Love Actually (Love By Design 5)

“Fucking Noah. He took you there didn’t he.” Louisa didn’t even sound upset, more like irritated I’d been there without her. Noah said his aunt owned the place, and hey, small towns must have been limited in good restaurants unlike Manhattan where it was hard to eat at the same place twice.

I put my hand over hers to reassure her it was fine. If she was touching me, I figured I could touch her back. “Well, I can agree they do have the best cannoli. That’s not weird is it? That I went out Noah? I mean nothing happened.”

Louisa made a face and then smiled. It was kind of funny.

“It’s not weird if you’re fine with the fact that Noah and I were prom dates many moons ago.”

Now that was a surprise to me.

“Oh my god, really?”

She huffed and rolled her neck like she was working out more than a kink in the joint. She seemed to be taking this well, or as well as could

be expected. “Yes. Really. I should have known he’d take you there. He only takes girls he really likes there.”

I squeezed her hand again giving her a smile.

“He was nice, but there were no sparks. He’s a good friend.”

“I’m glad we agree on that.” A commotion in the kitchen made us step apart and look at the doors to the kitchen. Louisa let out a heavy breath. “You two can come out now. It doesn’t take that long to brew coffee.” Her tone beckoned out our voyeurs and I giggled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Taylor came out with a tray holding four cups of coffee like she was presenting high tea to the Queen minus the cucumber sandwiches.

“She made me do it.” Kristen said with a grumpy pout before popping a piece of cake in her mouth.

“The chocolate hazelnut ganache.” Louisa muttered.

We all turned to look at her.

“That’s what you and Hunter should have in your cake.”

We nodded agreeing it was good decision.

“Take her to the Mountain Haus. Good food, respectable desserts with a seasonal drink menu.” Kristen huffed.

“Hey, do I get a say in this?” I joked. Taylor shrugged.

Louisa stepped closer to me putting her arm around my side and spoke into my ear, “Did you want one?”

“Fuck that’s hot, I gotta go.” Kristen jetted from the bakery with her purse and Taylor chuckled thanking me for setting up the cake tasting.

“I’ll pick you up later.” Louisa gave me a gentle squeeze and my heart fluttered wondering how the heck this all happened so fast.

11

Louisa

12

Carmen

13

Louisa

14

Carmen