“Don’t I know it,” I mumble, embarrassed by the extra attention I seem to be attracting from the other women. They’re all customers of the café who deserve prompt service and a friendly smile. How else should I behave?
Sophie continues to shoot me salty glowers for the remainder of the morning, which I’m not sure how to interpret. Does that mean she might like me, just a little, as Cassia seems to be implying? Cassia is her best friendand knows her better than anyone else, so perhaps I should take comfort in her advice, but I can’t.
By one-thirty the café is beginning to thin out, and I hang up my apron. “I’m heading over to the bakery now.”
“Thanks for all the help today,” says Cassia. Nash steps out of the kitchen long enough to say thanks, but Sophie doesn’t reemerge.
I pull open the back door, my shoulders slumped with dejection; even the warm sunshine doesn’t cheer me up. I recall Doc Demetrius’s advice to tell Sophie she’s my fated mate, but given how often I annoy her, I don’t think that’s wise.
The truth is I want Sophie to fall for me;I want her tochoose me. Until that happens—if it happens—I won’t burden her with my needs and the depth of my feelings.
I never want Sophie to feel guilty because she doesn’t love me back.
Chapter 22
Like Bees to Nectar
SOPHIE
Thursday, July 12
“This is ridiculous!” I hiss into Cassia’s ear, who nods in agreement as we stare at the long line of customers, mostly women, waiting for a table at the café.
“I know,” she whispers. “Teddy draws the ladies like bees to nectar.” We’ve been run ragged for the past week as word has spread about the handsome werewolf bussing tables at my parents’ restaurant. With so many women batting their eyelashes at Teddy or giggling at everything he says, you’d think his head would puff up as much as his biceps. But not Teddy; he’s as humble as ever… and he doesn’t flirt back.
I can confirm this because I watch many of those interactions closely; a few times he’s caught me in the act of scowling at a particularly aggressive flirt, and he gives me a gentle smile that heats up my insides like the flames of a Wisconsin bonfire. But I just nod curtly andtry not to notice the fleeting sadness in his sea-blue eyes at my coldness.
I have no choice; I need to maintain our arm's-length relationship for the time being. Rafe sent me one more text this week, and my stomach twists every time I read it.
“Hey, that’s a great suggestion. Even a loner like me enjoys an occasional sniff and tussle. I look forward to meeting up with your employee and your cousin sometime. See you at Pru and Vreeland’s shower.” Rafe added a couple of kissy face emoticons that made me gag.
Given Rafe’s subtle threat toward Jake, I can’t confide in him either. Jake would probably track down Rafe and have it out with him. While I’m certain my cousin would prevail, a defeated Rafe would have even more reason to pound on Teddy for revenge.
All I can do is continue to tell Rafe I’m not interested, and hope he finds some other girl to obsess over soon.
Great stars above! At least Rafe has cured me of bad boys for good.
I just hope by the time Rafe moves on, Teddy can forgive me for being so cool and aloof, especially given the long hours he’s putting in to finish the bakery.
Teddy lightly taps my shoulder after the lunch rush; when I spin around, our eyes lock, and the golden flecks around his blue irises darken. He gives me a tentative smile, like he’s afraid I might bite his head off for touching me, and I feel lower than an eel’s belly. I wish I could tell Teddy why I’ve been especially prickly lately, but until I speak with Rafe at the shower tomorrow night, I don’t want to take any chances. I’m hoping Rafewill move on after I reiterate, once again, that we won’t be dating.
“I’m heading to the bakery now. Come as soon as you can—I have a surprise, well actually, two surprises!” says Teddy.
I can’t help myself; I break into a grin at his boyish enthusiasm.
“I’ll see you as soon as I check on my mother,” I tell him. Mom came home from the hospital a few days ago, and Granny’s been looking after her while Dad’s at work. My mom will gradually resume her duties at the café; her doctors expect a full recovery within the next month.
Teddy nods. “Of course. I’ll be there until six.”
I cock an eyebrow. “What happens at six?”
“I have my first exam tonight at the fire station. And I spoke with Jake about my schedule; he says the only time my volunteer duties would interfere with bakery hours is if there’s an active fire and all hands are needed.” Teddy’s eyes sparkle with excitement. What is it with guys and bright, red, fire engines? “Er… I hope that’s okay?”
“Of course it’s okay. Riddle Hill needs dedicated firefighters.”
Teddy nods. “Exactly. I knew you’d say that, but Rob didn’t think you’d be so… um… accommodating.”
“Oh really?” I snort. “Tell Rob he doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does.”
