Frosted Sweets (A Taste of Love Series Book 1) Read online

  FROSTED SWEETS

  VOLUME ONE OF A TASTE OF LOVE SERIES

  A.M. WILLARD

  Booktrope Editions

  Seattle, WA 2015

  COPYRIGHT 2015 ANNELLE WILLARD

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

  Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

  Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

  No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

  Inquiries about additional permissions

  should be directed to: [email protected]

  Cover Design by Chelsea Barnes

  Edited by Lisa Gilliam

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

  PRINT ISBN 978-1-5137-0549-1

  EPUB ISBN 978-1-5137-0600-9

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015917686

  Table of Contents

  COVER

  TITLE PAGE

  COPYRIGHT

  QUOTE

  DEDICATION

  ABOUT THIS BOOK

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  END NOTE

  MORE GREAT READS

  After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, and entice lovers.

  ~ Emily Luchetti

  This is not only dedicated to my readers, but to my son. You have been the light through my darkness, and have shown me the world through different eyes. Today is your birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with a book release and cake. I love you to the moon and back. Always remember to reach for the stars, nothing is impossible.

  ABOUT THIS BOOK

  I wanted to take a moment to give a little insight on not only this novel, but the series, A Taste of Love. This is going to take you on an adventure of friendship, love, and family. Each new book will be told from another friend’s point of view as we read about their life. Now, you’re probably asking yourself, what has she done? Yes, most of you know I like to be different so I decided to knock it up one with this series. This will be full of surprises; you might receive a happy ever after, but I shall never tell as you will have to read to find out. This will cover everyone, as life moves them forward. It’s the ups and downs of life. The real and raw life choices that we sometimes have to make.

  In life, we experience more than just love from boyfriends, spouses, and family. Love can come in forms of friendship and children, along with the traditional routes.

  Family is not always blood, as friends become more than just that.

  Now sit back and enjoy the lives of Morgan, Francesca, Natasha, and Zara.

  I’M STANDING on the podium as I admire myself in the tri-fold mirror and sway my wedding dress from side to side. When I peer up and catch the eyes of my mother behind me, I know this is the perfect gown. They say when you find the one you’ll feel like a princess, and I do. My body is covered from my chest down in the purest white satin I’ve ever seen. It’s December and two weeks away from my wedding. I went with a strapless dress that comes with a matching jacket. A string of pearls runs along the underside of my chest where the pleats gather to flow toward the floor. Since I’ll have to wear the jacket at some point, I’ve opted for the not-so-traditional veil. I’ve chosen a two-layer tulle face blusher, adorned with the same pearls as the dress. It’s just the touch of sass and romance that I need to make it mine.

  I turn and smile at my mother and best friend, Francesca, better known to us as Frankie. “What do you think?”

  “You look gorgeous, and Simon isn’t going to know what hit him when you walk down that aisle,” Frankie says.

  “Mom, do you like it?”

  “Like? I love it, and you were right, this is the one.”

  “I told you it would be perfect.”

  “Yes, and it is,” she says as she stands and walks toward me. My mother gathers the material around my chest to adjust the fit. Today is the last fitting. Between her and Frankie, they have me booked with appointments and things to finalize before the big day. Simon is away on business, but will return this weekend. We have plans to do a walk-thru, and confirm some last-minute things with the reception hall, flowers, and the wedding party gifts.

  “Mom, it fits. I like the fact that I’ll be able to breathe,” I say as I push her hand away from the gown.

  “Okay, well are you taking it with you or do you want me to store it at the house?”

  “I’m taking it home. Simon is gone, and we’ve agreed to not sleep over until after we’re married. I swear it’ll be safe.”

  “Okay dear, just be careful with it at the bakery.”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Frankie, make sure she doesn’t destroy it before the big day, and you, Morgan, you need to verify that Zara has the cupcakes under control. We can’t have the bride slaving away when she needs to be rested.”

  “I will, and don’t worry, everything will go perfectly,” Frankie says.

  “All right, I need to head back to work. Morgan, remember to finish the seating chart and handle your list.”

  “Stop fretting, I so have this under control,” I say, smiling. I’m ready for this to be all over. Between my mother and Simon’s, they are driving me batty.

  “Very well, I’ll call later. Oh, Francesca, don’t forget we need to finalize the spot for the photos.”

  “I have and will text you the location tonight,” Frankie reassures my mother and gains a curt nod and smile from her in response. We smile as my mom walks out of the dressing area relieved that we can go about our day before she ticks off one more thing for us to do.

  “Get me out of this thing. I need to get to the bakery before Zara and Hatcher kill each other.”

  As we zip down the dress and I step out, the realization that I’m getting married hits. This is a day that I have planned for so long, and it’s finally happening. I’ve stalked the weather and kept an eye on how the temperatures are said to dip the night before, but as we all know in Atlanta, Georgia, this could change at a moment’s notice. One moment we will have a cold front and the next a heat wave. Hint to the reason I’m prepared for both with my dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses. Francesca is my maid of honor, while Natasha and Zara, my other best friends, will be standing next to me as I say those final vows to my soon-to-be husband. My dress was easy to find, but theirs, not so much.
Since they all have unique styles, I had to be stern and make the final decision for their dresses. I went with a simple dark turquoise, strapless with a dark platinum silver shawl.

  Frankie pulls me out of my thoughts. “Are you done with me here? I have a shoot that I need to get ready for.”

  “You can go, I just need to wait for them to bag the dress and then I need to head to work.”

  “All right, protect it with your life, or else I’ll have to deal with your mother.”

  “Consider it done. Thanks for being here today.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. Are we still on for finishing the party favors and stuff tonight?”

  “Yes, as soon as the shop closes we’ll get started.”

  “See you then,” Frankie says as she gives me a quick hug and I reach for my Chucks.

  I glance back toward the mirror and take myself in; it’s a total transformation from how I perceived myself a few minutes ago. The princess is gone, and here stands the owner of an up-and-coming bakery. Jeans, my pink t-shirt with our logo for The Polka Dot Café & Bakery paired with my favorite pink Chucks, and my hair back up in a flat bun. This is my standard everyday attire; this is me, the one who is simple and believes in fairy tales. Morgan Lewis is finally getting the happily ever after. Just as soon as the ring slides on Simon’s hand, we can start our life together.

  Simon and I are total opposites, but don’t they always say that opposites attract? We met at a fundraiser that I was catering three years ago. The bakery had just opened, and we were packing the calendar full with benefits, free promotional nights, anything you could think of. After the event, Hatcher, my friend and accountant, was packing the van while Zara and I devoured a few leftover cupcakes. The frosting and just a smidge of the cake had entered my mouth when I let out a pleasurable moan. It wasn’t until then that I figured out someone was standing behind me. “Do you always make that sound when you eat them,” Simon had asked, startling me, which ended up with me spitting the rest at Zara. Since that night we have been connected at the hip, well, until recently. He just got a huge promotion at work in his father’s law firm, and it’s keeping him away on business trips along with late night meetings. It’s just one more reason why I can’t wait for this wedding to be over: the honeymoon. Just us, no one else, no work, no bakery, no law. Perfect is what I call it.

  “Here you go, Morgan. Now, remember to keep this hanging up so you don’t get any wrinkles. I’ve put your veil, shoes, and undergarments all in this bag for you.”

  “Thank you,” I say as I flip the garment bag over my arm and take hold of my bag filled with accessories.

  A chill hits me as I step out onto the sidewalk and start the three block walk toward Centennial Olympic Park. I could walk around it to avoid the puddles from last night’s rain, but it’s prettier and a straight path to my shop. Plus, I need the time to mentally check off all the things that still need to be done. Just as I move through the people walking along the park, my phone rings, alerting me to a text message.

  Zara: Hurry up before I bake Hatch!

  They drive me nuts, but I couldn’t run the store as I do without them. One day they will figure it all out and stop fighting each other. I try to juggle the bags and my phone as I type out my response. Not paying attention to where I’m going, I run right into the back of someone and it sends everything crashing to the ground in a puddle of water.

  “Oh my God, my dress!” I yell, jerking it up and shaking the water off. I hold my breath as I inspect the white bag and then finally release all the air from my lungs when I realize it has a zipped bottom. How I got so lucky that the bag is sealed and my accessories landed right-side up, I have the slightest clue.

  “Let me help you,” the strange man says as he reaches his hand out to hold a bag.

  “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention and usually people are always moving, not stopped on the sidewalk.”

  “Sorry, I’m lost and trying to figure out where I need to be.”

  “What are you searching for? Maybe I can help.”

  “The Time Warner building.”

  “Okay, well …” I say as I turn around and register my surroundings. “See that tall building over there? That’s where you need to go. It’s on Marietta Street.”

  “Thanks, you sure you can handle all your bags?”

  “I certainly can. Good luck and hope you find where you need to be,” I say, pivoting to the side of him in hopes that I don’t drop anything else. I need to check the bags; internally I feel a freak-out rising and need to calm it down before I explode.

  “Thanks, and congrats,” I hear him say behind me, and I throw a hand up with a wave.

  When I approach the light at Park Avenue and glance over at the sign above my store, I smile a big old smile. This place is mine, and I have built it from the ground up making it what it is today. Just last month we were voted the best bakery in Atlanta. That is huge, as the competition here is full of great bakers. I never expected it to take off like it has, but with my signature frosting and gorgeous cupcakes, we made it happen. Initially, it started just as a small bakery, but then last year I added a little coffee-shop feel to the place. With the business commute around us, it seemed to be the right thing to do. Now the local businesses will order their bagels, sweet tarts, cakes for the company party, and other treats for luncheons. Most of the morning crowd just wants to grab a pastry and cup of coffee as they rush off to start their day. At night, we host a few poetry reads and have even hosted an acoustic guitarist once. That is all Zara’s doing with her hippie friends, but it brings in the younger local crowd, which is a win-win for us all.

  The buzzer on the light post announces it’s safe to walk, and I take off toward my shop with the hopes that everyone is still alive inside. I did leave Zara and Hatcher alone, which is never a good thing to do these days.

  With my hip, I push the door open and inhale the aroma of sugar, flour, and the faint hint of vanilla in the air. After a quick glance around at the customers that have taken up space at the table tops, I peer around at the walls. Pink, brown, and cream with huge polka dots along one wall, and a few pictures that Frankie took at my grand opening adorn the other side. The front is full of glass windows, our open sign, along with a static logo. The display cases are packed with our freshest products, the coffee is steaming from behind, and the sound of Hatcher banging the register grabs my attention.

  “Let me put this away and I’ll come help,” I say as I make my way to my office in the back. Once I enter, I hang my wedding dress up on the coat rack and set the bag down on the floor next to it. I grab an old shirt and wipe the outside of the plastic off, and then inspect the contents in the bag. Everything seems to have survived the drop, and better yet, I’ll escape my mother.

  We definitely don’t have time to fix my gown or order a new veil. I’ll need to pay better attention and make sure to handle it with care.

  THE AFTERNOON CROWD picked up more than I had expected, and with five minutes left before I can turn off the open sign, I perch myself up against the counter. My planner is laid out in front of me as I bounce my pen against the filled pages. Zara is whipping up the ingredients for tomorrow’s orders, but Hatcher ditched us girls. He’s not interested in helping with the wedding. That only leaves Frankie and Natasha left to arrive. Natasha will be late since she had court today, and Francesca texted a while ago saying she just finished her shoot but will be here soon.

  I head through the double doors that lead to the kitchen to see if I can offer some help. The sooner we get these batches done, the faster we can finish our list of wedding to-dos. I peek inside the bowl that’s spinning on the base of the huge industrial mixer and smile at the perfect color of chocolate. The trick is to mix and mix until the dark powder becomes a light brown color, then let it sit in the refrigerator unit overnight. This will ensure that once it softens in the morning, it’ll rise correctly and still hold the softest texture that you’ve ever put in your mouth.

>   “Step away from that bowl, I’ll handle that one. The last thing we need is for your lips to swell up before the wedding. Remember you aren’t allowed to touch anything dark.”

  “I know and don’t worry, I have no plans to move it. That’s why I have you,” I say as I stick my tongue out at my friend.

  “Better not. I know how you think that one little taste won’t do anything. I’m on strict orders that you aren’t even allowed the tiniest of licks from the bowl.”

  “You know it sucks that chocolate makes my lips swell up like they got attached to a blower. Sometimes it’s worth the pouty lips. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  “I do, but we can’t have those huge lips taking over the wedding pictures. I mean we’ll already have Natasha’s face smacking the lens.”

  “Be nice, and I’ve already asked her to tone down the lipstick for the big day.”

  “You think, but how long have we known her?”

  “Years, but have a little faith.”

  “I don’t understand how someone who is so professional and sophisticated adores lipstick the way she does. Have you ever seen her collection?”

  “I have. She’s even offered to let me use that one pale pink color I love so much.” I make sure Zara isn’t watching me and slide my finger around the edge of the bowl. With one quick lick of the finger, I smile at the flavor hitting my taste buds.

  “Did you just do what I think you did?”

  “I don’t know what you think I did, so no,” I say as I back away from her and head out front to close the shop. I notice a customer opening the door, and I recognize him from the park this morning. I run my hands down the front of my apron and look back up. “How may I help you?”

  “Oh, I need to pick up an order for The A-Team. Hey, aren’t you the girl from this morning that almost knocked me over?”