“You still haven’t answered my question, Delilah. Who are all of these men?”

  “They are my book boyfriends, Nick! Jeez, calm down.”

  I take a deep breath and try to be rational. In a calm voice, I ask. “What’s a book boyfriend and how do I find them so I can kick their asses?

  She chuckles again at my expense and responds, “I don’t think you will be able to kick any of their asses, sweetheart.”

  Now my hackles are rising once again. How dare she question my machismo? “What? You don’t think I can take them?” I ask, my ego bruised.

  “Because they live in my Kindle, dumbass. They are fictional!” she shouts at me, knocking me down a peg or two.

  “Oh,” I say softly, “In that case, what was that about peanut butter you mentioned?”

  We laugh together until the drama is forgotten. We stay on the phone for another few hours talking about everything and nothing. We even listen to some music and eat dinner on the phone together. The conversation flows so easily and there is a comfort level between us that is so natural, as if we have known each other for years, instead of months. Every day that passes, I fall deeper for this girl. I can only pray that she feels the same way.

  As midnight approaches, we start saying our goodnights. Neither of us wants to hang up the phone, but we both have to be at work early. By 1:00 am, we are still holding on. Both of us are drifting to sleep, so I force her to hang-up.

  “Hang up, LaLa,” I say softly, “You are exhausted.”

  “So are you. I can’t wait to fall asleep in your arms.” She yawns, and my heart flutters.

  “You know if I was there we wouldn’t get any sleep!”

  She sniggers and agrees. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “Goodnight, LaLa. It’s time to hang up.”

  “Okay,” she agrees sleepily.

  “And, Delilah?

  “Yeah, babe?”

  “Don’t be on time tomorrow. Your boss says to come into work a little late.”

  “Yes, boss,” she answers with a giggle.

  My cock stirs. Damn it!

  “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

  “Nite, Nick. I …”

  I suck in a quick breath, wondering what she is about to say. Am I ready for it? Will I say it back? “Yeah?”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she answers, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  Before I have the chance to respond, I hear a click, dead air, then the operator yammering in my ear…”If you’d like to make a call, please hang up and try again. If you need help, hang up, and then dial your operator.” Oh, yeah, I need help all right.

  ♫♩♫♩♫♩♫

  Delilah

  I can’t believe I almost let it slip. I was so tired, and it felt so natural, that it just escaped. Thank God, I caught myself! That would have been tragic; especially since there is no way that Nick has those kinds of feelings for me. I wouldn’t be able to face him in the morning. I mean, I know he is attracted to me, and he really likes me as a person. He even calls me his girlfriend, but I just don’t see those words coming out of his lips for me. But that’s neither here nor there.

  Nick told me to take the morning off and to come into work late today, and I know he meant it, but that’s just not in my nature. Besides, I can’t wait to see him. I take my time getting dressed, prepare myself a lunch, even have a second cup of coffee, but I am still running early. I stop at the café on my way in to pick up a coffee and cannoli for Nick, but they are out of cannolis. Of course. So, I pick up a donut instead. If he doesn’t eat it, I will.

  I get to the office just after 9:00 am, and as I approach my desk, I see the top of Nick’s head, his ass in the air. What a sight! I say good morning, but obviously startle him because as he stands to greet me, he slams the top of his head into my desk.

  “Ouch, shit! Hey there, Delilah.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty hard,” he says, knocking on his head. But the double entendre isn’t lost on either of us and my eyes drift south. I can’t stop the blush that creeps up, but ignore it as I know Nick likes it. “What are you doing here?” he asks.

  “Couldn’t sleep, so I figured I would just come into work. What are you doing here?” I ask, waving my arms around my desk, wondering why he is going through my desk drawers.

  Nick continues to rifle through my bottom right drawer, obviously looking for something. “Ah ha! Here it is! I have been looking for this file all morning,” Nick elates, and then throws his arm in the air showing me the document.

  “You could have called me if you couldn’t find something, Nick. That’s what I am here for… to assist you.”

  “Thanks, Doll. But I was hoping that you were sleeping in this morning,” he says with a wink. “But now that you are here, can you come into my office? I have something that I need to talk to you about.”

  I put my purse into my desk, grab the coffee and donut, and head into his office. I tamp down my sudden burst of panic. As soon as I hear the words “need to talk,” my stomach drops with dread. “I picked this up for you on my way in. They didn’t have any cannolis today, sorry,” I try to say cheerfully, hoping that he doesn’t catch on to my anxiety.

  “Thank you, Delilah. You really didn’t have to do that, but since you did…” Nick rips into the bag like a kid on Christmas, and his eyes light up when he sees the donut. “I haven’t had a donut in years,” he says talking with a mouth full of donut, his lips covered in powdered sugar.

  I chuckle at the sight of a grown man devouring the treat like it’s the first time he’s ever had sugar. “I’m glad you are enjoying it! I try to have one myself at least once a month. Why deprive yourself of the doughy, sugary, goodness?”

  “I am so glad that you are a dessert connoisseur because I have a job for us. Well, for you actually. That’s what I need to talk to you about.” I take a deep breath and let it out, feeling much better knowing that whatever he needs to discuss with me is just about work.

  Nick sits in his big leather chair behind his desk, and then points to the chair across from him, telling me to take a seat. “Since I didn’t think you were coming in this morning, I went through all of the voicemails. There was one from my ex, Veronica,” he says disdainfully.

  “Um, okay?” I say, panic rising again, as are my eyebrows.

  “She is the new President of the charity we are going to the ball for next month. It’s a non-profit helping abused and neglected children find loving homes.” I nod for him to continue, listening intently. I am not thrilled that his ex is still in the picture, and even more perturbed knowing that she will be at the ball. “Anyway, she called because the board member who is in charge of finding the dessert caterer, as well as choosing all of the desserts for the event, has a family emergency and can no longer fulfill her job duties.”

  I am not 100% certain where he is going with this, but it definitely does sound like something I would love to do. “Okay, go on.”

  “So, since she is so new at this, she really doesn’t know anybody she can ask a favor from…”

  I cut him off, feeling a little annoyed. I really can’t explain what transpires next. Hormonal, raving, out of my mind, lunatic. Yep, I went there. “That’s just bullshit, Nick. She is totally manipulating you to get you back. First, you will be her ‘hero,’ by saving the desserts, then she will attempt to lure you into bed,” I say, jealousy rearing its ugly head. “If you want to be with her again, just tell me. Feel free to go and work with her on this whole dessert rouse, but don’t treat me like an idiot. I don’t deal with liars, and I certainly don’t deal with cheaters!” I yell, standing up abruptly. I guess Ryan did fuck me up more than I thought.

  I start to walk out of Nick’s office, but he jumps up and blocks me from leaving. “What just happened?” he asks, completely confused.

  “I’ve just been here before, Nick. Remember, with Ryan? And I can’t put myself there again. If you would rather be with someone else, then please…”

  Nick leans down and kisses me gently. “You are the only woman I want, Delilah. The only one I have ever wanted. The only one I will ever want.”

  “Really?” I ask, completely humiliated by my outburst, but proud of myself for standing up for myself just the same. Fucking green-eyed monster.

  “Yes, really. Trust, remember?” he asks, running his knuckles down my face.

  “Ugh, yeah, I know. You’re right, Nick. I am so sorry for freaking out on you. Please forgive me,” I beg. Boy have the tables turned.

  I lift onto my tippy toes, trying to reach his mouth. He meets me half way and as our lips collide, I feel a desperation that I never felt before.

  “Of course I forgive you,” he says a little out of breath from our kiss. “Green looks good on you; I’m flattered by your jealousy, but it is completely unnecessary,” he reassures me, then gives me a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.

  And just like that, I have no doubt that I have fallen in love.

  ♫♩♫♩♫♩♫

  Delilah again…

  After my little eruption, and a few more minutes of making out, Nick explains what the rest of my job entails - find a dessert caterer and pick out the menu a.s.a.p. Also, price is not an issue. Apparently, the attendees pay a thousand dollars per plate. “It’s all for the children,” Nick says, when he sees my face go ashen.

  Of course, I make sure that I report directly to him, and that she won’t be joining me on any of the tastings. I don’t want anything to do with this Veronica chick. He assures me that I am the boss and all decisions I make are final. Sweet! No pun intended.

  I spend the next week balancing my days between work and dessert tastings. I try to schedule them all for my lunch hour, but Nick tells me to do whatever I need to do to get it done. It is my “top priority,” according into him. And since the charity ball is only ten days away, I try to keep focused. With my nose to the grindstone, I visit six cake shops in four days, and have nothing to show for it but a stomachache and an extra pound or so on my ass.

  I need to find the “hot” place that only the rich use. The elite. The best. The top of the heap. The cream of the crop. Hmmm, maybe a place that does celebrity weddings? Oh my God! Duh, Charlie! As soon as I realize she is the answer, I send her a text.

  Delilah: Hey, lady!

  Charlie: Hello, my friend. What’s up?

  Delilah: Need a favor

  Charlie: Anything for u!

  Delilah: I need a cake place to cater for the charity ball. The best. 1 that all the celebs use

  Charlie: Hmmm. Delectable Desserts on 5th ave. Across from Saks

  Delilah: Thank u! IOU : )

  Charlie: It may be hard to get an appt. I hear he is not easy to work with, but is the best

  Delilah: Ok, thx! I will call right now

  Charlie: Ok, let me know what happens. Ttyl

  Delilah: Bye!

  She wasn’t kidding. Just after I finished texting with Charlie, I Google Delectable Desserts and give them a call. I speak to Donna, who is the assistant, but I know from the website that I need to make the appointment with Fronk.

  “Sorry, honey, he only works with celebrity couples,” she tells me when I try to make an appointment.

  “What? Really? Well, Nick, um, he is a very well known, high profile attorney. He has defended some of the most notorious criminals,” I squeak out, trying to come up with something that she will accept to give me an appointment.

  “And you are his…” she pauses, waiting for my response.

  “Fiancée?” I lie. Shit, shit, shit! Nick is going to kill me.

  “Well, in that case, dear, why didn’t you say?”

  “Sorry, it’s just a very…recent…sudden…” I stutter, unable to finish the sentence. Damn, I am such a bad liar!

  Donna chuckles and it’s a good thing that we are on the phone, because my cheeks are rosy and sweat is dripping down my back. How am I going to explain this to Nick? I guess I really don’t have to. Nobody has to know really, right?

  “Usually Fronk is booked up months ahead, but lucky you, he has a cancellation! He is available this Friday at 1:00 pm. We will see you two lovebirds then.”

  “Wait! Oh, no, no, no, Donna. Nick is a very busy man. It will be just me.” I dance around the issue. Holy crap, I am freaking out.

  “Sorry, hun. Fronk only takes appointments with couples. He wants to make sure everybody is happy. Do you want to check Nick’s schedule and get back to me? Just know I can’t guarantee the slot will still be open.”

  “No, that’s okay, Donna. We will be there. I will make sure of it.”

  “Okay, dear. Looking forward to meeting you two.”

  “You as well. Goodbye.”

  I hang up and slouch into my chair. I am flushed, sweating, and now sick to my stomach for lying. I know it isn’t a horrible lie, but still a lie nonetheless. I tell myself it is for the children and try to compose myself. How the hell am I going to convince Nick to go with me? Oh, what a tangled web we weave…

  ♫♩♫♩♫♩♫

  Nick

  As the work piles up, my days seem to blur together. It is Friday morning already, and I haven’t had the chance to plan a date with Delilah this week - rule number three. I have gotten into the office early every day this week, trying to get work done before she gets here. It seems as though as soon as she is within reaching distance, I am completely distracted. I can probably tell you what she wore every day, but I can’t remember the most important details of the cases I am working on.

  I glance up at her out the windowed wall, and even in her professional wear, she is stunning. I told her to start dressing more casual on Fridays, and I worried for a minute because last time I told her to dress down she was a hot mess; but today, she looks spectacular and tantalizing and I can’t concentrate – a reoccurring theme. She is wearing a red wrap dress that drapes across her cleavage perfectly. And, instead of heels, she has on wedges, the heels looking like cork. How do women walk in those things? I can’t help staring. The things she does to me…and makes me want to do to her.

  I shake my head and remind myself why I was looking at her in the first place, trying to grab her attention. She catches my eyes, and I wink. She smiles, and shakes her head. I signal her to come into my office, giving her the head nod. We are so in sync, nonverbals are all we need to communicate most days.

  “Hey there, Delilah,” I say, but have now started to almost sing it. Have to change it up some. Don’t want to become boring.

  “Hi, Boss. What can I do for you?” she asks. And for the second time, I find myself completely turned on by the sound of that. Damn, I am going to have to get her to call me that in bed.

  “I noticed while reviewing my schedule this morning that I have no meetings this afternoon. I thought maybe we could cut out early and have that date I owe you.”

  “Oh…um…yeah…about that,” Delilah stutters, confusing me.

  I notice that all of a sudden her face flushes. She is picking at her nail polish, not meeting my eyes.

  I get up from behind my desk and take a seat in the chair next to her. “Everything okay, Doll? What’s wrong?” I ask, beginning to worry a little.

  “I kind of finagled your schedule a little bit so that you would be free all afternoon,” she says nervously, “please don’t be upset.”

  “I’m not upset. Look at me. I am not mad. But why?”

  Delilah finally meets my eyes, and I can see the worry in them. “I thought maybe I can take you out?”

  I lean my head back and bark out a laugh. Why is she so nervous to ask me out? She has to know that she owns me. “Of course! I would love that! What do you have in mind?”

  She laughs in relief when she sees my reaction and hears my response. I can physically see her body relax. “I have something in mind. I will tell you more later. Get back to work,” she orders me and I can’t help but smile. We stare at each other briefly before returning to work, but I can’t resist her mouth, so I lean in and capture her lips for a quick, but passionate kiss.

  ♫♩♫♩♫♩♫

  Delilah

  Mission accomplished. I got Nick away from work, and we are in his car - oh my God, how sexy is this car? – and on our way to Delectable Desserts. Only he doesn’t know that yet. I give him the address, and he pulls out of the parking garage, heading to Fifth Avenue. Even though our office is not too far, with Friday afternoon traffic, it may take a little longer than usual to get there. Perfect time for me to bare my soul. Purge my sins. Cop to the lie.

  “So? Where are we headed?” he asks, curiosity getting the better of him.

  I just stare at his profile for a couple beats. Damn, he is magnificent! Every time I look at him like this – carefree and at ease – I am reminded of how much I care about him. How much I want him. How much I want him to want me. “Promise me that no matter what I say, you will not turn this car around.”

  “Delilah, where are we going?”

  “Promise me, Nick.”

  He takes a deep breath and agrees. “Fine, I promise. Now tell me.”

  Now it’s my turn to take a deep breath. I blow it out and decide to spit out the whole story. I look straight ahead, afraid if I look into his gorgeous greens, I will chicken out. Not to mention the fact that I am humiliated for putting us in this position. Oh, and let’s not forget that I lied to get us into said position.

  “So, I went to like a gazillion dessert and cake shops. Trying out different desserts, tasting a buttload of cake – literally. They were all okay, I guess, but nothing great. And I want great. I want fantastic. I want… I want… spectacular!” I shout.

  I take a chance and glance over at Nick. He appears to be amused by my story telling skills so far, so I continue, even though he hasn’t commented yet.

  “Anyway, I ran out of options. Well, at least I thought I did. Then I remembered that Charlie has connections to this kind of stuff. So she gave me the name of a place. Delectable Desserts.”