What was he doing here? I grabbed my bottle of water and sipped. Was he a VIP customer coming to pick up an order? Or was he stalking me?
“Hi, boss!” Bianca exclaimed. “You’re early.”
Boss? Austin owned No Name Bakery? My heart thundered as I tried to find a place to hide.
Don’t be ridiculous.
Why would he own a bakery? How had I not known about this?
This was so awkward, especially after our text messages after the theft incident. Though I couldn’t be friends withmy exes, I could be friendly. Ihadto be if I wanted to keep this job. I needed the money for my mom’s bracelet.
I inhaled and exhaled, trying my best to calm myself. Of all the surprises I’d encountered recently, this had to take the prize.
“I heard the bunny bread is selling like hotcakes,” he said. “Where’s the baker?”
Ugh.
“She’s in the lunchroom,” Bianca said as Donna called her for assistance.
“Go take care of the customer. I know where the lunchroom is.”
Footsteps approached, and nerves churned even more. I glanced at the storage closet. How long could I hide in there before Bianca started looking for me? I cursed myself for the pathetic idea. Why should I be afraid of him? I had nothing to be ashamed of.
He made you feel unworthy.
The admission stopped my breath. I was a confident woman, so I shouldn’t let a man determine my worth. His breakup had shattered my heart and belief in myself. The unexpected blow hurt me to the core. I thought we had something special—something solid and unshakeable. But he left me for a woman with status and influence.
I rose, getting ready to leave when he stepped into the room, wearing a three-quarter length wool coat and dark pants. His presence took the air out of the room. Or maybe it was me not being able to breathe properly.
“Hi.” Austin smiled, the blue in his eyes sparkled. Nothing had changed on his handsome face, except the lines between his eyebrows had deepened.
“Hello,” I said, trying to be courteous to myboss. “You own this bakery?”
He nodded, studying me. Heat bloomed all over my body.
Stop staring at me.
When he didn’t reply, I asked. “Why? You don’t have enough to do at Tanner Properties?”
“I do.” A smirk crept onto his lips. “But this is a passion project of mine.”
I wanted to ask so many questions, but it wasn’t my business. Apparently, I didn’t know him at all. I dated a stranger for two years. He’d been in love with another woman while he was dating me. He had a passion project I didn’t know about. I’d been so blind and stupid.
He probably saw something in my eyes and said, “Bianca tells me your bread is a big hit. I’m glad you’re here.”
I didn’t know how to reply. My mother taught me courtesy never hurts anyone.
“Thank you.” I walked over toward the trash bin, slipped on something on the floor, and fell backwards.
Austin caught me, but he also slipped. We both toppled onto the kitchen tiles, with him holding on to me, making sure I was on top of him.
“Are you okay?” he asked as his warm breath tickled my ear.
The musky cologne snuck up my nose. I didn’t sneeze. The scent took on a distinct scent when it was on him.
“Yes. You?” I pushed myself up and looked at the wet floor and followed the trail. “Oh no, the sink’s leaking.”
He got up and winced, rubbing his shoulder.
