She bit her lip, drawing his eyes once again to the delectable flesh. “So, I’ve been thinking.”
Oh, God. Donovan couldn’t stop a groan from spilling past his lips.
Jada held up her hands. “I deserve that. However, I’m growing.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll be the judge of that. Continue.”
Jada rolled her eyes. “I was thinking that maybe we should make that appearance on Good Day, San Diego.”
He blinked. That’s not what he’d expected her to say, but he should have known to expect the unexpected from her. “Why?”
“Because it will generate interest in the shop, and that’s the whole point of this ruse.”
He reached for her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Are you sure? You know if we do the show, they’ll ask about your time on My One and Only.”
She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, ever the warrior. “I know, but I can handle it. It’s time for me to stop hiding.” She turned her hand to absently draw light circles in his palm. The air caught in his lungs. Why did her touch affect him so damn much? “Besides, I’ll have you there for backup.” A teasing grin pulled at her lips, drawing him deeper into her web, a web he was finding harder and harder to resist.
“And that’s not all.”
He grinned. Jada was gonna Jada, and he was starting to … appreciate it. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Tonight was a huge success.” She spoke in a rush, like she’d practiced the speech and wanted to get it out before he objected. “I was thinking we should do more events. Stay open so we can get the folks traipsing home after the bars and clubs close. Who needs tacos when you can have sugar to soak up the alcohol?”
He pointed at his chest in mock indignation. “I need tacos. Never say no to tacos. It’s my life motto.”
She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Okay, I stand corrected. But my point stands. We need to make this place a destination, a neighborhood hangout spot. I have to assume you opened the shop here because of the prime location. We need to take advantage of that. Can I be candid?”
“When have you ever not been?” Determined Businesswoman Jada was the sexiest Jada.
“You like numbers. You see your customers as statistics, the cupcakes as inventory, but that’s really shortsighted.”
His eyebrows rose. “Is it?”
“Yes,” she said, her chocolaty eyes sparkling with determination and conviction. “There are too many other cupcake shops around to solely rely on the numbers to keep you ahead. You need more. Hosting special events and opening after hours gives you the perfect opportunity to lure your neighbors in. This is the perfect place to sit back, relax, get high off sugar, and bond. What more could they ask for?”
Donovan couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I don’t know, but I assume you’re going to tell me.”
“Yes, I am. Why don’t we use this abundance of wonderful space—”
“Didn’t you call it stale the first time you were here?”
She waved away that truth. “That’s not important, even though the place could use some new decor, if I’m being honest. What is important is that we need to host events here.”
Donovan studied her. “You keep saying ‘we.’”
Jada’s chin lifted. “Yes, because I want to plan the events. As you said, I did a good job tonight. I believe this can be my way to bring value to Sugar Blitz.” A soft smile touched her luscious lips. “We both know it won’t be with my baking.” She squared her shoulders. “So yes, I want to plan the events.”
Determination, along with a dose of uncertainty, swam in her eyes. She bit her lip, waiting for his answer. Bracing for him to turn her down. Let her down.
That wasn’t going to happen. His way of doing things hadn’t panned out exactly. Tonight had been a success. Her enthusiasm was certainly contagious, her determination admirable. He wouldn’t be the one to disappoint her. “What do you suggest?”
She let out a little squeal that was frankly too cute for words, which he couldn’t believe he was admitting to himself, and clapped her hands. “Let me handle that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Donovan sniffed. Something new was in the air. Something other than sugar and chocolate. Something familiar. Something terrifying.
His mother’s perfume.
“Donovan, are you okay?”
He barely registered Jada’s question. Not when …