Chapter 5
Colt
"That'll be four-fifty, Audrey. And here—" I slide an extra chocolate croissant into her paper bag with a wink. "For the road."
Audrey Brown swoons like I've just proposed marriage. "Oh, Mr. Lane. You aretoocharming."
"I've been told."
She giggles and shuffles toward the door with her discounted pastries. The bell chimes behind her, and I'm already turning to the next customer with my best camera-ready smile.
Day three of ambassador duty, and I've finally found my groove.
Turns out I'm excellent at this part. Pastry distribution and small talk. The thing Zoey called my 'boyish charm' yesterday.
The display case is nearly empty now, just a few lonely bread rolls and one questionable-looking muffin that's been eyeing me since noon. The coffee's been gone for an hour, but the afternoonrush is finally tapering off, and I've managed to get through an entire shift without destroying anything.
Progress.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I check it discreetly, angling the screen away from the register.
CONFIRMATION: Your reservation has been secured.
Yes.
I grin at the screen, feeling my plan slowly come together like a perfectly executed play.
It's going to work. Ithasto work.
I shove the phone back in my pocket before Zoey can notice. She's got some kind of sixth sense for when I'm up to something. Probably developed it from raising a ten-year-old who inherited her mother's sharp tongue and zero-bullshit attitude.
Speaking of Zoey—
"Colt!" Her voice carries through the serving window. "We need twenty pounds of all-purpose flour, ten pounds of bread flour, and I'm running low on vanilla extract. Write that down somewhere."
She's in the back kitchen, bent over the flour tubs. She's wearing these tight black leggings today, the kind that hug every curve like they were painted on.
I've been trying my damn hardest not to stare at them all morning, but…
I've failed. Spectacularly.
"Copy that, boss."
"And Morgan's bus gets here at three-forty-five. If I'm not back from the supply run by then, can you—"
"I've got it."
I lean against the counter, watching her through the window.
Goddamn. So round. So full.
But just as Zoey straightens and ruins my view, Delaney bursts through the front door in a blur of blonde hair and icy-blue eyes. Paige is right behind her, phone pressed to her ear, and behind them, Samuel Voss ducks through the doorway like the building might not be structurally sound enough to contain him.
"What the fuck?" I mutter.
Samuel hoists a promotional bag over one massive shoulder and then I see Cade Jensen following close behind him, grinning like Christmas came early. He has acamerahanging around his neck.
"Ah, Colt!" Delaney claps her hands together, the echoing sound sharp enough to make me flinch. "Perfect. You're still here."
