Chapter fourteen
The balloons were stillfloating high above the sandwich board they were tied to outside the tearoom. Tammy was amazed the local children hadn’t popped them or untied them to let the helium balloons float away for their amusement.
Letting herself into the tearoom, she experienced the same excited flutter in her stomach when she switched on the lights. The smell of freshly baked cakes mixed with the fragrant flora of the flowers on the tables filling the tearoom with a welcoming and homely feeling.
Tammy put her personal items away and slipped her apron over her head, eager to start the day.
Looking out of the large shop window, she could see by the flurry of holidaymakers heading for a good place on the beach that there was a promise of good weather. That meant it would be busy.
Heading into the kitchen, she turned on the cooker and hotplate and began to prepare the food for the breakfast rush. A tinkle from the other side of the kitchen door alerted her of a customer.
‘I’ll be right there,’ she called out, her pulse quickening.
There was another tinkle. Then another. Then another... Then another.
Customers were coming thick and fast. Tammy’s heart began to gallop. She peeked out and now there was a small crowd gathering in the shop. Tammy had a sixth sense today was going to be just like it was on her opening day—non-stop-busy. Reaching for her handbag, she didn’t waste another second to call Declan.
He answered on the second ring.
‘Declan, it’s Tammy. Can you come—...’
She didn’t even have to finish her sentence. ‘I’m on my way.’
Less than a minute later, the tinkle of the bell above the shop door sounded out again. Tammy grimaced, then the door to the kitchen opened and Declan’s blue eyes found hers as he breezed in. Her chest fluttered. ‘How did you get here so quickly?’
He pointed up to the ceiling. ‘The perks of living above the tearoom.’
‘Ah yes. Silly me. I forgot.’
His sexy grin and twinkling eyes made her heart skip a beat. ‘Want me to handle the kitchen again? Same routine?’ he asked as he reached for an apron. ‘Me in here and you serving customers and making drinks?’
Tammy nodded. ‘I really don’t mind.’ She was still debating which role she preferred. Having been delegated the kitchen duties in her business with her ex, Richi. She’d thought she’d really dislike being behind the counter, but she’d loved every minute so far this week, she’d loved the customer interaction.
Declan grabbed hold of the tops of her arms to change places, spinning her around in the small kitchen, and for a brief moment, they were glued together—with him looking down at her and her looking up at him—chest to chest. Tammy’s breath caught as he gazed down intently into her eyes. Still holding her arms, Declan’s eyes roamed her face before resting on her parted lips.
His head slowly lowered as he if was about to kiss her and Tammy’s insides went into jittery chaos. But then he hesitated, lips inches from hers. Her heart pounded wildly. Declan’s smouldering eyes held a question, one she didn’t know how to answer—should he continue?
As handsome as Declan was, Tammy didn’t want to be kissed—she didn’t know if she would ever be ready for romance again, not after how badly Richi had treated her.
‘Anyone serving?’
Tammy turned her head and called out. ‘Just coming!’
She smiled awkwardly at Declan and slipped quickly from his grasp. His intense look had left her flustered. Forcing a smile, she hurried to help the waiting customers.
The morning rush carried on with a lively momentum, and Tammy and Declan effortlessly slipped into their respective roles. Tammy’s heart continued to flutter every time Declan called out from the kitchen to tell her an order was ready, and she couldn’t help but notice the subtle smiles and glances he directed her way whenever they interacted throughout the morning.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Tammy expertly prepared cappuccinos and lattes. Her fingers danced over the complicated coffee-making machine she’d inherited from Katherine as part of the takeover, displaying a grace that came from months of practice on the coffee machine she’d once owned in her shared business with Richi.
Periodically, Declan came out from the counter to bring orders, but whenever Tammy got a chance, she would go into the kitchen and stand back watching him as he worked, showcasing his skills as he artfully arranged pastries and built sandwiches into towers of mouth-watering art, his strong hands moving with the precision and confidence that only a trained chef can muster.
Their interactions became increasingly seamless, a well-coordinated ballet of customer service and culinary prowess. When mid-morning arrived, Tammy handed an order to Declan, and their fingers brushed briefly, sending a shiver down her spine. She looked up to find Declan smiling at her, a playful twinkle in his eyes that suggested he felt the same electric spark.
Amid the rush, they found moments to exchange light-hearted banter. Tammy would make a playful comment about the weather, and Declan would respond with a witty remark that had her laughing. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, each word carrying an undercurrent of shared understanding and a growing connection.
As morning turned into midday and the pace began to ease, Tammy and Declan found themselves stealing stolen glances when they thought the other wasn’t looking. When Tammy took a moment to restock the sugar packets, she felt Declan’s gaze on her, and when she looked up, he quickly averted his eyes with a sheepish smile.
Lunchtime brought a short break, and they found themselves sitting at a small table near the window, sipping on cups of tea. The sunlight filtered through the gingham curtains, casting a warm glow on their faces. The conversation shifted to personal stories, childhood memories, and dreams for the future. Although Tammy omitted to go into detail about being raised in foster care, she felt a sense of comfort she hadn’t experienced in a long time, a feeling that Declan was genuinely interested in getting to know her.
