As Teddy made his way around the shop, I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he took measurements and wrote down notes for the bakery’s remodel. Every now and then, our eyes would meet and I could feel a spark of attraction between us. I quickly averted my gaze, my cheeks flushed warm with embarrassment over being caught gaping at him.
Getting anything accomplished while he was here was a lost cause. I found myself daydreaming about what it would be like to run my fingers through his thick beard. Would the hair be coarse, or did he condition it so it was almost as soft as the hair on his head? And those arms... I’d do some pretty sketchy shit to feel them holding me tight. I bet he gave the type of hugs that made the rest of the world fall away.
I shook my head, trying to refocus on my tasks. This was just business, I reminded myself. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t seem to pull my thoughts out of the gutter.
After a while, Teddy approached me with his notepad, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Can I get your input on something?”
“Sure,” I replied, eager for any excuse to be near him. “What do you need?”
He pointed to a sketch he had drawn, indicating the area where the cash register and display case were located. “I was thinking of expanding this area slightly to give you more room for displaying your pre-packaged cookies and such. What do you think?”
I studied the sketch, finding myself impressed by the way he’d gone beyond rough sketches to add the smallest details. “Sounds good to me. It would definitely be an improvement over the limited space we have right now.”
He grinned, seeming happy that I liked his suggestion. “Great, I’ll make a note of that. I think it’ll improve the flow of the space.”
As Teddy turned back to his notepad, I couldn’t resist the urge to ask him about something more personal. “So, Teddy, what do you like to do when you’re not working on renovations or woodworking projects?”
He looked up from his notes, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Well, I enjoy hiking and being outdoors. I also tinker with old cars. I have a 1964 pickup that my dad and I fixed up when I was a teen. I don’t pull it out except when I take it to car shows, but that project turned into one hell of an expensive hobby.”
“Wow, you’re a jack of all trades. I don’t know the first thing about cars beyond how to drive them and what I think looks nice, but I do like being outside. Not that I get time for it much.” Later that night, I’d replay our exchange, obsessing over whether Teddy thought I was pathetically trying to get him to invite me out sometime. And maybe I was. It wasn’t like I had a ton of dating experience.
As we talked, Teddy’s eyes would occasionally meet mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity pass between us. I couldn’t help but wonder if he felt it too.
Finally, Teddy announced he had all the measurements he needed and rolled the notebook before tucking it into his back pocket. “Thanks for letting me come by. I want to get started on some of the built-in pieces over the weekend.”
“I can’t wait to see them,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “And thanks for your hard work. I know the bakery will be in good hands with you.”
He flashed me a warm, genuine smile, and for a moment, I felt as if time stood still. “You’re welcome. I can’t wait to see it come together. I’ll see you soon.”
As Teddy left the bakery, I felt an odd mixture of happiness and regret. I was thrilled to be working with him, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my growing attraction to him would complicate matters.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening again. I looked up to see Jasper entering the bakery. “Glowing…”
“Shut up.” I threw a dish towel at him, watching as it fell to the floor more than a dozen feet short of its mark. “You keep that up and I won’t let you try the new key lime coconut donuts I was playing around with this morning.”
“Ugh. You’re so mean to me.” Jasper hopped onto one of the stools at the counter. “Fine. I’ll behave but only because you know how to keep me in line.”
I rolled my eyes at Jasper’s dramatics, though a small smile played on my lips. “I’ll get one for you.”
I disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, returning with a plate holding a donut mounded with toasted coconut on top. Jasper’s eyes widened in delight as I set them down in front of him.
“You are a magician, Shiloh,” he said, taking an appreciative bite. “This is divine.”
As he savored his dessert, I leaned against the counter. “To what do I owe a second visit in a day? Just the promise of a free treat, or are you on a gossip fishing expedition?”
He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Can’t it be both? I saw Teddy come by for another visit and figured I’d see if the two of you were going for another non-date.”
I sighed, feeling my cheeks heat up. “It wasn’t a date, Jasper. And he came by to take measurements. You know, that thing contractors do before they start working.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face. “Right, sure. But you can’t deny there’s something between you two. The way you look when you mention his name... I’m just saying, there’s definitely something other than a remodel going on here.”
I hesitated, not sure how to respond. Was it that obvious that I was catching feelings for Teddy? “It’s... complicated, Jasper. He’s here to do a job, and I don’t want to mess that up by crushing on him.”
Jasper reached over and patted my hand gently. “Shiloh, you deserve happiness. And if there’s even a chance that Teddy could be a part of that, don’t you owe it to yourself to explore it?”
I couldn’t deny the truth in his words, but the fear of jeopardizing the renovation still lingered in my mind. “I don’t know, Jasper. I’ve gotten this far in my life by not thinking with my dick. Starting now feels like a really bad idea. Like, what if I pursue him and he’s not interested? Or he is, but then he realizes I’m not as experienced as he is in bed? And it couldn’t be more than just sex because I’m too busy here. Hell, the only reason we’re getting to know one another is me needing more space. I highly doubt I’ll suddenly have time for a boyfriend once the renovation is done.”
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I get it. As your friend, I’m going to say one more thing and then I’ll leave it be. I worry about you, Shiloh. You’re so focused on seeing the bakery succeed that you ignore the rest of your life. You deserve to have a personal life that’s just as fulfilling as the bakery. Promise me you’ll at least consider following whatever it is you’re feeling, okay?”
