Page 81 of When Love Takes Over
“I’m happy to be under the tutelage of such a knowledgeable and skilled man. I’m truly living a dream.”
“I was blessed enough to witness how much joy my father found in baking. When I was growing up, I loved spending time with him in the kitchen because we talked about everything. He gave me advice about girls, school, sports, and anything else I wanted to talk about. I wish I shared his excitement about baking, but it wasn’t there. Don’t get me wrong, though; I can make a mean pound cake and a few other desserts, but the passion for it wasn’t in me.”
“Some things people are born with, and you weren’t born with a passion for baking. I’m sure he understood.”
“He did, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t disappointed. On the other hand, I was a natural when it came to the business side of things. I spent just as much time with my mother learning how to keep the money flowing.”
“I love that. Both aspects of the business are equally important.”
“Indeed, they are. When Kenzo was born, my father was hopeful he’d inherited his culinary skills, but as you probably know, he was more like me. My father has been genuinely concerned about the future of the business he built from the ground up. He’s been worried about maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the desserts sold under his company’s name. He’s personally trained every pastry chef we’ve hired, and up until a few years ago, he would do random pop-ups at our locations to make sure the desserts were up to standard.”
“Wow. That’s impressive. Thank you for sharing.”
“I had to share because he was losing hope until you came along. I want to thank you for putting that light back in his eyes.”
“As I said before, it’s an honor. I appreciate you sharing with me. Thank you for accepting me into your family.”
“Uh-oh. There’s the elephant I wanted to avoid.”
We laughed.
“Your wife hasn’t been nearly as welcoming as you and your father. It’s okay, though. I just hope she’s prepared to get the same energy she gives.”
“Dinah is a firecracker, and that’s the only way to handle her. Respect is important, but I don’t expect you to allow her to be disrespectful and not give it back.”
“My intention is to always be respectful, but it has to be mutual. I understand she doesn’t like me for her son, but I’m who he chose, I’m his wife, and if this lasts, I’ll be the mother of her grandchildren. I’d love for us to get along, but I haven’t talked to my own mother in over six years, so I wouldn’t lose any sleep over not talking to my mother-in-law. I guarantee you, Mr. Goode, no love would be lost.”
He chuckled. “You’ll be just fine. Well, that’s my workout. It was good talking to you.”
“You too.”
“Someone just called me Mrs. Goode, and I started looking around for your mother,” I told Kenzo when I entered his office.
After my workout, I was bored, so I decided to surprise Kenzo. I figured if he was busy, I could stop by and see Anika. Plus, any opportunity I had to drive my new car, I’d take it.
“I guess word has gotten around,” he responded when he looked up from the paperwork on his desk.
We didn’t make an official announcement about our relationship, but we also weren’t trying to keep it a secret. All it took was one person to know before it spread like wildfire through the building.
“I guess so. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“You’re never an interruption, baby. Now bring your pretty ass over here and show your husband some love.”
I smacked my lips as I headed in his direction. Like always, he pulled me onto his lap, and I draped my arms over his shoulders.
“You love throwing that husband word around, don’t you?”
“What would you rather me say? Friend with benefits?”
“I mean, isn’t that?—”
He cut me off with a kiss that I melted into.
“I’m your husband, you’re my wife, and that’s all there is to it. The fact that I had to give you a hundred grand and agree to pay your tuition to get you to marry me has nothing to do with it.”
“Geesh. That sounds so transactional when you put it that way.”
He shrugged. “It’s facts, but that doesn’t mean we are any less married than the next couple. What brings you by? You missed me?”
