“Three of each, then.”
He pulled flaky golden-brown pastries from each side of the case. They looked identical to me, but I couldn’t wait to try them and find out the differences. He closed the lid on the box while Islid my debit card through the pay slot. “It’s your first visit, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” I accepted the box with a stack of napkins tucked into the side. “I’m Auburn and hopefully within a couple of months, I will be selling ice cream down the street.”
“Oh, I’ve seen your banner. I hope you will have fresh peach in summer. It’s my favorite, and it’s almost impossible to find.” He thrust out a hand. “I’m Vlad.”
“Nice to meet you. I will do fresh peach as long as I can get great fruit. Otherwise, it’s such a disappointment, isn’t it?”
“Ah, you get it. You’re going to be such a success. Maybe we can set something up so we can avoid the lines at each other’s shops. A back door handoff maybe?”
“I’m sure we can arrange something.” Holding up the box, I sniffed. “I can’t wait.”
“That’s a lot even for a bear,” he said, but before I could find out what he was, the person behind me tapped me on the shoulder. “Sorry, but my omega is pregnant and if I don’t get these back to him in about five minutes, I am blaming both of you.”
We apologized and I made my escape before anyone else in line could grow to hate me. I couldn’t afford to alienate the town before my doors even opened.
I arrived at those doors the same time Oakley did from the opposite direction. “Hi.” I held up the box. “Hope you haven’t had breakfast yet.”
“The Bun?” His smile spread across his face. “No, I don’t always eat first thing in the morning, but I’m hungry now.”
I had him sit at the card table, which I had managed to find a second chair for once I knew he was going to be helping me out. Then I dashed upstairs and made us each a coffee, grabbed a couple of plates, forks, and some paper napkins before returningto enjoy our breakfast and plan what we would be working on for our first day.
“The Bun is so incredible, isn’t it?” He helped himself to one of the pastries, which did have sausage when he broke it open. “Oh good. This is my favorite of his savory morning versions.”
“It’s my first time. How did you know which was savory because they look alike to me.” I peered into the box.
“It’s the pattern on the top.” He showed me how the swirl was clockwise on one and counterclockwise on the other. “See? He only does two in the morning and two in the afternoon, and what they are varies from day to day. He doesn’t say what they are either, but if someone questions, he will ask if they have an allergy or something they hate, and let them know if they shouldn’t order then.”
“Sounds kind of magical.”
“Everything about Vlad is magical.” He settled in to enjoy his breakfast, making little happy sounds when he finished one pastry and took a sweet. “Apple walnut. Mmmm.” Feeding this omega could become a habit.
Chapter Eight
Oakley
Working two jobs wasn’t for the faint of heart. I’d worked three when I was a teenager, to save up for my first car, but I wasn’t a teenager anymore. Despite being a shifter, my bones and muscles reminded me of that fact this morning.
But my bear was pleased as could be about all the time we were spending with… Well, he called Auburn my mate. I wasn’t quite there yet. The thought had occurred to me, almost once a minute.
I’d worked with Auburn that morning. We’d finally got the floors finished, and just in time. The freezers that would hold the finished gallons of ice cream, ready for scooping, would be delivered that afternoon. I was almost sad knowing I wouldn’t be there.
Every morning when I came to work, Auburn brought breakfast. At first it was pastries and things from a local place but, more and more lately, he’d brought homemade food. It made my bear happy to eat food his alpha had made for us.
His alpha. I was still getting used to that. He’d never once called Mason his alpha. In fact, he had gone somewhat dormant for most of that relationship. I now realized why.
Mason was never meant for us.
That was a hard fact to face. I’d devoted myself to Mason and our relationship for years. Pouring myself into him at the expense of myself. Giving and giving and giving, often denying myself in the process.
But, with Auburn, it was different. He paid me daily, and it all went into my savings. He paid well too.
“Daisy brought coffee brownies in today. They’re in the break room.”
I stopped checking the plants and turned to see Tim. “Her brownies should win awards or have a warning label. I’m not sure which. I’ll go grab one as soon as I’m done here.”
Tim chuckled. “What are you talking to them about today?”
