Page 8 of Kylie’s Kakes

"Yep. My first day." She gestured at the pound cake on the counter, wrapped and ready to take with her. "I'm starting a cake business. Well, I guess I technically already started it, and I needed a better kitchen."

"That's incredible." She was incredible. "Will you be leaving the coffee shop?"

"No, not at all. I love it there. But I’ve wanted to do this for a while, so I’m giving it a shot." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she decided whether to say what was really on her mind. "So, you're a chef?"

"Used to be." I always tried to be humble. Not just with her but with anyone who didn't already know my full résumé. "I’ve cooked professionally for a while, but I’m working on a cookbook now. Well, I’m supposed to be, but my focus has been shit today."

She cocked her head like she was concentrating then held out her hand. “I’m not wearing my nametag now, so you might not remember, but I’m Kylie.”

"I remember." I held her gaze for a long moment and then smiled. "I'm Jordan, by the way. In case you don’t remember."

"I remember." Her voice was soft, almost breathy. "Nice to officially meet you, Chef."

"Please…” I forced out a chuckle, but it was more like an awkward bark. “Jordan's fine."

"We'll see." She glanced at the clock in the same way I'd been doing for the last twenty minutes. "I should get going, but I'll probably be back tomorrow, if you're around."

My time was up. "Yeah, I’m always around…way more than I should be."

That got another smile out of her.

For a second neither of us said anything else, trying to figure out if there was a reason to keep talking.

"Well." She hitched her bag higher on her shoulder and reached for the container of cake she was taking with her. "Good luck with the lamb situation."

"Thanks."

She nodded and headed for the door.

I stood there and watched for a few seconds before I followed after her. “Kylie, wait.”

5

KYLIE

When I heard him call out to me, my heart started racing in my chest even harder than it had been. I froze in place before sucking in a deep breath and turning around.

Jordan jogged toward me and came to a halt about three steps before he actually reached me. "Hey." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away for a moment. "I know you’ve gotta go, but I just want to ask you something real quick."

"Okay." My heart was flipflopping in my chest because I had absolutely no idea what he was about to say. “What’s up?”

"Would you like to get dinner sometime? Tonight, maybe. If you're free. But if you’re busy, maybe tomorrow…or the next day."

I wasn’t sure what to say. I'd spent weeks imagining a version of this exact moment, but nothing had prepared me for how nervous I’d feel when it happened. "Um, yeah.” When? Tomorrow. No, tonight. Definitely tonight. “Tonight works. I close at six, so…"

"Seven?" He already had his phone out and his message app open. "I can pick you up. I’ll send you a text, and then you can send me your address. Or if you’re not comfortable with that, we could meet someplace convenient for you."

"You can pick me up." He didn’t give off any serial killer vibes, and I’d share my location with the girls anyway, so I gave him my number. “I’m not far from here.”

"Perfect. I’ll see you at seven." He poked the screen on his phone and mine immediately buzzed in my pocket. "That’s from me. Text your address and let me know if anything changes."

"Okay, cool." I was already backing toward the door because if I stood here smiling at him for one more second, I was afraid I’d do something embarrassing. “See ya later.” I gave him one last wave before I booked it outside and inhaled a deep breath.

I had a date.

With Jordan.

Tonight.