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The bubbles indicating she was responding showed up immediately, her answer popping up in seconds.
Ginger:He texted you an invite? Classy. That gives you the green light to fuck his dad after the ceremony.
I really shouldn’t have been surprised by Ginger’s answer. Shouldn’t have been, but I was.
Me:That really isn’t where I was going with this.
Ginger:That’s where I’d go.
Nowthatdidn’t surprise me at all. I kept my eyes on Misty as I prepped the tray of éclairs to put in the front case. She didn’t look any calmer, which meant this really bothered her. It bothered me too, but at the same time, it really wasn’t all that shocking. Nico had always liked getting my attention, and I… Well, I fell for his lines every single time. At least, I used to. Before he found his fated mate and left me without a word. Except for a few text messages afterward that I’d answered just to be polite. And an invitation to his wedding. Hiswedding. As if he hadn’t been in my bed just two months ago. BeforeBam!Fate.
I was such an idiot.
As I finished lining up the delectable, chocolate-covered treats, the bell over the front door rang through the bakery. It had to be Ginger—she’d said she’d be here in just two minutes. With Misty out of commission and Madeleine hiding, I needed my sister to talk me through what to do about this situation. I needed a reply that would strike the perfect balance ofPiss off, you wankerandJolly good time.
Just less British.
I hurried out to the sales floor carrying the tray of éclairs. “Misty’s still broken, and I am not having sex with a dad. That’s a nonnegotiable.”
“I guess it’s too bad I have a son, then.”
I slipped and wobbled hard, meeting deep, dark eyes as I bumped into the counter. As he smiled at me.
And then I died.
Not literally—that would have been way too dramatic for me.
But he was so…
I nearly dropped the tray.
Thankfully, the man grabbed the end and righted it before we had a baked-good catastrophe. His arm bulged—actually bulged—with the movement, as if the muscles were trying hard to get my attention. They truly didn’t need to try that hard at all. This guy—this customer—was the living, breathing epitome of the wordman. Tall and thick, with broad shoulders and a tapered waist. His simple black button-up shirt clung to his arms, the sleeves cuffed and rolled in that way that made me drool.
Arm porn was a real thing, apparently.
The higher sleeve also showed off a little ink peeking out from one side. Giving him a tiny hint of danger. Just enough to make my heart flutter. And he wasn’t some young, cocky kid either. He had salt-and-pepper hair and scruff. A true silver fox right here in my bakery.
And I’d just said I wasn’t having sex with a dad.
Open mouth, insert foot.
“Are you all right?”
The tone of his voice sent a shiver up my spine. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were my sister.”
“Ah, well, that explains things.”
Another smile, another shiver, and another slight bobble as I attempted once again to make my way to the display case. Why wouldn’t my knees work the way they were supposed to?
“Allow me.” He gave me a smile as he took the tray from my hands and set it on the top of the display case. “You know, I’m not sure whether to take the fact that you thought I was a woman as an insult or not.”
He turned and crossed his arms over his chest. His very broad, very defined chest. Those cuffed sleeves slid up a bit, showing just that much more skin and ink and…
“Women don’t have muscles like that.”Open mouth, insert whole darn leg.Why on earth had I thought speaking was a good idea? My face warmed, and I bit my lip as his grin grew wider.
“Thank you for noticing.”
As if there was any way not to. But he was a customer…and a new one, at that. I’d definitely never seen him around, which meant he was likely in town for the wedding.Calm, Coco. Stay calm. Businesslike. Professional.
