Cupid's Cupcake Read Online Free PDF Page B

had a temper.
    Trying to forget the last thirty minutes, Brian returned to his story. A quick read through satisfied him that he was on the right track. He looked at the cupcake again. Feeling silly, he reached over and pulled the plate toward him. He studied it. It looked like an utterly innocent, normal cupcake.
    His fork encountered barely any resistance as it slid down the middle of it and he scooped out a small bite. The inside had the color of a red velvet cake, but he remembered Belle saying something about a chocolate infusion as part of her modifications. Pushing any other thoughts away, he took the bite into his mouth.
    Chocolate, raspberry, and another citrusy taste that he couldn’t quite place exploded in his mouth. Combined with the light and airy buttercream icing, it was like a bite of pure sugary bliss. His eyes widened as his taste buds further processed the rich texture and the flavors deepened. It was the most delicious bite of dessert he could ever remember having in his life.
    He put down his fork, even though every part of his body screamed for more. He pushed the plate away. That bite was all he needed to finish the story. But n ow he had even more questions.
    Brian decided that he would need to speak to Belle Rivers again.
     
     
    Three weeks flew by in the blink of an eye, and then Belle found herself on the eve of Valentine’s Day staring at the largest stack of orders that she had ever seen. Since Brian Draper’s article ran the week before, Belle’s email box blew up, and her phone hadn’t stopped ringing with people asking how they could get their hands on the Cupid’s Cupcake for Valentine’s Day.
    For once, Belle followed one of Tiffany’s lists to the letter. She had a basic website set-up that included an order form. She capped the number of cupcakes that she would offer and put a limit on the number of cupcakes that could be ordered. She arranged all the shipping and delivery details so that the cupcakes would arrive on time. It was a good thing she did because she sold out in less than twenty-four hours, and had a waiting list already for next Valentine’s Day that was growing by the minute.
    “Can you believe this?” Belle said as she looked around Tiffany’s kitchen in chagrin. The place was a total disaster, a far cry from her friend’s usual perfectly ordered room. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this here next year.”
    “That’s why you’ll have your very own store next year, with your very own kitchen , and your very own space,” Tiffany said.
    Belle picked up on the undercurrent of her friend’s words and went over to her and gave her a hug. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you letting me borrow your kitchen?”
    “ Belle! You’re getting flour all over me,” Tiffany said, pushing her away. But Belle saw the small grin of pleasure on Tiffany’s face.
    The doorbell ringing barely registered in her mind . Belle surveyed the room calculating everything that still needed to be done in the next few hours to ensure that every cupcake made it out the door and on its way safely to its final destination. So Belle’s mouth dropped open when she found herself looking up into Brian Draper’s blue eyes a few moments later.
    “Hey,” she said.
    “Bet you’re surprised to see me,” he said. He held up Tiffany’s plate. “I told you that I’d return it.”
    “You didn’t come all this way to return a plate,” Belle said. She was still trying to process how Brian was there. After the abrupt end to her interview, she was sure that the article he would write would be less than positive. So when it was published, and it was positively glowing, no one had been more surprised than Belle.
    “Maybe I’m looking to do a follow-up story. It looks like your operation is busting at the seams here.” He looked over her shoulder and Belle wanted to sink through the floor. She was certain that more than half of her body was covered in flour, and her