Her eyes soften and she says, “I know things have been challenging for you lately. Just stay focused. Sometimes it seems like our journey has changed but really it’s just a different path. Stay the course, Morgan. Finish what you came here to accomplish.”
She walks over to the oven and opens the door. Using a thick pot holder pulls out a tiny, perfectly baked pie. She places it on a plate and brings it to me with a fork.
“Let it cool.”
“Thank you.”
She grins. “Don’t let the boys see, okay? I already kicked them out once today.”
I return the smile and on my way out the door say, “I won’t. I promise.”
*
I never planned on hiding the pie. I go straight upstairs, past the second floor and my suite on the third, heading straight to the attic. I needed something to lure him out. Something irresistible. Something sweet.
Bunny’s been hiding from me.
I secure the plate behind my back and knock on the door. It takes him a few minutes but when the door swings open, Bunny stands there looking adorable with rumpled clothes, messed-up hair and askew glasses.
“Hey Bun, did you just wake up?”
“Uh, no.” He rubs his eyes. “I’ve been working on a painting all night.”
“You’ve been really busy lately. I’ve hardly seen you.”
“Yeah.” He sniffs. “I really should get back to it.”
“Okay,” I say, fully aware he’s been avoiding me for weeks. He’s been sweet of course. Gentle and kind, but unless he has to talk to me, he vanishes. I’m ready to find out why. “I thought maybe you’d like a sneak peek of dessert tonight.”
“Dessert?” Even if he’s able to resist me, he’s unable to fight his love of sweets.
I hold the pie up, right under his nose. The warm scent wafts between us. “Smells good, right?”
He nods.
I pick up the fork and press it to my bottom lip. “I thought maybe we could share.”
He swallows. “Now?”
“I know eating dessert so close to dinner is a little naughty, but why not?”
His eyes are all over. On the pie. On my mouth. Lingering over the tiny hint of cleavage showing under my neck. He licks his lips and I hold the pie higher, thinking I’ve finally got him.
Hook. Line. Sinker.
His eyes dart behind him and he clears his throat. “You know, I’m just really busy. Like totally in the middle of this piece. I can wait until after dinner.” He begins to shut the door but stops abruptly. “But thanks, though. That was sweet.”
The door shuts with a harsh click.
Okay then, it’s going to take more than pie to lure Bunny out of his funk.
Chapter Two
Bunny
I shut the door and lock it—providing a safe barrier between us. Me and the pie. Me and Morgan.
I walk away, rubbing my hands through my hair. I’m exhausted and wound tight. My mind is a hamster wheel of creativity