“I don’t know ifgetting alongis the right way to put it. We only talked briefly, but he offered me a job.” I let out a breathy laugh. “Can you believe it? Offering a stranger a job?”
“Yeah. I can.” He rolls his eyes. “All Theo ever talks about is work. That’s why I invite him here every damn weekend. He only shows up half the time, but at least I know he’s leaving that hipster office of his for once.”
I frown. “But is he always this generous?”
“He’s usuallymoregenerous. If he weren’t having such an off day, he probably would have offered to pay your whole damn tuition.”
“That’s… you’re being silly, Ev. He wouldn’t do that.” Those butterflies in my stomach are back. What are they doing there?
“Probably not, but you never know. The guy is loaded. He invested in the surf shop back when I first opened it. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Yeah. That sounds like him.”
Oh, as if I know the first thing about Theo Roche. That’s the name on his business card, but that’sallI know about him. Bring me to a convention of businessmen in business suits, and I wouldn’t be able to pick him out.
But he was sweet, funny, kind, and generous. Everett is right. He cares about the planet, which is rare for people in his position. I can’t think of something more generous than that.
These butterflies? These thoughts? This is why I can’t work for him. Not only will it take me from my baking—my passion, my life—but the last thing I need is to spend more time aroundhim. He’s far too charming—not in a typical way, but in a way that draws me in, like he’s handcrafted to be the sweetest distraction.
It doesn’t matter. There’s a reason he’s offering me a job instead of a date. There are a few reasons, actually. I’m already making a list in my mind.
First of all, he’s Everett’s friend. Wanting me would be against the friend code. I’m not oblivious to that.
But wait, there’s more! He’s attractive, older, and so successful. For all I know, he already has a partner. A man like him is probably dating models, not struggling bakers.
“Did you take it?” Everett asks, bringing me back to reality.
“What?”
“The job.”
“Oh.” I shake my head. “No. Of course, I didn’t take it. I don’t know the first thing about working in an office.”
“C’mon. You could learn. It’s an entry-level position.”
“I can’t believe you’re encouraging this. Like, I don’t know anything about paper.”
“You don’t need to know about paper. No one knows about paper.” He stands up and groans. “Well, Theo probably knows a thing or two, but he’s a freak. All he needs is someone to keep his schedule together. You can do that.”
“You really think so?” I bite the inside of my cheek and lower my head, wiping a wet cloth against the kitchen counter. I’ve already cleaned the spot three times.
“I know so. You’re the most organized, levelheaded person I know.” He gestures around. “Look at that. You couldn’t stop yourself from cleaning my kitchen. Cleaning up his calendar will be easy.”
“Oh,nowyou like that I’m cleaning.” I lean in, scrubbing a spot of dried frosting. How did I miss that? A huff passes through my lips. “I don’t know anything about forestry, either.”
“So?”
“That’s a big part of what he does.”
“Did he already talk your ear off or something?”
“No.” I shrug and hang the wet rag by the sink. “I may have done a little research.”
He grins. “Which means you’re thinking about it.”
“I’m not! I already have a flourishing career, thank you very much.” Sort of. “I’m happy with it. They said I can have my job back at the bakery as soon as I return.”
“You still have the rest of the summer to keep busy.”
