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“I’ll grab the plates.”
“I’ll wash my hands.”
And he would think about baseball or something to reduce the bulge digging in his pants to be released.
How had he gone from wanting to figure her puzzle out to wanting to kiss her breathless?
4
“O-M-G!”
Eve jumped, and not because she feared someone was going to harm her. She twisted around to Juliet’s delightful face.
“Sorry.” Juliet looked contrite. “I didn’t mean to scream in your ear. Girl, these cupcakes are too cute. You’re so lucky you didn’t hide this talent from me for long.”
The happiness inside Eve wanted to burst free, but she held it in, settling for one of her short smiles.
“I’m so glad you like them.”
“Love them. Ilovethem.”
Juliet swiped the tray of red, white, and blue cupcakes from the counter and headed for the front where she would fill in the spots already purchased.
The last month and a half had been some of the best days of her life. Eve couldn’t remember a time she had been happier. Not even from her childhood. That wasn’t anything to reminisce about.
After they had an awkward meal, Griffin had helped her move all the furniture from the shed to her house. The next day when he stopped in for lunch at the cafe, the weirdness lingered. It took a full week before they morphed into an easygoing friendship. He stopped in the cafe daily, either to say hi or to grab a bite to eat. Gone were the nerves. Gone were the worries. Gone was the apprehension. It was nice having a guy she could trust and rely on for once in her life. She didn’t fear him in the slightest.
Well, not much.
When he touched her, which was rare these days, she feared how her body would react. Because his touch always sent the desire coursing through her veins. Just a brush of his fingers handing him change. Or the shift of their shoulders as they passed by each other in the kitchen when she had dinner with him or he had dinner at her house. The touches were so brief, yet so powerful, she made sure to avoid them at all costs.
Three weeks ago, Juliet had been in a pinch when Chip called out sick with the flu. She’d needed help in the back. Eve didn’t hesitate to lend a hand, and ever since then, she’d been side by side with Chip baking as if she’d been hired to do so. She couldn’t complain. She preferred being in the kitchen rather than behind the front counter. Less people to deal with. Some people asked too many questions. Her tongue got stuck at times on how to respond without drawing more suspicion than was already surrounding her. She knew some of the townsfolk eyed her funnily and she hated it.
While she detested making Christmas treats every day, she loved baking. Today, being the Fourth of July, she had created cupcakes with tiny little elves holding the American flag. By Juliet’s beaming smile, she knew she loved them. Eve was proud of herself as well. She’d already baked her third batch of the day, and they were flying out of the cafe fast.
“You know she’s going to have you making the cupcakes from now on, right?” Chip chuckled, bumping her hip.
She’d gotten used to him. He gave her no choice. He was a very touchy-feely guy but in an innocent way. He was always bumping her hip or wanting a high-five. She would’ve found it odd and uncomfortable, except he did the same to Juliet and Tabitha. She’d even braved bumping his hip a time or two, like yesterday when his timer for the pies went off and he didn’t notice. A little bump to get him out of his thoughts and he was racing to the ovens.
She felt safe and comfortable in this town. A feeling she never thought she’d ever have. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged somewhere. She had a home, a community, and friends she could count on. Despite the few who stared a little too long at her sometimes, the worries inside dissipated a little more each day.
“I set the cupcakes out and five are already gone,” Juliet said, stepping through the swinging doors. “Tabitha and I can barely keep up.”
Though her laughter said she wasn’t sorry about that at all.
“I’m glad they’re a hit. Do you want me to make more?” It was already three o’clock in the afternoon. The cafe closed at six every day. Today they would be closing at five so everyone could join in the holiday festivities. It would take her at least an hour to bake and decorate more cupcakes, if not a bit longer.
“No, we’re good for today. But you better start thinking of a great Labor Day idea. Those elves were amazing.”
Labor Day.
A holiday still two months away and Juliet thought she’d still be here. Eve hoped so. She hadn’t felt eyes on her or anything, as if he had found her. She was safe. She was free. Though, she had odd moments here and there in her house when she felt like something was off. As if she had put something in one place and it somehow moved to another.
Or she was losing her mind, creating havoc when none was to be found.
Yes, Labor Day.
