Candy Store

knew damn well that several more shots would be necessary to help him get through the reception. It was the only way.
    Jane’s father kissed her on the cheek and handed the bride over to the groom. Derek saw the love flowing between them and felt nothing but emptiness inside him.
    The memory tackled him again. The Candy King? Why can’t you be more like your brother?
    Derek tried to shake the shrill voice of his ex-fiancée out of his head as James and Jane exchanged rings. His best friend leaned in to kiss his new wife, but all Derek could see was the face of his ex-fiancée, screwed up in rage at him.
    Don’t ever come near me again.
    In his mind’s eye Derek could still see the shock on the faces of their guests. He could still see the undisguised hatred in Gina’s eyes.
    The sound of applause pulled him from his memories and he reached out his arm to the Maid of Honor. He just needed to make it down the aisle to the bartender and then everything would be all right.

    * * * * *

    Callie pushed the salmon around on her plate. It was delicious, but she wasn’t the least bit hungry. Her lack of appetite may have had something to do with all of the newlyweds at her table. As far as she could tell there wasn’t another singleton around for miles. If she had to hear one more word about engagement rings and honeymoon trips, she was going to puke. Abruptly, she pushed her chair back and made a beeline for the bar.
    A tall, broad-shouldered man stood with his back to her. Callie hadn’t paid much attention to the wedding ceremony, but she couldn’t help but notice the striking good looks of the best man.
    He had looked oddly grim throughout the ceremony, but at one point when he had grinned at the groom, it was as if the sun had come out from the clouds to pour down over everyone.
    Callie cursed her unfortunate weakness for tall, dark, and handsome. Her friends liked to joke that the big brutes she always fell for were the perfect counterpart to her petite curves. But it wasn’t really all that funny.
    The truth was that if the man came with a harsh past and an emptiness in his soul, she was metal to his magnet. Which may have had something to do with her still being single, she mused unhappily.
    If she could only find a nice, simple, happy man—yes, short, soft, and pale would have to suffice—everything would be perfect.
    Oh yeah, except for the fact that she was going to have to close her store if she didn’t start making a profit.
    Callie fell even deeper into her misery as she made her way past the last of the tables. The best man ran a large hand through his hair and said something in a low voice to the bartender. The sound of his voice sent goose bumps running up her bare arms.
    I wonder which super model he’s married to?
    Callie knew she was being bad, but for once she didn’t care. Pretty soon, instead of spending her days making candy—the one thing she loved most in the world—she was going to be sitting behind a desk in an office typing memos for some executive, or reeking of grease and saying, “Would you like onions with that?”
    Coming shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Handsome and Tortured, she said to the bartender, “Give me something. Anything. Just make it strong.”
    Alcohol wasn’t normally her thing, not when she could do such amazing things with sugar and chocolate, but Callie didn’t care.
    If there was ever a time to get drunk, it was now.
    The best man, who was even more striking up close, tossed back a shot of something golden then turned to face her.
    “She’ll have a shot of tequila,” he told the bartender, all the while holding her gaze with his own. “Make it two. With lime and salt.”
    Callie had never seen eyes so green. She blinked and tried to tear her eyes from his, but she didn’t have a chance.
    “Derek McNear,” he said, his voice warm and slightly thick.
    Callie’s tongue darted out to lick her lips. She knew she was supposed to say her name, but she was having the darnedest time even remembering to breathe around this guy. His name seemed vaguely familiar, but her brain wasn’t working well enough for her to chase the thought.
    One side of his mouth quirked up, but his semi-grin was far from being a smile.
    “And you are?” he asked, his tone slightly mocking, as if he was used to women losing all use of their tongues whenever he deigned to speak to them.
    The bartender placed a small glass in front of Callie and she finally pulled herself away from