More like what I was thinking about was making me hard.
My sister comes over and sits on her husband’s lap with her own beer in hand.
“I think I’m done with this barbecue.” I pretend to move to stand.
Hella laughs, but I see it in her eyes. Her determination and the unrelenting curiosity about my life. “I hear your new helper is causing quite a stir in town.”
“He’s not my helper. He’s a full-fledged pastry chef and too good for this place.” I don’t know why I voice the worry that’s been on my mind since Constantine turned up. Well, apart from how fucking alluring he is.
“You think he’ll move on at some point?” my brother-in-law asks.
“I don’t know. His brother goes to the high school, but it’s only a matter of time until he gets a better offer. I pay himmore than I’ve ever paid anyone, but it’s definitely not what he’s worth.”
“Sorry, hun. That’s a tough situation,” Hella says. “He’s definitely worshipped in town. I was picking up the bread order for the restaurant from Liv at Lovely Buns and overheard the ladies from Sage’s craft group say that Constantine used to be a model. That was a creepy amount of giggling for a group of octogenarians.”
I don’t know if he’s ever modeled, but he certainly has the looks for it. Either way, he’s a talented baker, and I don’t know what I’ll do if he ever decides to move on.
The beer sours in my belly, so I put the bottle down.
“I’ll just have to make the most of having him for now. At least the work in my house is finally getting done. Not spending the weekends working on orders or shopping for the week has made a huge difference.”
Hella reaches over and squeezes my arm. She doesn’t need to speak for me to know what she’s not saying. A couple of years ago, our mom was in a bad relationship, and our two younger siblings moved in with me. Running Bittersweet and taking care of two teenagers was hard work. One more reason I really admire Constantine.
After Matty and Jules went to college, Mom moved away with another new boyfriend. Hella still feels guilty that she wasn’t able to help more, but Kellie was still a baby, and I had the space at home.
Hopefully, the cycle of toxic relationships and defining yourself by the person you’re with stops with our mother.
“You could always convince him to stay.”
I glance at Hella. “What do you mean?”
“Give him a reason to stay.”
“I can’t pay him more. At least not right now. I’m still paying off the kitchen remodel after the last fire.”
“Don’t play dumb with me, little brother.”
“What you are implying is unethical.”
“Only if he’s not willing. And the rumors in town…” She trails off, and the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.
“What rumors?”
She looks around to make sure no little ears can hear. “I overheard someone at the grocery store talk about you and Connie like you’re together. Like togethertogether.”
“What? That’s insane.”
She laughs. “Which part? That you work so well together that people make assumptions or that you don’t think you’d be good together?”
I open my mouth, but giving her anything would play into her trap, and I’m too old and wise for it.
Of course I think we’d be good together. Constantine is hard-working, kind, patient, and everything about him does it for me. People talking about us like they know something is up when nothing is up makes me uncomfortable.
“Okay, sis. Good talk, but I need to head back home. I have a sexy date with a paintbrush in my living room.”
She grumbles but puts together a box with leftovers and lets me head home without further prying.
I stroll back, enjoying the nice weather. And because I don’t have to go to Bittersweet like I usually do, I go through the park.
