Chapter 4

Cilla shifted her weight from one foot to the other while she waited. Just keep it together Cil. You can do this. You’ve done cakes for celebrities before. She rolled her eyes at that thought. None of them were a hot, sexy 46 year-old rock star/divorced dad of four. She smoothed a hand down her ponytail as the door opened in front of her.

“Yeah, can I help you?”

Cilla looked up into the bluest eyes she could ever remember seeing. His pictures really didn’t do him justice. She let her eyes roam over him, his jeans were worn and faded, his black t-shirt was molded to his frame and his hair was going every which way, as if he had been running his fingers through it. She managed a smile when the crash behind Jon snapped her out of her reverie.

“Son of a… Romeo, get over here!”

Cilla glanced over Jon’s shoulder in time to see a tall dark haired body move quickly past. She looked back at Jon, an amused smile tugging at his mouth. “Hi, I’m Cilla from Queen of Tarts. I’m here to deliver a birthday cake.”

Jon opened the door wider, “come on in, just watch out for the half naked little man running around here.” Cilla laughed, “terrible twos?” Jon led Cilla through to the dining room, “atrocious threes. He has a major aversion to clothes these days.”

Just then Richie came out with Romeo over his shoulder, pants firmly in place. “Success brother.” He passed Romeo over to Jon, “who’s the little lady?” Cilla looked up, “I’m Cilla” she held out her hand, “it’s nice to meet you …” She didn’t say his name not wanting to be too familiar with someone she knew but didn’t know. Richie smiled and took her hand, “I’m Richie, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He looked beyond her at the cart, “what is that?”

She lifted the cardboard cover off the cake, “it’s a birthday cake.” Jon and Richie watched as she moved the cake to the table and set the decorations around it. When she was finished she turned and handed Jon the tall, slim candles. “These are sparkler candles. Just be careful with the little ones running around. You don’t want any burnt fingers.”

Jon took the candles and managed to grab Romeo’s hand before he could stick his fingers in the cake, “thank you.” He looked the cake over, “Steph’s going to love it.” Cilla smiled, “I was hoping you were going to say that.”

Richie cleared his throat, “do you deliver to LA by any chance? My daughter’s birthday is in the fall, she’d love something like that.” Cilla turned to Richie, “sorry, can’t help you with that. LA is just a bit outside my delivery zone.” She smiled and handed him her card, “I could recommend someone out there for you though.” She gathered her things, “my job here is done. Enjoy the cake and the party.”

Jon led her back to the door, picking up an envelope from the table by the door, “here” he handed it to her. Cilla took it and when their fingers touched she felt a tingle all the way up her arm to her shoulder. She looked up at him and their eyes finally met, “thank you.” He was taken by the unusual color of her eyes, there were gray with just a bit of blue near the pupil. Very interesting. The jolt of their fingers touching hadn’t gone unnoticed either, but he wasn’t quite sure what to do about that. Yet.