Chapter Fifteen
CHELSEA
I keep myself bustling the next day, which isn’t hard to do, but I have so many orders to fill for the morning I’m going to have to start practically in the middle of the night. Without my mom helping, it’s been a tough struggle, and it reminds me even more how much I appreciate having her work here with me. At least I have Rose today helping me in the afternoon, and I can make a start on getting Brad’s order ready for the morning, along with the other orders and the produce for the shop. Saturday is my busiest day, so I need to have my game face on. I’ll bake everything fresh early tomorrow before the bakery opens, but I like to make sure I have everything I need on hand.
I’m out back, deep in the pantry cupboard searching for the pecans, when my phone buzzes from my apron pocket. When I fish it out and see Brad’s name flash up on the screen, everything just revs back up again, right back to where it was before, during and after the soccer game yesterday. I lean back against the wall and blow out a breath.
He’s been on my mind constantly… and not just because of the whole almost kissing him thing, and those sexy words he spoke, but I can’t deny it’s a large factor. To add to it, he helped fund the rest of the kids’ soccer uniforms with his own money,looked after Deat all afternoon and took him flyer dropping — something Deaton hasn’t been able to stop talking about. That and riding in Brad’s Porsche, of course. And today he picked him up after school and dropped him off here at the bakery for me.
How is it that I’m just noticing how freaking great he smells, how hot he is and what a nice guy he truly is under the suit and gruff exterior? Maybe it’s always been there, but I haven’t let it bubble up to the surface. I haven’t dated very successfully since my ex-husband left, not that I’ve been very active in trying to date, but the few I’ve been on never went anywhere. Being dumped by the man I trusted because he decided the responsibility was just too much, really set me back for many years to come. It’s why I moved back home. My parents took me in when I hit rock bottom and helped me build my way back up again while helping me raise Deaton too. It’s been a rough ride, but it’s all been worth it. And in hindsight, what happened between me and my ex was probably for the best. I wouldn’t have wanted to waste any more precious years being married to the wrong person, and Deaton and I have been doing just fine.
Yes, it shocked me a little when Brad mentioned the buddy day next week, mainly because Deaton hadn’t said anything to me about it, and we still haven’t had a chance to have a proper talk. He’s staying over at Leo’s house tonight. Leo and his mom picked Deaton up earlier after we got his overnight bag ready. Over the weekend I know I need to sit him down and have a good chat about the possibility of moving.
It’s sweet that Brad offered to help out and show up for Deaton. Other than my father, he hasn’t had that male influence much in his life. But he loves Brad, and he’s known him for most of his life, so it makes sense why Deat would want him there.
That’s the other thing about Brad,he loves my kid.There’s no two ways about it.
I swipe open my phone and click on the message.
Brad
Hey, Mama. What are you up to this fine evening?
I smile reading it and blow my bangs out of my eyes as I rest my head back on the wall. It was a quick hi and bye earlier when he dropped Deaton off and we said we’d message each other later.I’m supposed to be concentrating on work, but all I can think about is you.
I don’t type that, of course, it’s probably best for the both of us if I try to keep things above board. Lord knows, I went above and beyond my own limits yesterday, but I still stand by not letting Mindy get her greedy paws on Brad. He can joke all he likes about me protecting his honor, but once she got those hooks into him, who knows what could’ve happened. But then when I think about it, Brad isn’t the kind of guy to even let a woman get her hooks into him, I mean, not permanently anyway. He’s been the uncatchable bachelor around town for as long as I can remember, and something tells me he’s not about to quit now. Though, it has been months since I’ve really seen him out and about with anyone.
“You’re so fucking cute, do you know that?”He was so close to my skin I could feel the vibration of his words on the shell of my ear.“And the sexiest mom here, if do say so myself.”
I mean, he thinks I’m sexy? That’s gotta be a confidence boost if I ever heard one, it had me all lit up inside, and it still does now. Maybe he was just being nice, but Brad really isn’t like that. He tends to say what he really thinks. We’ve always been upfront and honest about everything.
I quickly type back
Me
Hey, I’m doing good, how about you? I’m still busy at the bakery about to be up to my eyeballs in bakery orders tonight
I keep gathering the things I need while I see the gray bubble appear. A few seconds later, his reply pops up.
Brad
That doesn’t sound like much fun. Maybe I could help?
I laugh a little at the thought of Brad rolling up his business shirt sleeves. But stranger things have happened, like seeing him in the soccer sweatsuit yesterday. He looked as hot as hell.
Me
Since when do you bake?
Brad
I’ve got skills you’ve never seen, Mama
I try to make light of it, but I don’t know if I’m digging a bigger hole for myself.
Me
I didn’t know you were that handy in the kitchen?
