“Mae sounds amazing.”
“She is. I owe her everything.”
She leans on her elbows on the table. “You don’t strike me as a guy who only takes. What did she get from you? You were more than labor at the Baileys’. I can tell when you talk about them.”
She’s paid that close of attention?
There’s so much more to Elodie, but I wasn’t wrong. There’s something between us, and she tried to ignore it. I don’t want to be a pain in her ass, but I want her. All of her. All the tastiest parts that no one else gets.
That means I should give her all of me, but I’m not ready to give details about what a little shit I was. A kid who had nothing and had to fight for what he did have can end up that way. But yeah, I’ve learned gratitude since then—because I was overwhelmed with it when I moved to Bourbon Canyon. “I gushed over her food, and for Mae, that’s important. Feeding people is her love language.”
“She loved your compliments?”
“That and I ate every leftover there was.” I think back to my years working for the Baileys. “I was a hired hand, but I lived with Mae. I did whatever she asked me to, and for once in my life, I did it so someone could be proud of me. She expected the best from me and I gave it to her. Before that, no one could get past what my mom said or did to think I was capable of anything. Lane was forced to be more responsible, but we were both rough around the edges. His were just honed a little more.”
She contemplates me while chewing on the inside of her cheek. “I bet Mae’s really proud of you.”
A lump grows in my throat. Damn. That hits me in the feels. “I hope so.”
She’s looking at me like she’s never seen me before. “I was, unfortunately, very wrong about you.”
“Unfortunately?”
“For me, yes.” A small smile lifts her lips a moment before she shoves her chair back. “I need to get back. I have a lot tocatch up on, and Clem’s coming by later to help me get ready for the week.”
“When can I cook for you?”
She hesitates. Damn. I thought a second date was a sure thing. “I work every day.”
But the bakery closes every evening. There’s got to be some window of time—as long as she’s willing, and that’s what I’m not sure of. “Friday at six?”
“Isn’t there some big rafting-and-tasting thing this weekend?”
A delighted smile spreads across my face. “Sugar, are you keeping tabs on me?” I drawl.
She rolls her eyes, but a smile dances along her lips. “I have an order for the rafters, but I think Clem’s looking forward to the distillery being flooded with strapping men roughly her age.”
I shudder. “It’s like hearing a little sister is dating someone.”
“Now you know how I feel!” She chuckles and falls quiet, lifting her purse to her lap. I’m facing the aloof Elodie who used to wait on me.
She’s going to change her mind. She’s still not sure about me or about dating. Some cocksucker screwed her over and she’s going to continue to be the one paying for it.
She lifts her gaze and shyly meets mine. “It’s a date.”
CHAPTER SIX
Elodie
The week goes by so slowly. I’ve counted down each hour of every day. After our lunch, Cruz dropped me off, but he didn’t kiss me. I got a sweltering smile as he opened the passenger door so I could get out, and then he made sure I got inside okay before he drove off.
It was the middle of the day! What was I expecting? A smoldering kiss that would leave me in a puddle of need? As if I need a kiss to turn into needy goo. I should gauge my body’s reaction and backpedal fast and far. I cannot get swept away by thrill and anticipation and misplaced dedication.
I won’t. I’ll be careful. There’s more to Cruz than I thought, and I can’t resist finding out. Nothing might come of a few dates. He might decide I’m not it for him. I might decide he’s a batter I want to lick off the spoon.
I puff out a breath. The bakery closed a couple of hours ago, and I’m finishing up the decorations on the order for Sy’s Water Adventures. They’re offering treats to all the rafters upon their return before they bus them to the distillery.
I made cream cheese candy kayaks to put on the cupcakes, and I’m quite proud of them, but it set me behind. I have to be at Cruz’s in an hour. The frosting decoration on the cupcakes is a simple ombre swirl that goes from dark blue to light toward the top. A nod to the river they just explored.
