“We’ll fix it,” I promise, cupping her face in my hands. My thumbs brush along her cheeks as I try to think of a way to comfort her.
“Hopefully.” She sighs, turning her head to press a kiss to one of my palms. “Anyway. How was your morning?”
“Well, I was actually coming here to ask you something.”
“You didn’t show up just to be around my amazing personality?”
I shake my head. “That’s a given. I came here to ask if you’ve ever been to New York.”
Her eyes narrow on me. I don’t let go of her cheeks, loving feeling her skin pressed against my fingertips. “I haven’t. Why?”
“Would you want to come to Manhattan with me?” My heart races underneath my sweater. It’s gotten colder here in Sutten. The temperature seemed to really drop over the last week, proving that summer has drifted away and fall is creeping in.
“When?”
“Right now.” I want her to say yes so bad. I want to take her to the place I grew up, to the only city I’ve ever really called home. I imagined having her in my space, showing her my gallery—my own personal art studio. It’s easy to imagine us on a double date with Beck and Margo. Hell, I can even see her getting along with Emma, even though that thought terrifies me.
“Yeah, let me just snap my fingers and end up in New York with you,” she answers sarcastically.
“Well, it wouldn’t be that easy. But I have a jet waiting at the small airport not too far from here. There’s a gala tomorrow night. I’d love to bring you as my date.”
“Me? Your date?”
“I’m sure as hell not bringing anyone else.”
This makes her smile. Her teeth dig into her lip as she shakes her head at me. “I can’t go to New York with you, Camden. I have nothing to wear. I can’t leave Wake and Bake for the weekend. And I have no one to watch Kitty.”
“I’ll buy you a hundred options until you find something perfect for tomorrow. Your employees are amazing and can handle things themselves here. And I’ve already spoken with Marigold. She and your brother will watch Kitty.”
Her eyes turn to slits. “I thought you and Mare hated one another.”
“She’s pretty cool now that she isn’t interrogating me like she’s in the FBI. She even said she and Cade could stop by tomorrow to make sure everything is running smoothly here. Come to New York with me, shortcake. Let me show you my world.”
“What if I don’t fit in?” she asks nervously.
“Is that what this is about?” I press a kiss to her lips, just now remembering I hadn’t kissed her when I first walked in.
She shrugs, looking up at the ceiling as if she doesn’t want to admit it.
“Shortcake, you shine brighter than any other person I’ve ever met. You don’t have to fit in because you outshine everyone else. It’s a remarkable thing.”
“If someone would’ve told me months ago that you say such sweet things, I would’ve told them they’ve lost their mind.”
A small laugh erupts from my chest.
She grabs the collar of my shirt, bringing my face down closer to hers. “No, really,” she continues. “Who knew this cold, ruthless man isn’t all that cold at all.”
“I’m only like that because I’m with you. No one else gets this side of me.”
She smiles, standing on her tiptoes to place a kiss against my lips. I try to deepen it, but she pulls away before I can.
“This idea is crazy,” she points out, her eyes scanning my face. “You don’t seem like the spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, yet here you are.”
“What can I say? You bring out the worst in me, shortcake.”
“I think it’s the best.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Yeah, I do, too.”
I feather kisses along her cheeks, pulling her body fully against mine, trapping her arms between us. “So is that a yes?” I ask against her cheek before moving my lips to her forehead. I don’t stop peppering kisses along her face until she finally answers.
“Okay, I’ll do it!” she yells, trying to push me away. “Camden, you have to stop. What if a customer walks in?”
“There have been times they could’ve found us in far more compromising positions,” I point out.
She snakes her arms around my waist, sliding her cold hands into the waistband of my pants. “Did you hear me say I’d go?”
I smirk. “I did. But I’d like to hear you say it again.”