“And I want you to be…but well rested. I’m sure you’re going to want to do a million and one things while you’re there, so I want to give you ample time to do that.”
She blinks at me, skeptical, probably questioning my motives, but it’s good. It’ll keep her wondering, and that’s what I need.
Her mind on me.
All the time.
14
Sienna
The moment I wake up, my brain is buzzing with ideas.
I didn’t even think about breakfast or sleep, I’m already scribbling on a scrap of paper from the kitchen drawer, making lists and little sketches in the margins.
Ben’s going to take me to the bakery first, and I’ve been planning what I want to see, what I want to change, and what I want to make mine.
Before even seeing the place, because you know, that’s whatnormalpeople do.
When I slip downstairs, still in my pajamas but with my hair tied loosely back, Ben is already in the kitchen, casually leaning against the counter with a mug of coffee.
He looks up—his version of casual, which somehow makes my chest tighten.
“You’re up early,” he says, voice low but not sleepy.
“I couldn’t wait,” I admit, trying to hide my excitement. My fingers are clutching the paper like the ideas might fly off it. “I needed to see it first thing.”
“Figured you’d say that. We’ll eat at the bakery. You’re going to need energy if we’re touring the place and you’re running around like a tornado, checking cabinets, counters, floors, deciding on paint colors?—”
“Tornado?” I lift my chin. “I’m perfectly calm.”
“That’s the word that comes to mind.” He pushes off the counter, permitting his gaze to fall on my body without any shame. “You’re sonotexcited that you didn’t get dressed.”
“It’s just us, right?”
His eyes flick up to me. “It’s never just us, sweetheart. There’s always someone watching.”
I should be happy about that, right?
But the way he’s standing there, openly staring at me like he can’t stand not to…I don’t like how half my body is okay with that, while my mind struggles to get myself together.
“So, the next thing you’re going to tell me is to get dressed,” I deadpan, waiting for him to do just that.
“You’d be correct.”
Fine.
Quickly, I get upstairs, throw on a pair of jeans and the first t-shirt my fingers land on, and I’m back downstairs, following Ben to his car with my little paper still clenched in my hand.
His driver takes his sweet time. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to see what kind of building Ben bought for me and what I can do with it.
When we arrive, it all happens so fast. The bakery isn’t shiny or brand new, but it’s solid. A brick façade with a few cracks in the mortar, tall windows streaked with dust from years of neglect. The faded awning could use a scrub or maybe a replacement, but it’s charming in a way that makes me imagine what it could become.
I press my hand to the SUV glass, and I hear Ben chuckle a bit.
“We can go inside, princess.”
He doesn’t have to ask me twice.
