“That’s what you always say,” he rolls his eyes, but I see his smirk as he takes a sip of his own coffee. I get lost in my thoughts about how this could be something we do every morning. If Dylan brings the subject up again, I’m going to leap, and move in with Dylan and Johnny. They both are so ingrained in my heart, I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
I finish eating and take my plate to the sink, rinsing it off, and then go right back to where I need to be most, in Dylan’s arms.
“I’ll see you soon. I can’t wait to see Johnny all dressed up, and to answer your question, I’d love to see you guys early. Come whenever you want. I have plenty of things Johnny can help me with while he’s there.”
“You mean you have plenty of snacks for him to decorate and bring home?” he questions.
“I can’t help it. He melts my heart, Johnny gets so excited when he comes into the bakery.”
“I know it’s one of the many things I love about you,” Dylan responds, as he grasps my neck, his thumb going to my pulse point. A place he loves to touch every chance he gets.
His head dips down and he’s giving me a mouthwatering kiss, one that leaves me wanting more.
“See you soon, honey,” he says, with huskiness in his voice and if I don’t leave right now, I never will.
“I can’t wait,” I take off for the front door with a smile on my face.
21
Dylan
“Why didn’t you wake me up, Daddy? I wanted to have breakfast with her,” Johnny says, before I even get a good morning. He came in the kitchen and saw her mug on the counter and her purse missing by the front door.
He commenced pouting right away. I gather him up in my arms, his bear in one arm and his blanket over his shoulder, like a cape.
“Buddy, I didn’t want to wake you up, because we’re going to be up pretty late. Plus, Ms. Candy asked if you could come to her shop and help her before we trick or treat.” I try to appease him. I see it’s not really working.
“But, Daddy, I miss her.” He’s stuck on wanting to see his Ms. Candy.
“Okay, why don’t we see if we can FaceTime her, but if she’s busy we have to understand. She’s working, okay?”
“Okay, can I make the call?” he asks with excitement now. I’m silently praying Candy can answer the phone. I know how my boy feels, I don’t like to be without Candy either.
“Here you go,” I hand him my phone and come to sit down next to him. We’re by the front door. Johnny plopped down looking at the front door when he realized Candy wasn’t here.
The phone rings and then I hear the noise where it connects. I look down at my boy and he’s all smiles.
“Good morning, Johnny, what are you and Daddy up to?”
“Morning, Ms. Candy. Daddy said I could call you since I didn’t get to see you. I miss you,” my son tells Candy.
“I miss you, too, Johnny. I promise I’ll be there tomorrow morning when you wake up. We can even let Daddy sleep in and make crepes for breakfast.” She’s smiling, and I can’t wait to make this woman my wife.
Yeah, I think to myself. As soon as she moves in, a ring is going on her finger, and I hope it’s sooner than fucking later.
“Really, I can’t wait! Do you think it’s too early to get into my transformer costume?” he asks Candy.
“I don’t think so, but you might want to ask your dad just in case he has other plans first. I have to go back to work Johnny, but you can call me anytime. I promise I’ll answer. Love you, bud,” she blows him a kiss and Johnny replies, “Love you, my Ms. Candy.”
I look at her through the phone and can see her eyes are glistening, and I know she’s as affected as I am by his statement.
“See you soon,” I tell her.
“I can’t wait.” Then, she hangs up and I get my boy gathered up. There are a few things we need to do and then I know we’ll be heading to Sweet As Candy to get our Halloween started.
22
Candy
“I think today was a success, what do you think?” I ask Kelly. I’m finishing a few things up and waiting on my guys to come back to the shop.
“It was amazing and putting the free cake pop coupons with their candy, that was genius! I bet we’re slammed through the Holidays for sure,” she exclaims.
“I have a feeling we will be too. Are you going to be able to take on more hours? I know school is important to you, so please know if you can’t, we can bring another member in,” I ask her. I understand how much school means to others first and foremost.