“Oh no, he knows it’s all about the cake and pie for me.”

Dax laughed. “Right. He probably knows you pretty well.”

She nodded. “But he and Kelsey think it will be fun to pretend we are getting married and we’re there to make plans.”

Dax liked Jack already. “So at the event we’ll have to act like we’re in love and like I’m ready to throw an elaborate, over-the-top party to declare you off the market and totally monogamous to only me.”

She lifted a brow. “Well, you will also be off the market and totally monogamous only to me.”

He liked that little flicker of possessiveness. He leaned in and stole a kiss. “Damn right,” he said against her lips.

She gave a little sigh and then pulled back. “So you can pull this off?”

“Acting crazy about you and that I love an extravagant party?” he asked. “Absolutely.” He let a beat pass and then said, “No acting required. For any of it.”

For a second she looked like she was going to confess something, but she just nodded and said, “You are so the extravagant party type.”

“I’m the extravagant everything type.”

12

“Now this is my kind of forking around,” Jane said, dragging the tines of her fork over her tongue slowly and thoroughly because of the way it made Dax’s eyes darken.

“We’re taking some of this pie home with us.”

“Please,” she said, letting her voice get husky.

They’d been eating dessert and teasing with frosting and sprinkles and whipped toppings for two hours, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever had more fun.

Kelsey and Jack seemed to be having a great time as well. They’d not only sampled desserts but had also done a couple of passes by the hors d’oeuvres tables and had checked out all the other booths, including the ones showing off honeymoon packages and tuxedo rentals and we-can-build-it-in-a-day gazebos.

“I want to suck this whipped cream off your nipples and lick this strawberry glaze off your clit.”

Jane’s eyes flew to Dax as she made a little gasping-choking sound. “Dax!”

He grinned. “No one can hear me.”

“But…” She felt a flush go through her. “Yeah, you should definitely do both of those things.”

She’d never been with a guy who was dirty and sexy and sweet and playful all at the same time.

She was completely addicted and almost giddy. Giddy. That was a word she’d never used to describe herself before. Of course, that was probably because she’d never felt giddy before. She wasn’t the giddy type.

She watched Dax lick whipped cream off of his index finger—slowly—catching her eye and giving her a wink.

She was definitely the giddy type now.

“And finally, we’re thrilled to announce our grand prize winners!”

There was a woman on the makeshift stage at the front of the largest building set up for the bridal fair. She was going through the winners of several door prizes, including a basketful of goodies from Buttered Up.

Jane had been past Zoe and Josie’s table a couple of times, and they always had a cluster of people in front of them, tasting their desserts and asking questions and placing orders.

Josie was thrilled. Zoe looked overwhelmed.

But she’d be okay. Aiden would talk her down, and they’d all pitch in to fill orders if needed. Jane was so happy for her friends and grateful to Aiden for coaxing Zoe out of her box to try new things.

“The couple’s weekend at Pine Grove Bed and Breakfast includes the Diamond Suite, a couple’s massage, tickets to the local production of Wicked, and gift baskets from The Sweet Spa, Rutherford Winery, and a shopping spree at Naughty and Nice Lingerie and Gifts,” the woman said excitedly.

“I think we should take some of the cupcakes from that place over by the other door too,” Dax said.

Jane nodded. “Yes. But we cannot tell Zoe.”

“Never,” he agreed. “We can take all the contraband back to my hotel room. Then there’s no risk of her even seeing a wrapper.”

Jane grinned up at him. “That’s pretty smooth.”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Making going back to your hotel room practical.”

“I’m just presenting facts,” he said with a shrug. “I’d hate to hurt Zoe’s feelings.”

“But you’d also hate to leave this pie and those cupcakes behind.”

“I would hate that so much,” he said with a nod. And a wicked grin.

“You know, this could seem kind of like a guy trying to lure kids into his unmarked white van with candy,” Jane teased. “You know if you dangle strawberry pie, I’ll do almost anything.”

“No,” he said. “I know if I dangle strawberry pie, you will do anything. No almost about it.”

She laughed. “You’re using my weakness against me?”

He took a big bite of the pie in question and grinned, unapologetic.

The truth was, he was her new weakness.

“Fine,” she said as if put upon. “I’ll go back to your hotel with you tonight.”

He swallowed. “We’re going to give a new meaning to orgasmic strawberry pie.”

“Do people refer to strawberry pie as orgasmic?” she asked.

“They should.”

“Dax Marshall and Jane Kemper!”

They both jerked at the sound of their names coming over the loudspeaker. They looked at one another then toward the stage.

“Oh my God!” Suddenly Kelsey came jogging toward them pushing Jack’s wheelchair. They were both grinning widely.

“What’s going on?” Jane asked.

They were toward the back of the crowd, away from the stage, and people were starting to turn.

“You won!” Kelsey laughed and then high-fived Jack. “You’re the grand prize winners!”

“We are?” Jane looked at Dax. “We didn’t do anything.”

“We s-signed you u-up,” Jack said,

Jane was frozen for a moment, just looking at her father. She hadn’t seen him smiling that big in far too long. He looked younger and healthier. Her heart tripped.

“We signed you guys up for a ton of stuff,” Kelsey said. “We went around to all the booths and got samples and entered all their draws with your names. Since you’re the bride and groom.” She winked at them.

“You condone this?” Jane asked Jack.

He just grinned.

“And hot damn, the grand prize!” Dax said. “That’s awesome. What did we win?”

“You didn’t hear any of it?” Kelsey asked. “It’s like this huge package with wine and massages and a free stay in a B and B.” She looked immensely proud of herself. “You’re welcome.”

“Wow, they just drew our names?” Jane asked. “That’s amazing. But… we’re not even really engaged. Are they going to throw us out when they find out?”

Jack shook his head. “D-don’t t-t-tell.”

Jane gave him a look. “Lie?”

“F-f-for fun. It’s free st-stuff.” Jack also looked proud of himself.