Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

“What’s this?”

I glance up from plating our dinner to see that Axel’s scrolling through my list of favorited shows.

“Second Bite? Really?” I ask. “You’ve never heard of it?”

I sprinkle a pile of parmesan cheese on top of our bowls of spaghetti and carry them to the couch.

It’s a little early for dinner, but we spent most of the day in bed – sleeping off our hangovers, cuddling, napping. It’s been one of the best days ever. And now we’re going to eat our weight in pasta before Axel leaves to go home.

“Never heard of it,” he confirms, clicking on the highlighted title.

“It’s so good! Elouise introduced me to it, her mom is obsessed, and now I am too. I seriously can’t believe you haven’t seen it.” Then I take the time to really think about, “Okay, never mind, I believe you.”

I hand Axel his serving – twice the size of my own – and settle in next to him.

“It’s a baking show. Or well, a baking competition show.” I smile as the intro starts. “Just give it an episode. If you don’t like it, we can watch something else. But you might surprise yourself.”

He shrugs and we dig in while we watch the challenges unfold.

Ten minutes later, Axel’s asking me questions.

Doesn’t this make you hungry? Do you know how to bake that? Are you sure you’re not just watching it for the judge? Who admittedly rivals Axel with his bad boy silver fox vibes.

I answer all his questions, some just more truthfully than others, and four hours later, I have a convert on my hands.

Parting ways seems to get harder every time we do it, but when he promises he’ll see me for lunch tomorrow, the slight twisting in my gut loosens.

I’m falling way too hard for this man and I have no intention of pulling back.