She looked good, tired but content.
Rowan and I approached the counter, waiting in line while she finished with the customers ahead of us. I knew the moment she noticed us standing in her space. She’d gotten two coffees to-go, turned back towards the counter, only for those golden brown eyes to flick up and lock with my own. I couldn’t help the smirk that flickered across my face.
Damn, she was beautiful.
Did she know how beautiful she was? I needed to tell her more.
“Thanks, Ember,” one of the women said as they collected their coffees and started to walk out of the bakery. I could hear Rowan mutter something to them, but I wasn’t paying a bit of attention to them. I had eyes for one woman in this place, and it wasn’t anyone else but the stunning redhead in front of me.
“Good morning, Carragan,” she said politely.
“Ember,” I replied. “How’s your morning been?”
She shifted on her feet for a brief moment before finally answering. “Busy. What can I get for you?”
I sighed. “Can I just say something, please?” She stared at me, expectantly. “I’m sorry about just dropping by the other day and dropping that news on you. It wasn’t fair, especiallyin the middle of a workday. I thought it was a given that I’d have to do some digging, but I should’ve been more clear.”
She nodded, but Rowan cut in. “I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak at one time.” He looked over at Ember. “He’s the quiet twin,” he added, pointing a finger at me.
I rolled my eyes and prepared a jab only a brother could give when she started giggling. “He either doesn’t speak and stares at me or doesn’t shut up when he’s here. Bakeries must bring out the chatty vibes in him, Ro.”
“That must be it, Ember, the bakery.” He looked over at me knowingly, and I started truly contemplating his death. Would Mom forgive me if he went missing? “We’ll take two coffees and whatever delicious bread-like substance you’ve pulled out of the oven to make the place smell so good.”
I swore she started blushing. “Cinnamon rolls,” she said, her eyes back on me. “Which I know your brother is a big fan of,” she told Rowan. Clearing her throat, she turned away. “I’ll get it all together for you now. To go?” she asked as she started grabbing the cinnamon rolls.
“Here,” I replied, finally finding my voice. Only it wasn’tmy typical voice. No. It had a slight dominant undertone to it that I briefly wondered if she’d find Drew in. I felt Rowan’s eyes on me, but I still only had eyes for one in this room.
I watched as she glanced over her shoulder at me, her eyes widened before she finally nodded. “Sounds good.”
She gathered our order and handed it over to us, a small smile on her face. “Feel free to grab an empty table and enjoy.”
Rowan was the first to act, grabbing our plates of cinnamon rolls and walking off to find a table to sit at, but as I took our coffees, I couldn’t help but ensure the small brush of our fingers as I took the cups from her.
“I plan to,” I told her quietly.
I sat down with Rowan, my back to her so I couldn’t stare like an absolute psychopath.
“That was so solid and smooth, bro,” Rowan said in a hushed voice. “I’ll be honest, I thought you’d have more game than that.”
I snickered. “Smart ass. I do, she just leaves me feeling…”
“Stupid. Incoherent. Drunk. Brainless. Dumbfounded,” Rowan finished for me while he shoved a bite of cinnamon roll into his mouth.
“Holy shit,” he mumbled between bites. “Please marry this woman. Oh, also, I want her to cater the desserts for us.”
“The desserts?”
“Yeah, for the wedding. Aspen doesn’t want to do a simple cake. She wants it to be more homey. She’d brought up asking Ember, but as many pastries as my girl brings home, I somehow never get any.” He took another bite and practically moaned into the food. “Now I see why,” he muttered.
A few minutes later, with more moaning than felt necessary, we’d finished eating and downed our coffee.
“Commence phase two,” Rowan whispered as we walked up towards the counter. Thankfully, the place had mostly emptied out, only one more customer sat in the far corner, ear buds in while they worked away on a laptop. “Hey Ember, we’re going to grab some extras for Aspen. Plus Wyatt needs a little doggy bag. Do you mind if I use your bathroom while he orders?”
Damn, he was a pro.
“Go for it, Rowan. I’ll get Aspen’s stuff together now. Did you want her coffee too?” she asked.
“Nah, she’ll want it piping hot, and she isn’t off for another few hours.”
