The Sweetest Kiss. Candace Shaw

think it may get serious?” Tiffani wasn’t one of those sisters to nag her big brother about settling down, but he had always talked about having a wife and family one day. However, he wasn’t dating women he would consider marrying.

      “Nah...she’s cool, though. And I haven’t forgotten our conversation, sis.” Preston’s expression and tone turned serious.

      “What are you talking about?” she asked as if she had no clue.

      “The cologne you’re wearing.”

      “I’m not wearing cologne. It’s from a perfume sample I was given at the mall and it’s just strong. I’m definitely not going to buy it. You know I prefer light sweet fragrances, and this one is just entirely too much for my pheromones. It only smells good in the bottle.”

      Tiffani hated lying to Preston, but she knew how overprotective he was when it came to her dating life. Plus, she wasn’t ready to discuss Broderick with him or anyone else for that matter.

      Preston raised an eyebrow followed by a snicker at her long, drawn-out answer.

      “Okay, you don’t have to talk about it. I just want you happy,” he said sincerely, kissing her forehead.

      She interlocked her arm with his and stared up at her brother as they strolled behind KJ and their father. “Trust me, I am.”

       Chapter 4

      Broderick tried to read over Supreme Construction’s financial information in the back of his Bentley, but he couldn’t concentrate on business. He was on his way to have lunch with Tiffani. They’d been having a friendly courtship for over a week, chatting on the phone and him stopping by to see her using the excuse of buying Danishes or a slice of cheesecake. No more sweet kisses, but he’d noticed a glimmer in her eyes whenever he entered the shop. They’d mostly discuss their daily lives and long-term plans. She loved talking about her son and all of his accomplishments in school as well as his karate tournaments. She hadn’t mentioned much about her marriage. He had decided not to pry, fearing the subject may upset her. He assumed a part of her missed her late husband and still grieved.

      After grabbing a few sandwiches and salads from a deli in the same shopping plaza, he entered the bakery, which was half full of customers. He spotted Kendall at the cash register but didn’t see Tiffani. He figured she was in her office.

      “Hey, Kendall. Where’s your boss?” he asked in an upbeat tone.

      She shook her head as a grim expression formed on her face. Once a lady she was assisting left, Kendall leaned over the counter and whispered, “You really don’t want to see her right now.”

      “Why not?” he asked. Tiffani was always in a great mood.

      “Um...she’s mad... No...angry.”

      He wrinkled his brow. “Where is she?”

      “In her office. Enter at your own risk.”

      He walked through the kitchen where Tiffani’s other employee and assistant baker, Mindy, was making cheesecakes and knocked lightly on the office door. He didn’t know what could be wrong. He’d spoken to her that morning before she’d headed into a meeting and she’d been her usual chipper self.