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“There’s nobody in the office,” a female voice calls out.
I check my watch. It’s seven a.m. sharp. “No one’s in until nine, please come back later,” I reply on autopilot.
“Well, I’m just here to drop off my résumé,” the voice continues, now very close. I freeze, recognizing it instantly this time. I turn to find McKay standing mere steps away.
“Mac,” I manage, drinking her in. She’s even more beautiful than I recalled—longer chestnut hair, brighter hazel eyes.
“Hey, Hops,” she says, waving.
I arch an eyebrow, wondering why she’s calling me Hops.
Before I can ask, she says, “You never told me how you got that nickname.”
I shrug. “It started when I opened the brewery. One of the seasonal workers started calling me that, and it stuck.”
She nods, and just now I notice she’s holding two paper cups.
“Where’s this résumé you mentioned?”
McKay shrugs coyly. “I might’ve left it in the car.” She offers me one of the cups she’s carrying. “But I brought coffee, so you can see I’ll have coffee for you every morning if you hire me.”
“Is that so?” I ask, intrigued.
“Part of the service,” she says with a playful smile. “I can grab them after working at the bakery.”
I raise my brow again. “You’re working for Genie?”
McKay smirks. “Someone has to take over when she retires. Paul and I might run it.”
“Paul’s here too?” I ask, trying not to sound thrown.
“You’re asking a lot of questions instead of interviewing me,” she teases, eyes glinting.
I take the coffee, moving closer. “How many hours can you work for me?”
“Enough to keep things working well. Though, as I mentioned, you have to share me with my grandmother.”
“I accept that. The salary is competitive, and we have room and board, too,” I offer with a grin.
McKay bites her lip. “You only have one bedroom, though.”
Our eyes lock, the playful pretense fading. Is she really back for good? I’m almost afraid to hope.
“We can share,” I suggest tentatively.
Her smile falls away. “Are you still in love with that woman?”
I nod, heartbeat quickening. “It’s impossible not to be. One day, she just entered my life without notice and stole my heart. Probably my soul, too.”
McKay looks down. “I can’t compete with that.”
Slowly, gently, I set the coffee cup aside. Then I draw her close, tilting her chin up to meet my earnest gaze.
“You don’t have to compete, McKay. Don’t you see? You’re the woman I’m talking about. From the moment we met, you captivated me and consumed me. I tried to resist falling for you, but it was hopeless.”
I press my forehead to hers, voice husky with emotion. “I’m still hopelessly, desperately in love with you. Only you.”
McKay’s eyes shimmer with tears as she lets out a shaky laugh. “I was hoping you’d say that,” she whispers. “Because I’m in love with you too.”
