CHAPTER 12
LEE
“You’re in a good mood,” Tyler said on Thursday morning as we pulled the sourdough out of the oven.
“Was it the whistling that gave it away?” I asked.
“And your shit-eating grin.”
“Went on a date last night,” I said. “With Chase.”
“With Chase?” he asked. “ChaseChase?OurChase?” It was his turn to whistle, a low sound of disbelief. “I knew you guys were banging, but… Chasedates?”
I got his point. Chase gave off the same vibes as a feral cat, onlylessapproachable.
“I was as shocked as you when he said yes,” I said. “But yeah, he dates. We’re dating. I think we’re boyfriends now.”
“Holy fucking fuckstick,” Tyler said and then blinked. “That came out wrong. I mean congratulations.”
“Very convincing.”
“Nah, I’m serious,” Tyler said. “I’m happy for you. And for him too, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I mean. He’s dating you, poor bastard.”
“Fuck you,” I said with a laugh. “Nobody twisted his arm.”
“You’ve made peanut butter cookie dough every day for the past two weeks,” Tyler said. “Andyou got the good hot chocolate in. I see you bribing him.”
“Shut up,” I said through my grin.
We spent the next hour getting ready for opening. When Chase turned up and made us both coffees, I took a moment to appreciate that, unlike his earlier efforts, these were actuallygood.
“Nice job,” I said, raising my cup in his direction.
“Whatever,” he said, but I caught a hint of a smile before he headed back out front.
“He’s getting better with the customers too,” Tyler said.
“That’s because Bobby’s matching tips for the rest of the month,” I said. “Since opening’s gone so well.”
But Tyler wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t heard Chase call someone a dick in at least three days, which was some kind of record. Not that he insulted them to their face, but he didn’t always wait until they were out of earshot either—which was maybe why Bobby had offered to match the tips in the jar. And it looked like it was working.
The morning flew by, the bell over the door chiming steadily as customers streamed in for their coffee and cake. Tyler had to go and help out front a couple of times when the line got too long, but otherwise Chase handled it like a pro. It was a million miles from his first day when he’d tried to bluster his way through, and I was glad Bobby had insisted on keeping him on. For all his weird outfits and that fucking goose, Bobby was smart when it counted.
When lunchtime rolled around, Tyler headed out front to serve and Chase came and joined me in the back. He leaned back against the counter and folded his arms, watching as I hefted a sack of flour over one shoulder and carried it over to the mixer. “That’s fucking hot.”
I slapped the sack and flexed my muscles deliberately, and he shot me a grin.
“Gonna lift me up like that later?”
“Maybe,” I said. “I might not feel like it.” That was a lie. We both knew it was happening.
Chase helped himself to a handful of cookies and ate while he watched me work. I was about to suggest he eat some real food when Tyler called, “A little help?”
Chase and I exchanged a look and I sighed, wiped my hands on my apron, and said, “I’ll go.”
