Sugar Rush by Rachel Astor Read Free Book Online Page A

his last comment over in his mind and realized how awful it sounded. His eyes widened.
    “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant it must be hard…”
    Yeah, that’s better , he scolded himself.
    “Oh, sure,” she said, a surprise smirk spreading across her lips. “And what about the Raspberry Truffle of yours? How very original.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, standing her ground, her eyes challenging.
    Nick thanked the Universe she was still talking to him. The electricity pulsing between them was a living thing, his adrenaline soaring with each exchange. Sure, they were both acting like they hated each other, but something else, something stronger, simmered below the surface.
    “It won first place!” he said.
    She shrugged. “Still wasn’t very original.”
    Was it his imagination, or were her eyes sparkling? Was she enjoying this?
    He tested the waters, clearing his throat. “What did yours come in? Oh, right,” he said. “It didn’t.” He shook his head, but he was grinning.
    She pulled her shoulders back. “Whatever,” she said. “You won’t be coming in first this year.” She flicked a phantom piece of lint off her shirt.
    Nick had met his match. If his thoughts wandering to Dulcie when he daydreamed weren’t enough, this exchange had pushed him over the edge. She was so feisty, so determined.
    “Oh, we’re going to win again,” he said. “In fact, you should enter something ridiculous just so you can watch me hold the trophy.”
    …
     
    Nick’s eyes danced. He was enjoying this, Dulcie realized.
    She hated that she was, too, just a little. Even more, she hated that he knew about the watermelon catastrophe and that she just couldn’t bring herself to let it go without doing something stupid. “Don’t worry, I’m going to enter,” she said, raising one eyebrow. “And I can guarantee it won’t be you hoisting the trophy.”
    Prickles squirmed up her back almost immediately at the thought of being there again, standing under those lights with everyone staring. It was like the humiliation had happened yesterday.
    “I guess we’ll have to see,” Nick said, unable to completely mask his grin anymore.
    Dulcie felt her defenses melting. The air changed direction and the lemon scent wafted toward her again, along with something else. Clean crispness, like a day at the beach sipping lemonade. She resisted the urge to close her eyes and breathe Nick in. “Really?” he said, plastering on a smirk of his own. “It’s on, then,” he said, holding out his hand.
    “Oh, it’s on,” she said, taking his hand and shaking once.
    She could have held on to his hand forever, but all too soon, he let go. Which wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t held on just a moment too long after he’d opened his hand.
    Her face burned as she watched him walk away, reminding herself he was the enemy.

     
    The next day, all hands were on deck for candy-making time and Dulcie was more determined than ever.
    The store had closed early on Sunday as usual. Ava and Constance, who had both said they wouldn’t miss it, were there, plus Lila, who was an easy bribe with a promise of all the candy she wanted. Even though Dulcie feared they’d have a Lila explosion to clean up by the end of the day.
    Well, that and they’d never find the perfect chocolate for the contest.
    She was already beginning to regret the little incident with Nick at the market, but in the heat of the moment, she hadn’t been able to stop her mouth from digging her into a hole. And she would not give him any satisfaction by backing out now.
    She took a deep breath and placed the Spell Book of Sweets reverently on one of the large tables in the kitchen. “Come on, baby,” she whispered, “work your magic.”
    As a kid, Dulcie believed the Spell Book did have a little magic inside, and, if honest, she supposed she still did. It had the power to make people come together, to put a smile on their faces, to help them