9

Hot Chocolate with a Sprinkling of Love

Disclaimers: all the usual

xoxoxoxoxo

Chapter 4

"Okay, which dress do you think I should wear tonight?" asked Lucy holding up three dresses. "The black…or the dark green…or this tan?" She held each dress against her so Sue could see the effect.

Sue looked at her friend critically. "I think you should wear the green. It looks more holidayish and you look great in it."

"You really think so?"

"I do."

Lucy looked at her reflection in the mirror and noticed her friend was absent-mindedly stroking one of her dresses. She turned, concern on her face.

"What's with you?"

Sue didn't answer. Her mind was on the previous evening. Even after she'd laid bed for a while, she couldn't sleep. All she could think about was Bobby. They had had a great time together. He made her feel… special.

A hand on her shoulder interrupted her thoughts.

"Sue? Are you all right?" Lucy asked worriedly.

"I'm…I'm fine," Sue answered. "I couldn't sleep last night."

"You want to talk about it?"

What was there to talk about? That a stranger she'd met less than twenty-four hours ago was occupying so much of her thoughts that she couldn't sleep? That he made her feel all cozy and warm and giddy all at the same time? Lucy wouldn't believe her. She was finding it hard to believe herself.

She shrugged. "It's nothing." She stood up. "Well, I better go. I have a cake to bake."

"Going somewhere?"

"A friend invited me to a party so I thought I'd make my special coffee cake."

"Mmm," said Lucy in appreciation. "If there're any leftovers, save a piece for me."

"Sure. Call me and tell me how it went."

"I will." She gave Sue a hug. "Thanks for coming over and helping me choose. I want to make a good impression."

"You will," Sue assured her. "Just be your usual charming self. After all, that's what got Myles interested in the first place."

"Thanks for the advice. I'll talk to you later."

xoxoxoxoxo

Sue took one last look at her image in the mirror. Not sure how to dress, she'd chosen a cowl-necked long sleeve red top with a dark plaid skirt. She hoped she looked all right. Bobby should be at the door any minute. She'd just buzzed him up. She picked up her coat and purse and left both on the sofa back. The lights blinked. Perfect timing.

"Hi!" greeted Sue opening the door for Bobby.

"Hi," he smiled.

"Want to come in for a minute?" she invited.

"Sure." He stepped in and looked around. "Nice place," he commented. "It looks like you."

"Thanks."

She picked up the covered plate on the sideboard and thrust it into Bobby's hands.

"What's this?" He was about to lift a corner of the covering to take a peek when Sue lightly slapped his hand.

"What was that for?" he asked in surprise.

"No peeking," she admonished him. "I made a coffee cake. I couldn't go to your friends' party empty-handed."

"You didn't have to."

"I wanted to."

"You're beautiful, you're smart and you can cook," he announced. "The perfect woman."

"Well, I don't know about perfect," said Sue as she put on her coat, "but this woman is ready to go. Shall we?"

When Sue locked the door, Bobby reached for her hand.

"There's no one here, Bobby," she told him. The hallway was deserted.

"I'm not taking any chances," he declared.

xoxoxoxoxo

"Fabulous party as usual," Bobby remarked to Tara as he ladled some punch into cups. Sue was busy talking to D and his wife, Donna, while Bobby brought her something to drink.

"I like your friend," she confided. "She's nice. How'd you meet?"

"Over a cup of hot chocolate," Bobby smiled.

She looked at him in contemplation. "Interesting. I'd like to hear the whole story one day."

"That is the whole story, Tara," said Bobby. "We met over a cup of hot chocolate. Upon further conversation, it turns out we both work in the same building but on different floors."

"You're kidding!" she replied in astonishment.

"You can ask her yourself."

He walked over to his date. "Here you are, Sue," he said handing her a cup. "Tara here doesn't believe we work in the same building."

"I was pretty surprised myself," admitted Sue.

"I don't think I know anyone on any other floor besides ours," remarked D. "That's kind of a sad commentary on how we've compartmentalized our lives. You know, until you mentioned it, I didn't even know there was a publishing company in the building."

"Well, we're not that well-known outside the children's market," Sue responded. "You're welcome to come down and take a look any time."

"I just might do that."

"I did yesterday and there are a lot of similarities to what we do," commented Bobby. "In fact, I saw some artwork yesterday that we might be able to use in one of our proposals."

"There you go," said Donna. "You just need to get out of your box, or in this case, your floor to get some ideas."

"Publishing company…children's publishing company," muttered Tara.

"What are you mumbling about?" asked D.

"Is there a Lucy Dotson working at your company?" Tara inquired.

"Our office manager," Sue replied. "Do you know her?"

There was a triumphant smile on Tara's face. "She's a good friend. Or she used to be. Once Lisa came, it was hard to stay in touch. Could you tell her…" She was distracted from continuing. "I see Jack signaling me. Excuse me." She hurried over to join her husband.

"Family and friends," announced Jack as soon as Tara and Lisa were by his side. A broad smile was on his face. "Thank you for coming to the annual Hudson Christmas party."

"Thanks for having us!" called out Bobby.

"It's our pleasure," Jack answered back. "We feel it wouldn't be Christmas unless we shared it with the people we care about. And this year, we are especially pleased to tell you that next year," he beamed at Tara and Lisa, "there'll be another Hudson to help us celebrate the holidays."

"What?" "When?" "Why didn't you say anything?" "Congratulations!" All floated in the air as the party-goers surrounded the beaming couple.

Sue hung back not wanting to intrude since she was the outsider here. She noticed the Hudson daughter drifted to the side looking a little forlorn and decided to approach her.

"Congratulations, Lisa," she said softly. "You're going to be a big sister."

"I know," Lisa answered. "Mommy and Daddy told me."

"Aren't you happy?"

"I guess so." A slight frown creased the little girl's forehead.

"You look worried about something. Can I help?" Sue asked.

"When the new baby comes, who do you think Mommy and Daddy will love more?"

"Oh, sweetheart!" Sue answered immediately as she knelt down. She put her hands on Lisa's shoulders. "Just because there's going to be a new baby doesn't mean your Mommy and Daddy will love you less. You'll always have a special place in their hearts because you're their first baby and that makes you very special to them."

"Really?"

"Really," Sue solemnly promised. "And there will be another special place just for the new baby right next to yours."

There was a moment of silence as the little girl digested the information.

"Will I like being a big sister?"

"You'll love it! You can help your Mommy decide what clothes the baby gets to wear, sing your favorite songs and teach the baby all kinds of things," Sue pointed out. "I know you're going to be a big help."

Another frown appeared.

"What?"

"Do I have to change diapers? I don't think I wanna do that."

Sue laughed. "I don't think you have to worry about that."

Lisa threw her arms around Sue's neck and gave her a hug. "I like you."

"I like you, too," she said returning the hug. She stood up and turned to find Bobby right behind her.

"Oh!"

Lisa saw him at the same time. "Uncle Bobby, I like her," she announced as she stood in front of him.

He scooped her up in his arms. "I like her, too." He kissed the little girl on the cheek. "Your Mum's looking for you."

"Okay," answered Lisa wiggling out of Bobby's arms.

He took a step closer to Sue. "That," he said deliberately, "was very sweet of you."

"I think she just wanted to know where she'll fit in once the baby comes," Sue replied. "As long as she knows she's loved, I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Jack and Tara will make sure of that," he promised. His eyes continued to hold hers. He forgot they were in a roomful of people. He forgot to breathe. All he could think about was Sue and how her soft lips would feel on his.

Unconsciously, Sue moved closer to Bobby and raised her lips to his. For a few seconds, everything ceased to exist. The kiss was sweet with the promise of something more.

A cough interrupted their private moment as Bobby turned his head in the direction of the sound. Sue followed. "It's customary to kiss under the mistletoe," D's voice broke in. "You're a little off," he said pointing in the direction of the doorway.

Bobby and Sue looked at each other with embarrassed smiles. He discreetly reached for her hand. "Thanks for the tip," he said as he tugged Sue along towards Jack and Tara.

Sue followed trying to calm her racing heart. What was happening here? How could one day and one kiss make her feel so different?

"No wonder you've been glowing all evening!" Bobby exclaimed to Tara when he finally reached his friends. He leaned down to kiss her cheek "When did you find out?"

"Last week," said Tara. "We decided to wait until the party to make the announcement."

"Congratulations," smiled Sue. "That's wonderful news."

"The best Christmas present ever," grinned Jack carrying Lisa in his arms. "I feel very blessed—a beautiful wife," he kissed Tara, "and the best daughter a man could ever want." He kissed Lisa. He took a step forward and kissed Sue on the cheek, too.

"What was that for?" asked Sue in surprise,

"That's for reassuring Lisa that we still love her," replied Jack. "She told us what you said to her."

"She's been a little worried since we told her the news about the baby," explained Tara. "You managed to convince her she'll always be special to us."

"I'm glad."

Donna approached the little group. "The desserts are out. What would you like, young lady?" she asked Lisa.

Lisa looked at her mother. "No chocolate," Tara warned.

"Okay. Put me down, Daddy. I'm going with Auntie Donna."

"I'm wounded," commented Jack as he watched his daughter happily go off to choose her dessert. "She prefers dessert to her Daddy."

"Be glad it's only dessert," declared Bobby putting his hand on his friend's shoulder, "There'll come a day when she'll prefer a boy over you."

Jack made a face. "I hope that day is in the very far, very distant future."

xoxoxoxoxo

"Wonderful party," said Bobby kissing Tara on the cheek as they were ready to leave.

"I had a good time," Sue smiled. "And congratulations again."

"We loved having you," Tara said warmly. "Please come again."

"Yeah, please do," echoed Jack as he joined them. He looked at Tara answering the question in her eyes. "She's asleep."

"And you, my friend" said Bobby, "make sure you take good care of your wife."

"I always do." Jack put his arm around Tara's shoulders and squeezed.

"Um, Bobby?" interjected Tara.

"Yea?"

She pointed above his head.

Bobby's eyes and Sue's followed—mistletoe!

"Well?" urged Tara.

Bobby's eyes twinkled as he looked at Sue. "Shall we do it the proper way this time?" he teased.

Memory of the last kiss still curled her toes. "Under the mistletoe?"

Taking that as a yes, Bobby gently cupped Sue's face and kissed her.

Tara and Jack's eyes opened wide as the kiss continued.

"Was that properly done?" asked Bobby when they broke the kiss.

"I think so," answered Sue breathlessly.

"A-hem," coughed Jack.

Bobby and Sue turned—they'd forgotten about their audience.

"Always a nice way to end an evening," Tara chirped brightly.

"I couldn't agree more," smiled Bobby looking at Sue.

A flurry of good nights and the couple left. Jack and Tara stood there watching their last guests depart. Tara leaned against Jack.

"Did they really just meet yesterday?" asked Tara.

"Yup."

"Over a cup of hot chocolate?"

"According to Bobby."

"He likes her."

"I think," said Jack as he moved to close the door, "it's a little more than like."

"But they just met!"

"Sometimes, it doesn't take long at all."

Tara gazed at her husband fondly. "You've been reading my Harlequin Romance books again, haven't you?"

His arms circled her waist. "Where else do you think I've been getting my ideas for those romantic evenings for two?" As she giggled, he kissed her on the forehead. "C'mon, let's go to bed."

xoxoxoxoxo

As she sat in the car, Sue nervously glanced at Bobby. Two kisses…two kisses that made her forget about everyone and everything. Was she…how could she…was it possible she was falling in love with a man she'd just met yesterday?

Unconsciously she shook her head. Common sense told her it wasn't possible but her heart was telling her something very different.

Bobby discreetly glanced at Sue. If anyone had told him he'd fall head over heels in love in the space of a day, he'd have hooted that person as a hopeless romantic. But here he was, totally smitten with the woman beside him and it all happened over a cup of hot chocolate.

He pulled up outside her apartment building and quickly reached the passenger side to open her door.

"Thanks for inviting me," Sue said when she got out of the car. "I had a nice time."

"So did I." Especially those two kisses, he thought. He wondered what she'd say if he kissed her again.

Sue spotted the gleam in Bobby's eyes and her heart started beating faster. "Um…I…I better go. It's late," she said breathlessly stepping away from him. She knew if stayed any longer, she wouldn't be responsible for her actions. "Good-night, Bobby."

He watched her mount the few steps to her building and push open the door when he suddenly remembered she didn't have his address for tomorrow. He hurried up the steps only to see her disappear into the elevator.

Frowning, he stood hands on hips deciding what to do when his eyes fell on the intercom. He'd just call her, how simple. He waited a reasonable amount of time for Sue to reach her place before he punched in the apartment number.

Four rings…five rings….six rings. No one answered. What to do? Slowly he returned to his car his mind on the problem. He wasn't about to give up his chance to be with Sue.

xoxoxoxoxo