“Uh, I know this is a big ask,” I started.
But I didn’t need to voice it. “No moves will be made till this shit is all wrapped up.”
“Thanks.”
The last thing I needed was to blow the whole operation because of a food temper tantrum and a disgruntled biker who felt petty enough to spill all the secrets.
A door opened and closed seconds before a no-longer-shirtless Jury came out of the employee break room. He stopped short, his gaze darting between us. His eyes noticeably dropped to the arm that was still wrapped around me and remained there. “What’d I miss?”
I twisted quickly to dislodge myself from Rhys’s hold as I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“Right,” he drawled, not believing me for a second. “How ’bout you tell me on the ride home?”
“What?” I was confused, sure, but also distrustful by natureandtraining.
He tilted his head toward the doorway he came through. “Figured you two rode in together, and you might not feel like waiting around all night for him to drag himself away. I’m taking off if you want a ride.”
I was about to decline the offer, but Rhys beat me to it. “We’re leaving soon.”
I didn’t like when people stole from me and then lied to my face like I was dumb. But Ireallydidn’t like people talking for me, even if they weren’t wrong.
“If you have work to do here, I can just—” My words and the step I took were both cut off when a finger hooked in my belt loop and tugged me back.
Again.
I hadn’t thought much of it at the bakery, but that time, it added to my cranky annoyance.
I turned to glare at Rhys, but I didn’t get far because his finger remained in place to prevent a full range of motion.
“Kind of hard for you to do your job if you’re not here,” he pointed out—and it was valid. If all the guys were leaving, I should be there as a precaution.
“We’re still slow playing it,” I shot back anyway. I wasn’t even sure why I was arguing since we were technically on the same page.
It was his turn to stare me down.
And unlike the prospect, I didn’t squirm under the intensity of the silence.
I rolled my eyes.
“Think you must have a twitch,” he muttered, his mouth doing its own twitch as he fought a smile. Fortunately, his dimples didn’t get the message, and they deepened even without his lips fully joining.
“Sure, let’s go with that.” I sighed and looked at Jury. “I appreciate the offer.”
He lifted his chin before they started discussing what time they would be back in the morning. I stayed long enough to get the important details before finally unhooking myself from Rhys and retreating to the main room.
If I’m going to be stuck here all night, I need another hit of sugar.
My hopes lifted when I saw the shimmery promised land waiting. Beckoning me forward.
And then they were dashed just as quickly when I opened the lid to find it empty.
Nary a crumb.
“No, that’s okay!” I called out. “It’s not bad enough that you all ate everything, but I’ll clean up after you, too.”
Haze stuck his head out from near the front entrance. “Sorry, Lo.”
I gathered the trash and rounded the bar as I spoke. “I expect a big tip for this.”
