“He’s thirty-eight years old and still single. I can’t believe someone hasn’t snapped him up and marched him down the aisle.”
“Maybe he decided not to date anyone after his engagement ended. I can’t say I blame him.”
Megan took the glass cleaner and cloth out of Cassie’s hand and wiped the counter. “Neither can I. But that was a few years ago. He needs to expand his social circle and date a jeweler from Sapphire Bay.”
Cassie burst out laughing. “Noah lives in Manhattan. He works long hours and is more interested in acquiring new products for his company than dating. The chance of anything happening between us is practically zilch.”
“Do you want something to happen between you?”
“I’m not sure.” Last night, Cassie had tossed and turned, wondering the same thing. She was attracted to Noah. He had a great sense of humor. He cared about his company and was determined to make it a success. But above everything else, he seemed like a genuinely nice person.
Megan squirted glass cleaner on the display case. “He’s staying here for the full two weeks, even though you won’t accept the award. That must tell you something.”
Cassie smiled. “The only thing it tells me is that he desperately needs a vacation.”
Megan stopped cleaning. “Do you want me to ask William if he can investigate our New York executive?”
“He can’t do that,” Cassie spluttered. “William works for the FBI. If he uses their databases to screen potential boyfriends for me, he’ll get fired.”
Megan pulled back her shoulders. “You’re right. There’s only one thing we can do.” She handed Cassie the glass cleaner. “I’m going to bake Noah a cake and we’ll take it to him. If he doesn't answer our questions about why he’s single, we’ll know he’s a phony.”
“There’s only one problem with your idea. Noah values his privacy as much as I do. Even your triple layer chocolate cake won’t make him talk.”
“It worked with William.”
“But he was already in love with you. He just didn’t know it.”
Megan glanced at her watch. “Maybe that’s Noah’s problem, too. If I’m going to add another cake to today’s baking list, I’ll need to get back to work. Let me know if Noah comes to see you.”
Cassie sighed. “You’ve been married for a few months now. I thought it was supposed to be a calming influence on a person’s life?”
“I don’t know where you heard that.” Megan opened the front door and smiled at a person walking along the sidewalk. “Remember to lock the door behind me. I’ll give you a call once the cake is ready.”
Before she could remind Megan about their meeting with Pastor John, her friend dashed next door to the candy shop.
Cassie looked at the cuckoo clock on the wall and rushed into her workroom. One of her customers would be arriving soon to collect a necklace for his wife’s birthday. If Cassie didn’t gift wrap it now, she wouldn’t have time once the store opened.
Thinking about Noah Devlin, his sexy brown eyes, and his boyish charm would have to wait—at least until Megan’s cake was ready.
“I can’t believehow many items have been donated for the auction.” Pastor John looked around the meeting room in awe. “You’ve done a wonderful job.”
Boxes and baskets in all shapes and sizes filled every available space.
Cassie smiled at her friends. None of this would have been possible without everyone doing their best to make the auction a success. “We sold the last auction ticket this afternoon. This could be one of the biggest fundraisers Sapphire Bay has ever seen.”
“Everyone has been so supportive,” Brooke said. “Especially Mabel. The community Facebook page is full of pictures of items that will be auctioned. She even organized a countdown for ticket sales.”
Sam turned her laptop around. “Look at this. Her latest post has more than two thousand likes. A lot of people are supporting us, even if they don’t live in Sapphire Bay.”
Brooke stared at the figures. “I should ask her if she wants to do some publicity for Sweet Treats.”
A soft knock made everyone turn toward the door.
Noah?
Cassie looked at Megan, wondering if she’d invited him to the church. But she looked just as surprised as everyone else.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
