“Awesome.” I untie my apron and set it on the counter beside me. Turning to the group of high schoolers volunteering in the kitchen with me, I give them a quick nod. “I’ll be right back.”
I meet Herman on the other side of the counter. We walk through the doorway leading to the adjacent room together. As we step inside, we’re greeted by a few smiles, along with rows of mismatched but comfortable chairs, and a few round tables scattered throughout the space. Coffee cups, open Bibles, and half-eaten pastries rest on the tables like evidence of a successful morning.
I can’t deny that there’s a warmth to this room that feels like a gathering at a friend’s house rather than a formal meeting. As usual, there are too many familiar faces from Sunday services here for it to feel any other way.
I gesture for Herman to follow me toward a table where Hayden, the youth pastor, is sitting with a small group of men. His expression brightens when he sees us, and he stands, brushing his hands down his plaid shirt and jeans as he grins. “Romilly!”
“Hayden, this is my new friend, Herman.” I watch them shake hands and grin. “Do you have a seat for him, by chance?”
“Of course.” Hayden gestures to the remaining seat at his table, and the two of them start up a conversation.
I make my way back to the kitchen next door, but stop when I literallyfeelsomeone’s gaze on me. My eyes dart up and land directly on Bash’s. He’s leaning against a wall off to the side of the room, wearing khaki pants and a white button-up with the sleeves rolled back from his heavily tattooed forearms. The way he’s watching me with such intensity makes it hard to look away.
We stare at each other for an embarrassingly long moment. Then he lifts the corner of his mouth and offers me a small wave.
I walk over to him.
As I approach, I take a deep breath.Why does he have to be so attractive?
He crosses his arms once I’m standing right in front of him. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Why are you standing all by yourself?”
“Mr. Turner needed a chair more than I did.” He nods toward the full table closest to us where old Mr. Turner is eating his breakfast. Guilt slices through me as I notice all the chairs in the room are taken. I make a mental note to bring an extra one in for Bash.
“It’s nice to see you again,” he says, breaking me away from my thoughts. “But I could have sworn you said men’s breakfast was for men.” He grins at me. It’s the kind of teasing smile that feels like a secret between us, and it makes my heart flutter.
“It is. I’m working in the kitchen today.”
He arches an eyebrow. “How many jobs do you have?”
“Too many. Now if you’ll excuse me, I should probably get back to this one.”And now would be the moment to walk away. Any minute now. Go, legs, go!
Bash shoves his hands in his pockets, that huge grin still plastered to his face. “Well, what about after?”
“I’m grooming dogs after.”
His smile fades, brows drawing together. “Do you work seven days a week?”
“Six, actually. I always take one day a week off, but I pack the rest of them full. And it’s fine. I like working.” I shrug like I’m unbothered, but the truth is that I have no choice, especially now that Lana’s gone. There’s no way I can afford to take any more time off until Agatha, my old groomer, comes back.
“You should take the rest of the day off and hang out with me instead.” The low, charming way he says it makes nerves shoot to my toes. His eyes are locked on mine, and it’s hard to think straight. I can’t imagine what it would be like to do something so careless, but I can’t deny the idea excites me.
I shake my head. “Sorry. We can hang out at work tomorrow.”
He laughs. “Fine. I know a rejection when I hear one.” But he doesn’t look at all defeated. If anything, he only looks fascinated. He studies my face with a small smile that makes blood rush to my face.
“I’m...I’m not rejecting you. I’m just busy. Which reminds me—your background check came back great, so you’re now not only my employee, but a Harvest Valley Church camp counselor.So, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at The Paw Spa. ” I don’t give him a chance to retort, and as I head back to the kitchen, I replay his words in my head.You should take the rest of the day off and hang out with me instead.
Ugh. What is it about him that makes me kinda want to?
The last thing I need is another man tricking me into liking him, or getting me to trust him, only to let me down in the end. Bash may be handsome, but he’s exactly the kind of man I need to avoid. He’s a professional MMA fighter, and practically textbook for: I’m a bad boy and I will break your heart.
If I could, I’d stay far away from him. But unfortunately, he happens to be my new dog bather, and without him, I might have another failed business on my hands. Since he needs my help too, there’s not really anywhere for me to run.
Jasper eyes me curiously when I get home. It’s like he knows I brought him a treat, even though I double-bagged the pumpkin loaf I bought from Old Joe’s Diner before I stuck it in my purse.
“Hey, buddy.” I scratch his head before I even cross the threshold. Jasper paws at my hand and sniffs the autumn air wafting in from the open door. I come in and close it before he can get any ideas about manipulating me into letting him be an outdoor cat. He already gets supervised outings every night, but knowing him, he’ll try to push it. He’s currently wearing a bright orange sweater from Iris Lily, my favorite boutique in town. Though Jasper has been known to attack random strangers without warning, part of the reason I love this cat so much is he’ll let me put him in whatever ridiculous costume I desire, even hats, as long as I pay him treats as compensation.
