His lips slowly spread into that lazy grin I’ve seen a million times, yet it still elicits a reaction from me. “I was craving some muffins, so I figured, why not get the best?”
Smiling, I nod. “Damn right, they’re the best. How many would you like?”
“I’ll take a dozen so I can share them with my employees.”
I grab a box. “Which kind?”
“Four gingerbread, four blueberry, and four cranberry.”
I add them to a box, seal it shut with one of my logo stickers, and hand it over to him. “Would you like anything else?”
“A large, hot gingerbread, please.”
My lips curving with satisfaction, I spin around and move over to the machines. My thoughts wander as I prepare his coffee.Did he really come here for muffins and coffee? Or is there another reason?
Placing the lid on his cup, I deliver it to him. “Here you go.”
He smiles. “Thank you.” We stand there staring at one another until he finally asks, “What do I owe you?”
I shake my head. “Your money’s no good here.”
“Don’t even try to pull that, G.”
“I’m serious. You hung my shelves, which means free muffins and coffee for life.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not. Good help is hard to find.”
He pulls his wallet from his back pocket and tucks a twenty-dollar bill in the tip jar, smirking at me.
“Grrr,” I growl. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”
He reaches over the counter, gently pinching my chin between his thumb and index finger. “Why do you have to be so beautiful?”
Everything around me fades away as we stare into each other’s eyes. Then he clears his throat and drops his hand. Just like that, the moment breaks, but it still lingers in the air like the scent of coffee and gingerbread.
“Do you have time to sit for a minute?” he asks, holding up the box. “I think I should sample one now. You know, make sure they’re as good as I remember.”
I glance around the shop. Alex’s handling things fine, and my stomach leaps at the thought of spending more time with him.
“Sure.” Grabbing a napkin, I pull a muffin from the case and lead him to the small table near the corner. He settles into the chair across from me, and I set the napkin on the table and place the muffin on top.
He peels the wrapper away and takes a bite. He hums as he chews. “Still amazing.”
“Of course they are,” I say, breaking off a piece for myself.
He stretches out his long legs beneath the table, and one of his knees nudges mine. The touch is light enough to make me wonder whether it was accidental. I glance at him, but he’s focused on his muffin, as if nothing happened. But then his foot bumps mine, lingering longer this time. Part of me wants to move away, but a bigger part doesn’t.
“So,” I say, trying to sound as casual as possible. “How’s business at the shop?”
“Busy.” He swallows another bite. "And we’re prepping for the holidays, which always brings more people.”
“Do you think that’s because of all the get-togethers? Maybe your customers need help coping with seeing family.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. I find myself downing edibles whenever Reed’s around.”
I laugh. “Ha. You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself without your brothers.”
