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I need to stop, though. I can’t just stand here daydreaming about some random guy. I have a bakery to run. There’s always a million things I need to get done around here.
I shake away the thoughts of River and start to shift around some of the macarons in the display case. Macarons are my specialty, but I make a variety of different baked goods, and we sell gelato, as well. Ilovehow people’s eyes light up when they walk in and see all the colorful sweets on display.
The treats I sell aren’t the only thing that’s colorful about the bakery, though: when I was first opening the shop, I let Anna help me pick the colors, so everything is pink and sherbet orange. There are also rose gold café tables and chairs near the windows, providing the perfect spot for people-watching.
I’ve been dreaming of owning a shop like this since I was a little girl.
I’ve just finished with the macarons in the display case when the bell above the door jingles. Lifting my head, I automatically put on a smile and call out my standard, “Welcome in!”
To my surprise, River walks in.
“Oh—hi,” I say. My heart patters in my chest. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You, too, Leah.” River glances over and sees Anna sitting at one of the tables. “Hey, Anna.”
“Hiya!” Anna calls out, then immediately returns to her coloring.
I brush a strand of stray hair out of my face and focus on remaining cool. It’s ridiculous how hot this man is. He’s got the greatest smile, too—it lights up his whole face.
He looks around the shop, taking in his surroundings. “This place is cute.”
I laugh. It’s obviously not his kind of vibe.
“Thanks,” I say. “Anna helped me pick out the colors.”
“Oh, this isyourbakery?” he says.
“It is indeed. Would you like to try something?”
His eyes meet mine again, and the look he gives me lets me knowexactlywhat he wants to try. My panties practically melt off me right then and there.
In that moment, I temporarily forget how to breathe.
Suddenly, though, the bell over the door jingles again, yanking me back into reality. A group of giggling girls in sand-covered flip-flops spill into the shop, jostling each other and pushing their way over to the gelato freezer.
When they catch sight of River, they burst into another fit of giggles.
River doesn’t pay attention to them, though. Running a hand through his ocean-tousled hair, he glances at the display case, then looks back at me and says, “Surprise me. I’m not in a rush.”
I nod, my tongue caught in my mouth. As I step over to scoop out gelato for the teenage girls, I peek over and watch with amusement as River settles his muscular bulk into one of the chairs near the window.
After the girls leave with their cups of gelato, I place a pain au chocolat onto a plate for River and pour him a cup of black coffee.
“You don’t strike me as a macaron guy, so…” I say as I set the coffee and baked good in front of him. “Here you go.”
“Looks delicious. Thank you. What do I owe you?”
I shake my head. “Absolutely nothing. Just enjoy.”
He smiles at me—oh God, that smile—and makes an appreciative sound as he takes his first bite. I don’t mean to just stand there and stare at him, but it’s kind of hard not to.
“Damn, that’s good,” he says. His eyes flick up to me. “You’re really something.”
My cheeks heat. I open my mouth, but I suddenly find it impossible to think of anything coherent to say. And in the next moment, the bell jingles again and a family with sunburned noses shuffles inside.
“Welcome in!” I say, my voice coming back to me. “Be with you in just a moment, folks.”
I give River a quick smile and then start to move away. But River catches my hand.
