Obsession (The Plus One Chronicles) by Jennifer Lyon Read Free Book Online

imperfect woman framed by all those perfect, sweet creations. “But I think the best part of me woke up in the hospital and realized that this is my life. The only one I get. And I’m going to live it my way.” A slight pause, as the music crested in the background and the camera shot tightened on her face. “My name is Kat Thayne. This is my story about how I rebuilt my shattered life and created Sugar Dancer Bakery.”
    Sloane remained transfixed as the shots changed, showing one of Kat in the hospital. He winced at the brief but effective image even though he’d seen it only a few minutes earlier. There were two more quick pictures of her struggling to walk on crutches and then with a cane, clear proof of her progress. The rest of the pictures or video clips were of Kat with her desserts and customers, all full of smiles. In those shots, Kat’s passion and joy shined.
    At the end of the video, Kat summed it up.
    “Dancing was my grandmother’s passion, and she taught me to dance from the time I could walk. While I was in the hospital, I remember her holding my hand and whispering over and over, “You’ll dance again, Katie. You’ll feel the music.”
    Kat’s smile flowed into something so powerfully poignant, Sloane couldn’t quite breathe.
    “She was right. Every day here at Sugar Dancer, I feel the music as I do what I love, baking special creations to share with people celebrating their best moments: weddings, birthdays, graduations, etc. I get to share in their joy. Some people dance with their legs, I dance with sugar.”
    The video pulled out and ended. All Sloane could hear was the hum of the laptop and the pounding in his ears.
    “Was I right? Told you to trust me.” Ana peered at Kat.
    Kat took a deep breath, her shoulders expanding against his rib cage. The moment kept stretching.
    Ana bounced on her chair in growing agitation. “You hate it.”
    “All I’m going to say…” Kat seemed to have trouble dragging her gaze from the screen. Finally, she angled her head toward Ana. “…is I hope my firstborn isn’t a boy. Because that would be totally embarrassing.”
    The younger woman’s face blanked, then morphed into laughter. “You scared me.”
    “That’s fair, because I think you might have exposed a piece of my soul on that video. I’m not sure I’m ready for that, even though I think it turned out great.”
    Sloane leaned down, wrapping his arms around Kat, holding her against him. “If that video came across my desk, I’d have you on the phone trying to sign you before the music ended. You’re not exposed, Kat. You’re real and owning who you are—a very talented, pretty, sexy and imperfect woman who loves to bake.”
    Her smile carved through the doubt on her face, beaming her happiness.
    For years she’d hidden, both behind her scars and in her bakery. But in that video, she revealed herself as a strong woman with vulnerabilities. “It rocked me.” He shifted to Ana. “Excellent work. You captured Kat’s struggles and triumphs, and showed her as the face of Sugar Dancer—the woman who dances with sugar instead of her legs.” Returning his gaze to Kat, he said, “That last line will bring people in to see what you can do with sugar.”
    Ana flushed, her eyes sparking behind her glasses. “Thanks.”
    “Kat says you have a marketing plan for her.”
    “I do. Complete with pitch lines. The trailer is good too.” She set it up and hit play.
    This trailer was less than sixty seconds, hitting the high points of Sugar Dancer and Kat. Fast-paced and punchy, it was good.
    Kat grinned. “I like it.”
    Sloane couldn’t contain his growing excitement. “It works, but that bio package is gold. I think we should look over Ana’s plan, then you give her the go-ahead to submit the packages to the baking shows. My only request is that you have security with you at all times.” Kat’s safety came first, but he knew how much she wanted to grow Sugar Dancer into a