“Hmm, well, I can fix that. Come on.” I grabbed the cart, knowing he would follow. I didn’t think everyone needed to know more about our business. I didn’t stop until we were back at the car, and I popped the trunk and began unloading. I could feel Kian’s presence beside me, but he didn’t speak, simply began helping load up the trunk. When we were done and I straightened and faced him, it took a second, but Kian finally looked up at me.
“So lunch,” I said. “Your treat?”
“If we have to go back to the ranch, there’ll be no point coming back to town, and we need to get these in the fridge and freezer.” He nodded at the groceries.
Since he didn’t actually say no, I took it to mean he didn’t mind having lunch with me.
“I’ll take that as a yes?” I pulled my phone out and held it so he could see. He still didn’t say no, and I could see in his eyes that he was confused by his reaction.
“If that’s the only way you’ll let me contribute,” Kian said softly. Our gazes held for a moment, and I let myself get lost in those gorgeous eyes. He looked away first and whispered, “Someone is on the line.”
“Huh?” I asked, confused.
“Your phone. Someone answered.” He nodded at my hand.
“Oh, right.” I lifted it to my ear. “Bay, do me a favor—send someone over to pick up the Land Rover and bring a replacement for me. There’s groceries in the trunk. Please have them put away at Rhys’s. We’ll be at Holly’s.”
“And what, pray tell, has you lingering in town when there’s work waiting on your desk?” There was amusement in Bailey’s voice, and suspicion.
“Bailey,” I growled.
“You know I find it interesting that you avoid the office because of our lovely newest staff member, but then suddenly, you seem to be taking the day off to spend time with him.” She clucked her tongue. “Yes. It’s all very interesting.”
“Baileyyy.” I drew out her name in warning, but the problem with someone knowing you as long as she had was they really weren’t scared of you.
“You know if I was a nosy sort, I would wonder. I would wonder if maybe the reason you were avoiding our new human”—she emphasized the word—“coworker had something to do with the fact he is your ma—”
“Bailey,” I snapped before she could say the word.
“It’s all very interesting, you know, but of course I will have a car sent over while I ponder just how interesting things are…”
Was it possible to hate the wordinteresting? I sighed because I knew I was in for an inquisition in the very near future.
When I finally hung up, my mate’s eyes were on me. “If you have to get back to work, I understand,” he said, nibbling on his bottom lips nervously.
Fuck, did he know what he did to me?
“I don’t have to be anywhere but at lunch,” I assured him. “With you,” I added for good measure.
I could swear a small smile appeared on his lips.
I led my mate back to the passenger side and opened the door for him. When he was seated and belted, I closed the door and walked over to my side. Before entering the car, I drew in a breath and told my bear, and myself, not to fuck this up for us.
* * *
Since it was justpast three p.m., I found myself hoping Holly’s wouldn’t be packed at this time.
The café was one of my favorites places to eat when I came into town, and for some reason, it was one of the first places I thought to share with my mate.
Also, I knew that I wouldn’t run into one of my brothers here. Rhys was at the factory or more likely the brewery since he’d been working on expanding it with Graham. Graham was probably at the café or his office at the factory where their Crazy Bear baked goods were made and packaged. Of all my brothers, I had to worry the least about Graham. He was way too busy. Even Papa had complained.
Austin would be at his office in town hall and Hunter at the station or the diner since that was where his mate was—not that my brother was having much luck there. So I should be good on having to explain anything…at least until I got home.
Not that I didn’t want to claim Kian to anyone I could.
“Gabe, good to see you, son.” Lars’s booming voice welcomed us as we walked into Holly’s.
“Lars, how’s things?” I asked, smiling at the older man I’d known all my life.
