Page 99 of Sweet Madness
“Yeah… you remind me a little of her.”
“How so?” I whisper.
“She is good and kind and never thought twice about helping someone in need.” I swallow the lump in my throat. His mother was hurt by cruel people around her, yet she found it in her heart to care for those in need. How unfair. How sad.
“She must be so proud of you.” I lean forward on the counter and reach for his hand. “I bet she’s looking down on you with a big smile on her face.”
A look of sadness crosses his expression before he masks it. I hate it when he does that, but I also understand his need to protect himself. “For a long time, I thought she was a coward…” he says roughly. “Then I realized she was anything but. She held onto life and to me for as long as she possibly could before her mind betrayed her.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I do my best to keep them from falling. “Yeah…” I squeeze his hand in silent support. “She’s at peace now, beautiful man.”
He nods sharply before giving my hand one last squeeze and letting go. “Beautiful man, huh?”
I blush but meet his eyes anyway. “So beautiful…” I breathe out.
Shaw’s face softens before he looks down at the cupcakes, seeming almost embarrassed.
My heart does a flip—many flips, actually—at the thought of this hardened man feeling embarrassed by a compliment.
Silence falls upon us. The only sound is the record player softly playing my favorite song in the background. We both returned to what we were doing. I continue mixing the ingredients for another batch while Shaw moves on to decorating the cupcakes and cake pops.
I can’t help but smile as I watch him, my heart fluttering with affection for the man who, although a bit grumpy at times, now helps with baking treats for children. I had the idea, and he went with it. He just asked if it made me happy, and when I said yes, he took out the ingredients from the fridge and wrapped the apron around my waist.
“You’re quite the artist,” I remark, my voice gentle as I admire his handiwork. His cupcakes are both pink and purple, with tiny silver stars on them. Cute.
Shaw glances up, a small smile on his face. “You approve?” he asks.
I nod while adding cocoa powder to the mix. “Cute cupcakes with tiny stars on them baked by you?” I look away from the bowl and meet Shaw’s eyes. “You bet I do.”
His smile widens, making my heart do many more flips inside my chest.
“I want these cupcakes to be special for them.” I return to preparing the batter.
“The brats will love them,” he assures me with confidence, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “You don’t understand what a little sweetness can do, especially for those who need it most, and those kids need it.”
Brats.
My mouth twitches at his ability to be both sweet and a grump.
I nod thoughtfully, my gaze returning to the cupcake in front of him. “I think so too,” I agree happily, my thoughts wandering to the children who will soon receive the treats we’ve baked them with love.
The song playing on the record player ends, and soon another favorite of mine begins. It’s a song about a girl wanting love like her parents.
An hour passes as we finish baking the last round of cupcakes and cake pops, then start packing the treats into carton boxes. Shaw had to run to the store when we ran out of paper cups and flour.
Finally, as we prepare the last box, I step back to admire our work. The kitchen island would have been a mess if it weren’t for Shaw cleaning up after the messes I’ve made. Today, I learned that the man is a bit of a control freak. It’s adorable to watch him wipe the counter relentlessly after I spill some egg yolk.
“We did a good job!” I exclaim, picking up my camera and taking a shot of Shaw leaning on the counter, which is adorned with a colorful array of boxes, each packed with a dozen chocolate cupcakes and cake pops.
I’m lost in thought, looking at the Polaroid I just took of Shaw, when I don’t notice him approaching quietly from behind. His strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me gently toward him. Startled, I let out a small gasp before relaxing into his embrace, my back pressed against his hard chest. “You’re amazing, moonshine,” he whispers close to my ear, making goosebumps break out on my skin. “Want to know something, princess?”
“What?” I breathe out, feeling hot all over because of his warmth.
“I’m hungry,” he drawls.
“Oh,” I stretch my hand and grab a cupcake before turning and offering it to him. “Have a cupcake.”
Without warning, Shaw lifts me effortlessly onto the kitchen counter, his movements smooth and sure. He turns me until I’m facing him, but before I can say a word, he leans in and places a soft kiss on the tip of my nose, his lips warm against my skin.