Sweet Enough to Eat (Wedding Cake 2)

Chapter One

Nikki

I bounce my shoulders to the music as I look around the wedding reception. No one’s caught my eye, but it’s not like anyone ever does. If they had, I wouldn’t be here looking for the one. Instead I’d be at home with him, grilling in our backyard and enjoying the late spring day. Or maybe we’d have date night and he’d take me out for dinner and dancing.

I could go on and on with my list of ideas for my imaginary life, but as my list keeps growing, time keeps passing. Finding my forever man feels as though it’s getting further and further away every day. With everything else in life, I can work for what I want. I moved out of my overbearing parents’ house and got my dream job dancing, which is something they told me I’d never be able to do.

Falling in love is something I can’t work for. Unless you count crashing weddings as a way of finding him. I hate that my faith in my grandma is wavering. She told me when I found the one I’d know instantly. My whole world would light up and I’d feel it in my soul. She never steered me wrong and I’m trying to hold on to her advice. I don’t know what I would have done growing up without her because she was my saving grace from my parents.

Weddings are always filled with so much love and they get you thinking about the next step in life. That’s why I thought it would be the perfect place to meet someone. I’ve been to dozens of weddings and not one spark of anything has ever happened. At least I always get a slice of cake and the chance to dance. But afterwards I start to feel down as I give the room a once-over and leave without finding my future husband. Tonight, though, something is different. I’m not sure if it’s because something’s going to happen or if I already know it’s going to be another bust.

Not wanting to wait around and find out, I walk to the DJ booth thinking of a list of songs I’m going to request. I can at least get some good music going in here. Dancing is a part of who I am, but music moves me.

I stop short and nearly fall forward when my eye lands on the broad chest of a man who’s practically standing on top of me. His hands grab my arms to keeping me in place so that I don’t fall face first into him. Before I can ask him why he’s in my space, his deep voice rumbles over me and it makes my breath hitch.

“I got you.”

It’s him. I haven’t even really gotten a look at him and I know he’s the one. His warm hands hold on to me tightly as if in fear that I might try and get away. I’m not going anywhere because I’ve finally found him. Slowly I lift my head to look up into the grayest eyes I’ve ever seen. My heart thuds and then warmth floods my system.

“Have we met?” he asks, searching my face. “Never mind, we couldn’t have. I wouldn’t have let you go.”

I smile up at him and I know what he means. It already feels like I know him and I realize that my grandma was right. I know he’s my forever man and he’s more handsome than I could have imagined. He’s got dark hair cut short and a perfect smile. Yeah, I would have remembered him too if we’d met before. Not only that but he’s tall and I’m in heels. I have to lean back to look up at him and I’m not a short girl.

“Tell me your name.” He cocks a smile down at me and I swear for a moment I forget it.

There’s a long pause and I swallow. “Nikki,” I manage to say, and it makes his smile widen.

“Nikki.” He repeats it slowly, savoring the word on his tongue. “I’m Dean.” He leans down and I can feel his breath against my lips. “I’m going to kiss you, Nikki.”

I don’t wait for him to do it as I stand on my tiptoes to press my mouth against his. I don’t want to wait another second. I’ve done my waiting and that’s over starting now.

I sigh against his mouth and it feels like coming home after being away for an eternity. His lips touch mine and it’s the single greatest feeling in the world. I slide my hands up his chest and wrap them around his neck. He pulls me into him and I melt against his strong, thick body. It isn’t enough because I’m desperate for more. I try to deepen the kiss, but he pulls back, his breathing heavy.