“Okay. Thank you.” She smiles. Just then, the bell rings overhead. Tessa walks in and looks at both of us before her eyes find me.
“Hey! You cool now? Or you still chewing everyone’s head off?” Tess is a wild card. I groan. That’s the last way I need Stella to see me. I don’t want her thinking I’m some grumpy asshole.
“Was he okay with you?” she asks Stella even though I’m sure Tess has no idea who she is and probably thinks she’s just a customer.
“Uh, excuse me?”
“He’s been a total bear all day!” Tessa’s eyes move to the counter, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. “Really? You didn’t help and take her order?” She turns to Stella, who nowlooks like she doesn’t know whether to laugh or be scared. “I am so sorry about him. Have you been waiting long?” Tess asks but doesn’t let Stella answer. “Let me wash my hands, and I got you.” She smiles and winks at Stella, and Stella laughs.
Her laughter makes me feel… happy.
It’s soft and melodious. Almost sounds like the bell over my shop door. And now I know I’ll only ever think of my girl’s laugh when someone walks in.My girl? Melodious?Jesus. Have I been hit in the head?
“Oh, umm, thank you. I should probably take something to their house, huh?” She looks up at me with wide green eyes that remind me so much of my favorite ice cream flavor.
“I’ll pack it.” I quickly spring into action, and I know both of them are looking at me, so I introduce them. “Tess, this is Stella, Camila’s best friend,” I share. Tessa’s eyes go wide, and she shoots me a look, letting me know I gotta give her more info later.
It’s scary how well we know one another.
“Hey! Stella! Yes! Cami has told us so much about you!” She shakes Stella’s hand, and Stella blushes. “She’s seriously missed you. I’m Tessa, by the way. This guy’s best friend and business partner.” I shoot her a glance and roll my eyes.
Tessa seriously never quits when she has something in her head. And this is her new thing. She wants to be my business partner so we can open a new location a couple towns over.
“I’ve missed her, too,” Stella notes softly. There’s something in her gaze that makes me frown. She shakes her head as if getting rid of whatever thought made her momentarily sad, before meeting my eyes. “So, what’s good?” she asks as she looks at the breads behind the counter, and when our eyes meet, she licks her lips.
“Camila loves the banana bread,” I point out, and Tessa says something under her breath. “I recommend the cranberry walnut sourdough.” I point to the new loaf I added to the menu.
“Okay. I’ll have a loaf of each, a dozen assorted muffins, and—“She looks around, and her eyes widen when she’s notices the fresh cinnamon rolls. “Half a dozen of those.” She points, and I nod, making quick work of packing her order.
“Anything else?” I ask. She shakes her head. Her hair moves back and forth and completely mesmerizes me.
“No, thank you. How much do I owe you?” I shake my head. Her eyes widen.
“It’s on the house,” I tell her because there’s no way I will take money from her.
“I couldn’t?—“
“You can and you will.” I wink and turn to Tess, who’s pretending to wipe down the tabletops of the couple of tables we have for customers who like to hang and eat here. “Tess, I am going to drive Stella over to Reed’s place.”
“Oh.” I swear her brows hit her hairline, and if I weren’t so on edge, needing to be alone with Stella again, I would laugh. Thankfully, she recovers from her own surprise quickly and nods. “That’s good,” she says with a knowing grin, crossing her arms in front of her. Yeah, she’s loving this, and I am going to, too
“You okay closing?” I ask and again take Tess off kilter. Her eyes widen as she realizes I plan on staying out for the rest of the day, but she quickly hides it. I don’t blame her. I’ve never left early. Not once since we opened the doors a couple years ago.
“I got it, boss!” she assures me before turning her attention to my girl. “Stella, it was really great meeting you. I hope we can hang out. Maybe we can all go get drinks.”
“All but Camila,” Stella corrects, and they laugh softly since Cami is expecting my niece or nephew. “I’d like that,” my girladds, and I frown. I don’t want her going to the brewery or the biker bar in town unless I’m next to her, and even then, I know I’ll be fucking tense worrying about every man in there checking her out. Coveting what’s mine. Coveting what’s mine? Jesus, what is it with me today?
“How long are you planning on staying in our little mountain town?” Tessa asks, and I swear I could kiss her for it. I want her to say forever.
“I’m not really sure,” Stella answers. I feel my frown growing into a scowl.Damn it.
Why isn’t she sure?
Why didn’t she say she would stay forever? With me?
2
STELLA TORRES
