Designed by Love by Mary Manners Page A

devoured the cookie. “I think they’re about where we were a year or so ago.”
    “That would be right.” Ryne planted a kiss on the crown of Kaci’s head. “They have no idea what’s coming, do they?”
    “No, they don’t. And, I think that’s our cue to go.”
    Ryne’s lips curved into a grin as he nodded at Dylan. “Thanks for putting the playlist together. It’s going to be amazing. We really appreciate all you’ve done.”
    Kaci chimed in, “I’ll just leave these pictures and notes for the cake here on the table, OK?” She placed a manila envelope there. “If you have any questions, call me, Trace. But I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”
    “I’ve got it covered.” Traci took the envelope and tucked it into her order book on the counter. “I promise your cake will be perfect.”
    “Oh, I have no doubts about that.” Kaci backed through the doorway with Ryne in tow. “You two…enjoy your time.”
    “Oh, we will.” Dylan squeezed Traci’s hand, leaving her wondering if she’d missed a scene somewhere along the way, as well. Had she really only known him for a few weeks? It felt more like a lifetime—and not in a bad way. The gentle warmth of his touch held a promise of so much more as he said goodbye to their friends. “See you later.”
     
     
     
     

6
     
    Traci shrugged from the light cotton jeans jacket and tossed it across her bed. One glance around the room told her she’d spent way too much time and energy deciding what to wear to dinner. She was just headed next door, for crying out loud. Why was she stressing so much over an outfit?
    The answer came in a neat little one-word package, tall dark and handsome—Dylan.
    Somehow, he’d gotten under her skin. Traci wasn’t sure when, exactly, the transition had taken place. She simply knew that now, whenever she thought of Dylan, his image was accompanied by a zing that traveled straight from her common-sense brain to her head-over-heels heart.
    Go figure. The guy might not have the best taste in music, but he sure knew how to act like a gentleman.
    “I don’t want to hurt you, Traci…”
    It was sweet of him to worry over her and those simple, heartfelt words warmed Traci to the core. She remembered the way they’d danced in the rain yesterday afternoon. Though exhaustion had burned deep into her bones, she’d still hummed from the thrill of his touch as he pulled her close, enfolding her in arms so strong and sure.
    “…by making you fall in love with me.”
    Was she? Could it possibly—against all odds—happen? The heart pendant that adorned Traci’s neck glittered beneath the overhead lights. Was there a purpose in Miss Vivian’s gift to her? What had Andrew Hart meant to say? Did it have something to do with Dylan?
    It was as if she and Dylan shared a connection that went beyond rationality. When he’d left by way of her patio door the night before, after sharing a cup of tea and polishing off what was left of the cookies, she was convinced he had intentions to claim a kiss. But he’d surprised her by holding back. Traci wasn’t sure whether she should be annoyed or honored by his restraint.
    She chuckled to herself. She was overthinking this whole situation much more than she had a right to. Dylan had asked her to dinner, plain and simple. He meant only to make up for causing her undue work the other night. She was thankful for the kindness, but his aloof attitude during the reception yesterday, coupled with his concerns for wounding her heart, spoke volumes. Despite her impression of his intentions, he wasn’t interested in anything more than dinner conversation. How could he be, when they’d barely scraped the surface of knowing one another?
    Traci lifted the jeans jacket from the growing clothes heap on her bed and tugged it back over her shoulders before smoothing the front of her sundress and doing a quick three-sixty in the bevel mirror nestled along one corner of her room. Dinner waited, and