I pass the dark windows of Quinn’s Empty Needle & Ink, my breath puffing white in the air.
My heart is pounding for two reasons now: the fear that Colt just… left, and the sheer, utter terror that I’ve abandoned my childandmy business, all in one night.
One deeply sensual and erotic night.
"Shut up!" I growl at myself, determined not to let memories of Colt's magic tongue distract me from the crisis at hand.
I barrel through the door of Butter Batch, the bell jangling violently. My lungs burn, but I brace myself against the doorframe, expecting chaos… a line of furious customers, a burnt-smelling disaster, my precious sourdough starters ruined for all eternity.
Instead, the display cases are… full.
They've been loaded with neat rows of chocolate croissants, blueberry muffins and raspberry tarts that glisten under the lights. The air smells of fresh coffee and warm, buttery pastry.
All of it is perfectly arranged, exactly how I like it.
And sitting at the counter, swinging her legs and coloring in a notebook, is Morgan.
She looks up, her smile soothing my chest slightly. “Mom. Why are you wearing socks as shoes?”
“Morgan. What—how—” I blink, breathing hard as I scour the place.
“Colt was here,” she says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “He said you were tired and needed to sleep in. Why did you sleep at his house? Is it nice? I bet his TV is huge."
Colt's naked body hovers in my mind, but I manage to shake my head and get rid of the image, somehow finding a way to resume my role as concerned mother.
"Um, yeah, it's nice," I say carefully. "Um, sweetie, where is Colt now?"
"He's gone. He just helped us open and left me in charge."
I stare at her. “Us? Who'sus?”
“Me and yourbrothers,Mom.” She rolls her eyes and hops off the stool, skipping over to me and holding up her notebook. “Look. I drew a picture of the twisty thing you made. Lane said it would make a good logo if we ever needed one.”
The drawing is a surprisingly detailed cardamom-butter twist, with little hearts around it.
I finally feel my breath start to even out.
"Well done, baby. So… where is Colt now? And did you say your uncles are here?”
“Colt had practice. He said to tell you he’ll see you later.” She studies my face. “You look weird. Did you sleep in your clothes?”
“Um, yeah, sure,” I murmur, looking down at my crinkled wet outfit.
I can't exactly tell her I slept naked beside her new hero, can I?
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here this morning, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay. Lane’s really good at the cash register. He only messed up once.”
I laugh, a wobbly, relieved sound. Of course he didn’t just leave me this morning, cold and alone in his bed.
He camehere.
He opened my bakery and took care of my kid.
I’m an idiot.
The bell jingles again, and my three brothers tumble through the door like a herd of very large, very loud bears.
