He hums a quiet laugh. “Congratulations.”
I open the order and all the excitement halts. Oh. It’s from him. He bought the Heston U Hockey and Heston Lake themed sticker packs.
“Why didn’t you say anything while I was jumping around freaking out?” I cover my flaming face.
“Because you’re cute when you’re excited. I wanted to be your first order.” He gives me a dimpled smile while slipping his phone in his back pocket. “I had to support you.”
Warmth overflows within me. “Oh. Thank you.”
I put up the posts I drafted to announce my official opening to the social media accounts I made for Sweet Luxe. I also share them to my personal pages. Sales come in from my friends and family, along with texts to wish me congratulations.
“Okay, done.” I beam at Cole. “I’m all yours.”
His gaze snaps to me, eyes burning with an intensity that makes my stomach dip. We drift closer, lured by a taut invisible thread.
The moment breaks when Mom pulls into the driveway. She waves.
“Need help bringing in the groceries?” he offers, already grabbing a heavy bag for her.
“Yes, thank you,” she says. “I’m making chili tonight. Want to stay for dinner? I bet you kids are cold from being outside all day.”
He glances at me when he answers. “Sounds great. Thanks Mrs. Lombard.”
After we finish, we get back to work on the camper. While we’re looking up the flooring we need to replace, my phone goes off again. Twice. Three times. My features go slack when I find more orders, this time from people I don’t know.
I didn’t expect to get any sales when I launched. Cole proved me wrong about that, but I wasn’t sure if I’d get more from customers that don’t know me at all.
“Someone just ordered a pair of my french fry earrings!” I gush.
He slings an arm around my shoulders to give me a side hug. “That’s awesome.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“I can.”
My attention darts up from my phone. His eyes rove my face. I swear they land on my mouth for a beat before darting away. It’s funny how easy it is to act as we normally do, as though nothing’s changed. At the same time, the slightest touches are charged with an undercurrent of enticement.
“Never doubted you for a second. You’re amazing.”
His sincere stare pierces my heart. I’m at a loss for words. The best I manage is a wobbly smile.
He steps away, stealing all my air. It takes a moment to recover from dizziness.
Light snow flurries begin to fall. I tip my head back, closing my eyes.
It’s really happening. I don’t know if I’d be here without the people in my life pushing me to start my own business.
There’s a long way to go, but the possibility of growing it floods me with incandescent emotions. My dreams feel within reach, all I have to do is believe in myself to have the courage to make them come true.
SLUTTY MIDNIGHT MUSINGS
COLE
12:48AM
MightyPuck:Have you ever been so tired that you’re weirdly horny for no apparent reason? Like I’m about to crash on my pillows but I’m wishing they were a nice rack like yours. They would make the perfect pillows.
CraftyCutie:Wow, you’re up late.
