“You can do whatever you’re doing inside, Bails. You and Emma can make yourselves comfortable in a quiet corner. I won’t get in the way.”
“But you’re closing soon.”
“I don’t mind. If you haven’t finished by closing time, I’ve got some stuff to do that’ll keep me busy for a while.”
Bailey hugged himself, shivering against the cold, and Tom could sense him wavering. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m very sure.”
“I’ll see if Emma agrees—she’s still a bit shy. But if she does we’ll come in. Thanks.”
“Great. I’ll get back inside. If it’s past closing time when you’re ready, come in the back door. I’ll leave it unlocked. Don’t be long.”
“Yes, sir.” Bailey gave a mock salute.
Tom grinned as he jogged back up the driveway, happy to think that Bailey would be inside soon. And when Bailey and Emma were eventually settled on the sofa, hunched over a book, Bailey totally engrossed in listening to Emma, Tom’s chest tightened. The emotions that filled him as he watched Bailey were feelings he hadn’t expected, at least not so soon. But as he made them mugs of hot chocolate, he couldn’t deny that his feelings for Bailey were growing by the day.
* * *
Things settled in to a new routine and Tom found himself smiling more and more each day. Now instead of coming downstairs each morning bleary-eyed from long days on his feet and equally long evenings baking or doing paperwork, he was full of energy. Tom wasn’t sure where the energy came from given he wasn’t getting any more sleep each night, and could only put it down to his positive mindset. Business was picking up, and more importantly, he now had Bailey’s company to look forward to most afternoons. They’d been on a few dates—nothing formal, just a few meals and a movie—and hung out in Tom’s apartment, but Tom got just as much pleasure from watching Bailey sitting with Emma, whose head was usually bent over a book as it was right now. They’d been in a couple of times this week.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might need sustenance.”
Emma looked up, her eyes widening as Tom placed the plate of Portuguese tarts on the table. “Wow. They look awesome.”
Tom gestured to the plate. “Help yourself, Emma. You too, Bailey.”
Tom could see the hesitation in Bailey. He had no doubt that Bailey was weighing up the cost of the sweet custard tarts, because over the weeks he’d noticed Bailey didn’t appear to have a lot of cash to spare. He seemed to consider what he was purchasing when buying his lunch at Take Two, and often went for the daily specials. He most certainly didn’t treat himself to the items from Tom’s cake display cabinet.Or maybe he just doesn’t like sweet things?Nah, Tom knew that wasn’t right because he’d seen Bailey’s reaction to chocolate muffins—chocolate anything, really. Thank goodness, because he loved to tempt Bailey with treats.
There was no such hesitation in Emma. She grabbed a tart and it disappeared into her mouth within seconds. Tom couldn’t help smiling. She’d come out of her shell so much, even in the short time Tom had been observing her, something he was sure Bailey had a lot to do with.
“On the house.” Tom shoved the plate closer to Bailey before perching himself on the arm of the sofa. He glanced around the cafe to make certain all his customers were happy before addressing Emma. “So how’s it going? Having fun?”
Emma shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess. Bailey says I’m doing okay—”
“That’s because youaredoing really well,” Bailey interrupted.
“I’msoooslow.” Emma’s eyes were downcast, but she brightened when she looked back up. “But Bailey says he doesn’t mind and I need to keep practicing. I like reading out loud. When I do it in my head I lose patience and want to stop reading, but Bailey won’t let me give up. He makes me finish the chapter.”
Bailey chuckled. “Of course I won’t let you give up. I need to know what happens in the end.”
Emma rolled her eyes, but Tom could see she appreciated that Bailey didn’t make the reading all about her, expressing an interest in the stories too.
“What are you reading?” Tom asked, genuinely keen to know what the two of them were so engrossed in. The book was open on Emma’s lap, clearly a large print book, the text oversized and the words clear on the page.
“It’s calledThe Book Thief. Have you heard of it? It’s the story of a girl in Germany back in the war. She steals books and shares them with other people so they have something to read.”
“I haven’t heard of it but it sounds interesting.”
“You can borrow it after we’ve finished if you want?” Emma offered with a smile. She flicked her gaze to Bailey. “I mean… umm… it’s really Bailey’s book.”
“It’s okay. You can keep it or lend it or give it away. I bought the book for you, Emma. It’s yours to do anything you want with. And when you finish this one, we can get another.”
She looked at Bailey, the hero worship evident in her eyes. It was great to see them interacting—the encouragement from Bailey, his obvious happiness at helping out, and the amazement from Emma at everything Bailey was doing. Tom gave in to the urge, bending to place a kiss on the top of Bailey’s head. “You’re amazing,” he murmured against the soft strands of his hair, taking a moment to discreetly inhale Bailey’s scent.
Bailey tilted his head up and their eyes met. “Erm….” Bailey squirmed.
God, he’s hopeless at taking a compliment.Tom made it easy for him and changed the subject. “When you’ve finished here, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
