faulty man radar. She's not looking for a savior, but a muscle-bound teddy bear for a backup plan isn't a bad idea.
Scroll to read the first two chapters. Hit the button above to read more.
Dessert First contains copyright material.
Chapter 1
Sage
"Thanks, officer. I appreciate all your help."
"My pleasure, ma'am. Be sure you replace that tire when you get to the next town. It's not meant for highway driving or long-term wear." He tips his hat and closes the driver's side door. He taps the window before turning back to his cruiser. "Lock up."
I nod and mouth "thank you" as I hit the lock button. Thank goodness he came along when he did. Just my luck, a flat tire, and no cell service. At least the run-flat tire was still tucked away in the back. Of course, we had to unload box after box of baked goods to get to it. I’m one package short of goodies, but the officer’s help was well worth it.
I turn on my blinker to steer back onto the road. The officer’s blue and red lights swirl in the rearview. I watch him pull out and do a U-turn, then disappear into the dark night.
Next stop, my first bridal expo. I glance at the dashboard’s digital clock.
Crap.
A late start this afternoon already had me running an hour behind time. The flat tire, my lack of knowledge of how to change one, and no cell service added another two hours to my tardiness.
Deep breath and release.
At least I'm not stranded with a creepy serial killer stopping to offer me a hand. My body shivers thinking of all the dangerous things that could happen on a dark, empty road. I've always been a worrier. Raised that way, I guess. If there’s something to worry about, my radar will find it. Not that it keeps me out of trouble. I’m a magnet for anything that can go wrong.
“Not today,” I say aloud, determined nothing else could possibly go awry. Though, I’m not as confident as I’d like.
Ding, ding, ding. A red light in the shape of a gas tank lights up on the dash.
“Seriously?”
I bang my hand on the steering wheel in disbelief. I hit the button on the end of the turn signal lever and scroll through until the display lights up with the number of miles before empty. Forty-two miles. I breathe a sigh of relief. It'll be close, but I can make it.
A flood of relief washes over me when the hotel finally comes within view. The parking lot is full, but the loading zone by the event center is empty. I pull into the spot, throw the SUV in park, and grab my show reservation information. It's been a long day. I'm not looking forward to the next few hours of setup time, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.
I hop out of the vehicle and push the lock button. The last thing I need is some petty criminal to break in and steal my goodies while I’m inside checking in.
Worry much?
Chapter 2
Zane
The moment she walks through the doorway, I'm instantly captivated. She flings the door open and hurries in with a messy ponytail and a dark smudge of car grease on her chin. Her eyes widen as she takes in the room full of bridal paraphernalia. The room is a sea of white with a strong aroma of peonies, roses, and bridal cake. It's a bit overwhelming and enough to make anyone take a second glance.
“Can I help you, Miss?" Carl operates the check-in station. He motions the woman toward the table, then takes a sip of his darker-than-dark coffee.
Most of the vendors set up and left for the evening hours ago. There’s not much time for anyone to set up this late. Carl’s shutting the room down in forty-five minutes.
The woman looks tired and out of sorts. Her eyes dart between mine and Carl as she approaches.
"Sorry I'm so late." Her chocolate brown eyes peek out from under long feathery eyelashes. Her perfect cupid's bow lips move quickly as she runs through an explanation. “It’s been a long day. Late start. Flat tire in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. Luckily, a kind police officer stopped to help.”
She glances over at me, barely taking a breath, causing me to grin.
“I made the last twenty miles rolling in on nothing but fumes. Is there a place nearby to get gas? A new tire? Something to eat?”
She laughs nervously, but the fatigue in her voice and body reveals the stress she’s under. Carl eyes her like he’s been caught in a windstorm. She takes a deep breath and waits. She opens her eyes wide, staring at Carl, and then darts them in a sidelong glance at me while pinching her lips together in a flat line.
“Uh, do you have a reservation, Miss?” Carl slowly places his coffee cup on the table and leans forward in his chair.
"Oh, yes. Yes, I do." Her head bobs up and down as she smiles brightly.
Carl eyes her expectantly, but she says nothing more. It's a slightly amusing scene. I cover my smile by taking a sip of my own coffee.
"And a name? Do you have a name, Miss?" Carl picks up his reading glasses and appraises her.
"Oh." She jumps this time, realizing Carl hasn't a clue who she is. She rolls her eyes and lets out a small laugh. "Sage. Sage Hart. I reserved a spot months ago. I know there's a setup deadline, but so many things happened today that I had no control over.”
Carl clears his throat, still dazed by her chatty nature. I could listen to her prattle on about everything and nothing for hours on end. Her voice lilts through me, tickling at my skin.
Carl runs his finger down the paper printout of vendors, flipping pages back and forth. He shakes his head and looks back up at her.
“You’re not on the list Miss Hart. Are you sure you’re in the right place?”
“What? Sure, I’m sure. I have a hotel reservation, too, with the bridal expo reduced rate for vendors.” She twists her hands and thrusts a printed piece of paper in front of Carl. The smile on her face disappears under a worried, wrinkled brow. She taps on the form with a pointed index finger. “My reservation receipt is right here.”
“What’s your business name?” I butt in. Amusing or not, she's had a rough day, and Carl could make this a little easier on them both. "The reservation is most likely under your business."
“Dessert First. I'm a small bakery, a catering company." She watches Carl's finger draw down the piece of paper and then turn the page. His finger stops and taps the page.
“Ah, right here. You’re booth number fifty-two.” He points vaguely in the direction of her booth location without glancing up.
She breathes a sigh of relief and tilts her head in my direction. Her soft brown eyes reflect the light and sparkle. She mouths “thank you” to me and turns her attention back to Carl. He checks a few boxes and slides a welcome packet across the table to her.
"Kitchen closes in thirty minutes. If you have any baked goods to store in the fridge, you better get to it. Chef doesn't like to stay late."
Her shoulders sink, and she appears defeated. But she takes in a deep breath and bucks right back up, straightening her spine through sheer will.
“Got it.” She fakes a salute to Carl and turns, hurrying to the door.
I stare as she walks away, taking in the sway of her hips and the tired bounce in her step. Her backside is just as mind-blowing as her front. She's intriguing, all right, and I might be inclined to do something about my interest, but I’ve got a lot on my plate already. A woman isn’t in the cards right now, but the least I can do is offer her a helping hand.
♥♥♥
Continue reading Sage and Zane's story. Prepare yourself for light lifting and heavy breathing.
♥♥♥
Read Hope's story in Gingerbread & the Guy Next Door.
Read her introduction to the Piper Cook world in Back Stage Pass.
Home Wrecker's Construction
Luca is live in 10 days! He's going through some tough, heartbreaking times, and shouldering the burden on his own. Can Penelope show him there's strength in numbers, or is Luca determined to fight his battles alone?
AUTHOR CORNER
Stuck in Vegas with a Billionaire Alpha A-Hole that I love to hate! Vincent Matthews always gets what he wants. Looks like he’s about to get my V-card.
I don't need a change of pace; I need a change of life, but for now I'll settle for a week of surf, sand, and fun in the sun, along with my new mantra—flirt like a fool.
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XOX Piper