“No problem.” The older man winked and walked off to help the other customers. It took me a moment before I realized he’d been teasing Teddy.
Teddy saw the shock on my face and chuckled as he reached across the table for my hand. “Don’t mind him. One of the hazards of living in a small town is everyone thinks they have a right to butt into everyone’s business.”
Teddy shouldn’t have worried. I liked that Jon had seen fit to address us as the same way he would have any other couple. It still stunned me that two gay guys could be so easily accepted but being treated like any other couple was refreshing.
I wondered if that was part of Teddy’s issue. I knew he and his ex were one of the first openly gay couples in town so it would make sense if they were met with resistance in the early days. “Hey, I’m not upset. It’s refreshing to live somewhere that a gay couple is treated like everyone else.”
Teddy took my free hand in his and looked into my eyes with a soft intensity. “So... are we a couple?”
My heart thumped against my chest. Taking the plunge seemed simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating, yet somehow right too. “Maybe not yet, but we could be eventually?”
The statement came out as more of a question than a statement.
Teddy’s eyes sparkled with warmth and the beginnings of a smile. “I like the sound of that.”
After dinner, we made our way to the library room. Tonight, the space was lit with the warm glow of electric candles and hurricane lamps that complemented the comfortable seating to create an intimate atmosphere. It was even more magical than the first time Teddy brought me back here.
As we entered the library, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of serenity wash over me. It was the perfect place to continue our conversation away from the lively hum of the main bar area. “Why do they keep this room if no one’s ever back here?”
“That’s not true. We’re here, aren’t we?” Teddy stood behind me as I perused the shelves, pulling a couple down and flipping through the pages. It felt silly but I needed to do something with my hands so I didn’t shove him into a chair and drop to my knees.
“I meant besides us.” I tucked the books under my arm and crossed the room. “It just seems like a waste to have someone clean back here and turn on all the little lamps.”
“Just because we don’t see anyone else doesn’t mean no one else uses the room. This is only the second time we’ve been here,” he pointed out. I followed him to a sitting area in the corner.
We settled into a plush sofa, our shoulders touching as I flipped through the books again. The closeness was comforting, and I found myself leaning into Teddy’s warmth. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer, and I rested my head on his chest.
“You know, I never thought I’d find someone who made me feel so at ease,” Teddy admitted, his voice soft and tender. “When I first met you, I wasn’t sure what to think. You were this odd ball of energy who obviously hated needing help from anyone. You intrigued me but I wasn’t ready to put myself out there. I’m glad Waylon stepped in to recommend me for your remodel.”
“Me too, Teddy,” I replied, looking up into his eyes. “I didn’t know how much I needed someone like you in my life until you were here. I feel like I can be myself around you, and that’s I’ve never felt before. I was always worried about what guys would think of me so I steered clear. I’m sorry I imposed that stupid rule about waiting until you weren’t working for me.”
“I’m not.” Teddy brushed a stray lock of hair from my face and smiled. “You’re an incredible person. I feel lucky to know you and to be part of your life. Waiting gave both of us the opportunity to get to know the other without sex getting in the way.”
As we continued to talk, time seemed to stand still. We discussed everything from our favorite books and movies to our dreams and aspirations. I felt a connection with Teddy that I hadn’t experienced before, and it left me feeling both vulnerable and exhilarated.
Finally, as the evening began to wane, we knew it was time to leave our peaceful sanctuary. Teddy stood and offered me a hand, helping me to my feet. Our fingers remained entwined as we made our way back through the bar and out into the cool night air.
The streets of Harmony Grove were quiet and peaceful as we walked hand in hand, the moon casting a gentle glow over the quaint storefronts. As we approached my bakery, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness that our evening was coming to an end.
“Thank you for tonight,” I said, pausing in front of the bakery. “I had a wonderful time, and I hope we can do it again soon.”
“I’d like that,” Teddy agreed, his eyes meeting mine in the dim light. “I had a great time too. We’ll make sure it’s the first of many.”
Teddy’s gaze burned into me as he inched closer. His lips, invitingly soft and moist, brushed against mine in a passionate kiss that awakened my senses and sent a sultry wave of pleasure coursing through my veins. As our tongues danced together and explored the contours of each other’s mouths, I could feel electricity sparking between us and knew deep down that this was only the beginning of something truly extraordinary.
“Goodnight, Shiloh,” Teddy whispered, his breath warm against my cheek.
“Goodnight, Teddy,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper.
As he turned to leave, I watched him walk away with a mixture of happiness and anticipation. Our journey together was just beginning, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would take us.
10
SHILOH
“What in theworld’s gotten into you?” Lacey asked the next morning. When I turned to ask what she was talking about, the concerned look on her face told me she’d been trying to catch my attention. “Did you even realize you pulled the baking powder off the shelf instead of the soda?”
I glanced down at the counter and it was definitely the soda sitting in front of me. Before I could point out her mistake, she held up a hand to silence me. “You were in your own little world so I swapped them out. Seriously, you’re not usually a space cadet.”
