Read Online How Sweet It Is by Melissa Brayden - Free Book Online Page B

“You’re not saying anything. Why aren’t you saying anything? Be honest with me. I can take it.”
    He took another excruciating moment. “I’m just trying to figure out how to explain to you that this is probably the best piece of chocolate I’ve ever tasted.”
    The smile that slipped onto her face started slowly and took a minute to get going. “Really? You’re not just trying to be the supportive father, because I could handle it if you were. You can just admit you’re being supportive and then tell me if something’s missing or too overpowering or—”
    “Haven’t I always told it to you like it is?”
    He had. Always. She blinked. “Yes.”
    “And this is what it is. You’ve got something great here. I assume you’re going to roll these out at the shop?”
    “I’d like to. The plan is to have several different flavor varieties, but this one would be our signature.”
    “Smart girl. Have you thought of a name for them?”
    “I guess Molly’s Kickass Truffles might be a little much for our younger customers.”
    The twinkle in his eye was back. “I think it might. What about naming them after you? MollyDollys.”
    MollyDolly was the nickname her father had given her when she was little. She moved it around in her mind. “Maybe. You know, that could actually work. It’s cute and personal, and it would be a way to have my own stamp on them.”
    “True.”
    She smiled at him. “And they’d make me think of you.” A lump arrived in her throat as she reflected briefly on his failing health, not a concept she allowed herself to think about too much. Congestive heart failure was a terminal diagnosis. There was still time left, but the days weren’t exactly infinite and she felt them flittering away. He was the only parent she’d ever known, as her mother had passed from stage four leukemia when Molly was two and a half. The concept of life without him was a little more than she was willing to consider.
    His eyes warmed and he squeezed her hand, clearly picking up on the direction of her thoughts. “Don’t you go getting all misty on me. I’m a tough old guy, you know. Not getting rid of me any time soon.”
    She laughed and swallowed the lump. “I wouldn’t dare presume.”
    A nurse poked her head around the corner into his room. “Mr. O’Brien? A pizza was delivered for you.”
    He slapped his hands together. “And the day just got even better.”
     
    *
     
    That afternoon at Flour Child brought with it four orders for delivery and a last-minute order of chocolate chip cookies for the clinic to be held for pickup. Molly set the cookies out to cool as Eden packed up the last of the deliveries. For the first time in quite a while, they had their hands full, and Molly liked the adrenaline rush the time crunch brought with it.
    She lived for busy. It kept things interesting and gave the cash register a workout in the process. And right about now, dollar signs were her friends.
    Her delivery guy, Damon, strolled in casually and consulted the clipboard on the counter. He’d worked part-time for Molly for the past two years and had slowly become part of the Flour Child family. She enjoyed his easygoing rhythm and the rapport he seemed capable of establishing with the clients. So he wasn’t the fastest delivery guy on the planet, but many an old lady fell victim to his boyish good looks and placed an extra order or two, just so he’d deliver it. Not exactly bad for business.
    However, there was one woman immune to his charm and noticeable biceps, Eden. The two of them went together about as well as oil and water on their most compatible day. They were like Batman and the Joker. Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Madonna and Elton John.
    Damon leaned across the counter and peered at the stack of boxes. “So what do you got for me?”
    Eden glared at him. “That’s your greeting? ‘What do you got for me?’ Sugar, we’re busting our asses back here. How about leading with a good afternoon or