AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And,” Avery continues, a knowing look in his eyes, “the whole city’s locking down. Dev sent Ashton to beat the grocery rush.” He pauses, gauging my reaction. “He wants everyone at the estate by two.”
“Oh.” The word slips out, tinged with uncertainty. My mind races to my cats. I can’t just abandon them for a week, or two, or even three.
Avery’s hand finds my belt loop, pulling me closer. His breath is warm against my neck, his scent enveloping me. “That includes you.” His voice is a low rumble. “A snowed in heat could be an interesting way to spend the winter.”
“Oh.” This time, my voice holds a different note, one filled with images of that pool and skinny dipping. “But my cats.”
“Max is already on his way to get them,” he murmurs, his teeth grazing my neck. A wave of arousal stirs deep inside me. “They are just waiting for you.”
Violet slams the phone down. “That was Elenora,” she announces, striding over to the table with her usual brash confidence. She doesn’t bat an eye at Avery’s closeness. “She wants us to stay open and sell all our stock.”
Avery mutters something under his breath, clearly displeased.
I gently push him away, turning my attention to Violet. “That’s a ton of stock to sell off.”
Violet nods, tapping her nails on the tabletop. “Elenora’s thinking ahead. If we’re closed for weeks, she doesn’t want waste. At noon, if anything is left, we take what we want and donate the rest to the shelter.”
“Noon isn’t too bad,” I muse, eyeing my sweet rolls. “I’m claiming these.”
“I call dibs on the muffins,” Violet declares, pushing off from the table. “No more baking. We should open early.”
With a sigh that sounds more like a groan, Avery asks, “Where are the aprons?”
“Hanging up there,” I say, nodding toward the wall hooks lined with aprons.
“I’ll handle the opening. You two start clearing out the inventory,” Avery commands, slipping an apron over his head and tying it loosely.
“You sure you know what you’re doing?” I can’t help but tease.
Avery arches an eyebrow at me, a look so effortlessly sexy it almost makes me swoon. “Oh, sugar, I know exactly what I’m doing.”
“Better hurry,” Violet interjects, pointing toward the window. Several cars are already pulling into the parking lot.Outside, the streets are bustling more than ever with throngs of people in a frenzy to stock up before the storm hits.
“Alright, team,” I announce, clapping my hands together with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
The next several hours promise to be a whirlwind of chaos.
CHAPTER 19
Seraphina
Avery’s voicedrifts down from upstairs, discussing something with his brother. “Is that black lace? Pack it.” His tone is light but firm.
Nerves flutter in my stomach as I walk over to the windows. Max has already cared for my cats, giving them two bedrooms connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom. He even sent a video of them exploring their new space, which did little to calm my restless mind.
It’s just past noon. The bakery sold out by eleven, letting us close earlier than we’d anticipated. That’s a relief, but without the bustling rhythm of work, my thoughts wander unchecked.
The twins are helping me pack for an extended stay away from home. Max is with the cats, and Devlin... well, Devlin is being Devlin.
The moment I walked through these doors, I felt as frozen as the afternoon sky outside. Perched on the small window ledge, I watch the clouds roll in, thick and white with barely a hint of gray. As I press my palm against the cold glass, the chill from outside seeps through.
“Hey.” Ashton’s voice pulls me from my reverie as he sits down beside me. There’s still a small speck of purple paint on his cheek from last night. I reach out, dragging a finger across his skin. The paint remains, and I decide it suits him. “You okay?”
I respond with a noncommittal shrug, pressing my forehead against the glass. How do I explain that everything feels like it’s moving too fast? We were only thinking about dating or courting just a while ago, though neither of us ever said a damn thing, and now it feels like I’m moving in with them. They even have my cats.
More nerves dance in my belly, a tumultuous mix of excitement and apprehension.
I’m at a loss for words as I gaze at Ashton, a remarkably handsome and incredible delta. His expression is contemplative, focusing not on me but on something else. Curious, I turn to follow his gaze.
