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Weatherby growls. “Yes. She’s always doing something or other to contribute. Anyway, we should keep our eye on this. They might need some legal help.”
“Will do.” I don’t like drama. I’m a lover, not a fighter. But if the co-hosts of the festival have been scamming people, I have to do something to try to help.
“Oh, and can you send photos of this supposed utopia in reception?” Weatherby asks with a laugh. “Charlotte wants to see.”
“Of course.” I quickly send a few photos to both Weatherby and Charlotte, receptionist and legal secretary in one, and then end the call.
Only then do I turn back around to face Aria, whose gorgeous face has a frown.
“Your car? My guy is waiting.”
Her guy? I know she means the teen I’ve seen hanging around the bakery the past couple of months, but it also reminds me that she actually does have a guy. A boyfriend. I think he lives in Arkansas. Why he’s fool enough to live so far away from a woman like Aria beats me. If she were mine, I’d never do that.
She isn’t mine. That doesn’t mean there’s zero percent chance that could ever change though, right?
I’m an optimist.
“Let me grab my keys.” I spin around to our new reception desk, slide open the drawer and produce my keychain. Maybe if I keep talking to her, she won’t leave yet. “Here, head out back with me and we’ll see what’s going on.”
“You’re going to need to talk to the city about getting your own parking spots back here. All these belong to Shorty’s.” She’s in front of me as we walk past the stairs to the offices on either side of us. Thankfully, the freshly painted, glossy white trim and refurbished hardwood floors look great—nearly ready for Weatherby and Knowles to move in.
We step outside. “There’s room over there for your parking,” she says, her voice encouraging. “You’d need a striping company to come out.”
“But you guys don’t need—” I start to count. “Eight . . . nine parking spots.”
“Yes, we do.”
“I’ve never seen any other cars here besides yours and Camilla’s. Okay, maybe Jesse’s sometimes.”
Jesse’s my older brother. He married Camilla in the spring, and he’s never been happier.
“Theo, our customers park back here all the time.”
I give her a look. I know that’s not exactly true. Most of the customers park out front near the street. I shrug. I can go easy on her this once. We’ll leave the serious tones to Jesse. “I know I haven’t been around much. But I will be very soon, and then I’ll have a better idea of how parking shapes up around here.”
“With your firm under construction, it’s been extra crowded here. It’s been a big problem.” Aria steps in front of me to wave to the kid driving the delivery van. “Hang tight,” she tells him. “Theo will be moving his Beemer soon.”
There’s an edginess between us. Thick unease is flinging off her like she’s been dipped in oil.
I near my car and use the remote start, loving the purr of the engine. I tilt my head to the passenger’s side as I open my door. “Want to get in for a bit?” Why do I torture myself like this? She doesn’t want to get into my car for five seconds while I move it over a couple of spots.
“Maybe another time.” She peers at her nails.
I move the car, and then she signals to the delivery kid to back into the spot I’d occupied before. I jump out, but before I can reach her side again, she’s already unloading a cart from the back of the van.
“I thought you guys didn’t do deliveries?” I ask, taking a hold of the opposite side of the rolling rack. I spin it around so I’m the one having to walk backwards. I notice the kid steering another one out. It’s cold today, but he’s only wearing a thin hoodie.
“We didn’t used to. But with all our online orders, we needed someone to drive them over to the shipping company. Camilla figured if we were buying the van anyway, we could add a delivery service.”
“That’s great. Jesse said you’re doing well these days.”
Aria arches an eyebrow and raises her chin. “We are.” Her gaze darts to the door that I know is looming behind me. I was staring at her so much I forgot to watch where I was going.
“I’ve got it from here,” she says. “Thanks.”
I open the door and hold it for her as she maneuvers past me. Her wrist, her skin so smooth and soft, brushes my own. An electric shock zips through me.
I know that my chemistry with Aria is off the charts. I’ve known it since I met her.
