“What?” The word barely left her mouth when he wrapped one arm around her back, pulled her against him, and sealed his lips over hers.

All her worries and anxieties fled in the wake of his kiss. He devoured her with his mouth, licking, tasting, owning, and possessing, before letting her up for air.

“Better than breakfast,” he said, setting her on her feet but holding on until she’d caught her breath.

She blinked, still somewhat dazed.

“Just needed a taste,” he explained, gesturing toward the door. “Ready?”

She managed a nod. He picked up a birthday present off the counter, and off they went.

Much later, after she’d loaded her van, to Jason’s complaining about how it was an old piece of shit and he wished she drove something safer, they arrived at his cousin Gabe and Izzy’s apartment. It took them three trips to carefully carry everything upstairs. Kelsey was running the shop, so Jason helped, this time listening to her grumbling about how it was her job and she could do it herself.

They’d arrived with the last of her goodies when Izzy greeted them at the door, kissing Jason on the cheek and pulling Faith inside. “Come. Let’s set up so we can have fun.”

Izzy’s warm nature and constant laughter were contagious. As they readied the small wood boxes with s’mores pops inside on the table set aside by the front door so guests could take their gift when they left, Izzy touched a box and sighed. “I just love these.”

“I picked up light blue ones so it fit a boy’s party,” Faith explained.

“Thank you. They look so enticing sitting here. So? Aren’t you going to leave your business cards, too? I’m sure you want people to hire you for similar parties.”

Faith bit the inside of her cheek. “Of course I do but I didn’t want to take advantage. I assumed if you were happy, you would spread the word.”

Izzy grinned. “You bet I will. But leave your cards, too.” She nudged her gently with her elbow, so Faith dug through her purse and fanned her Sweet Treats cards out on the table beside the party favors.

With a satisfied nod, Izzy led Faith back into the main area of the apartment. “Everyone will be here soon. I have to confess I went a little overboard. There are caterers in the kitchen. But at this age, the kids still come with their parents and I wanted everyone to have good food.”

Faith liked the bubbly blonde. She glanced across the room to where Jason stood talking with a tall man with sable hair and dark blue eyes. He had a dominating presence, commanding the room.

“That’s my husband, Gabe,” Izzy said, following Faith’s line of sight. “Come meet him.” She took Faith’s hand and pulled her across the floor to where the men stood.

After introductions were made, Jason took her off guard by wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against him. “Gabe recommended the private investigator who’s looking into your brother,” he said quietly.