He pulled his hand away while pointing in feigned interest at a nearby peddler—
Adria tightened her hold like a vise grip before he could move apart.
“Wow, I didn’t even see that, Kai,” she exclaimed. Without even thinking, she whirled around and embraced him in a generous hug. She pressed her head against his shoulder and crushed his back as tightly as she could.
Uh oh. “Huh?” He was still standing in mirthful shock when she darted toward the merchant. Even then, she did not let go of his hand. By Áine, she smells so nice.
“Don’t you see all those yummies he’s selling? Look at all those chocolate truffles and the gourmet cookies on the left and—ah, Kaidan! Kaidan!” The last syllable of his name dragged on melodically as she grabbed his shoulder and shook him wildly. Any passerby would think that she was trying to resuscitate the dead or break him out of a hypnotic trance. “He has cheesecake.Cheesecake, Kaidan! Do you know how—ah! Kaidan, it’s caramel too! Trust me; I know my desserts.” She glared at him suspiciously. “Don’t judge me, Kai. They’re really, really good! By the way, did I mention that he has cheesecake?”
“I, uh, okay.” He did not have to see Adria lick her lips hungrily to know her intentions. Without a doubt, she was already salivating over the confections. Bless her if she can handle it. We just ate, though.
“What do you want? Tell me, Kai. It’s my treat!”
He scratched his neck and squinted. “You don’t have to Adria. It’s okay.”
She grimaced. “Not happening, Kai. Pick one! Hurry!”
I knew that was coming. “Well, if you insist. There are so many choices to pick from.”
“I’ll count down from five.”
Geez! “Okay, um, how about some of those white chocolate candies? We can share them.”
She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. Got it, Kai. Caramel cheesecake for you, too, it is! Stay right here. I’ll be back in a flash!
Adria squeezed his hand gently and ignored the comic disbelief across Kaidan’s face. He was still standing there in a daze when she skipped away toward the vendor. Soon, he would know why cheesecake was far too fine of a treat to pass up. Hardly anything could compare to it under any circumstance.
Kaidan watched her scamper off glumly. It only seemed fitting that clouds blanketed the darkening sky above. Still, he persisted on stretching his time with Adria as far as possible. Perhaps deep down, he knew that briefly enjoying her company was better than nothing at all.
I received a ARC in exchange for a review. Young love ahh to be young again and blind to the good things we have and chasing after the bad boy...
Adria wants to fall in love more than anything and experience all the thing she sees others in love doing. Sometimes we are looking so hard for something that we don't see what's right in front of us. This story we get to see the journey of 2 people who are totally in love with each other but don't truly see it. People can see their connection but they are so focused that don't realize it has been right there all along. I'm a romantic so any chance I get to read love stories I jump at it. Jake did a wonderful job of building an amazing world and characters you truly connected with weather being angry at them or getting teary eyed over things said and done. I would recommend to my readers with no hesitation. Keep track of Jake I think we will continue to see more amazing stories out of him!!
