31
“You’re sure you want to go to The Pancake Bar?”
“Is that so unbelievable?” Polly asked, looking up at Joel, a hint of a smile on her face.
“Didn’t he tell you that your croissants were so tough they could double as doorstops?”
“Well, yes?—”
“Thenyoutoldhimthat his coffee tastes like it’s been filtered through gym socks.”
“I was actually really proud of that comeback.” It had just slipped out, like she’d practiced it or something.
He shot her a glance from behind the wheel. “Usually, you pretend you hate his pancakes.”
“What can I say, I’m a changed woman.” Plus, everyone saw through that lie. Because who could actually hate Basil’s pancakes? No one. They were so good, she would bet every dollar she had that they were actually unhateable.
He squeezed her thigh. “Not too changed, I hope. I really like the Polly I know.”
“The one who called you a sexist asshat because you told me that lifting heavy boxes was a man’s job?”
“Yeah, that one. The one who’s not afraid to put me in my place and tell me when my attempts at flirting don’t come off the way I intend.”
“That was you flirting?”
“Thank God I have you now and don’t have to do that anymore.”
She chuckled.
He pulled up in front of The Pancake Bar. “I can smell the pancakes from here.”
“Can you smell my croissants from the parking lot too?”
Joel grinned and leaned over the middle console, hovering his lips an inch from hers. “Sunshine, I can smellyouand that fruity scent that teases my nose from a million miles away.”
“That’s sweet. But it’s not what I asked.” She turned and climbed out.
He caught up to her halfway to the door and slung an arm around her waist. “Did you just withhold a kiss from me?”
“I would never.” She stepped inside, and her smile widened at the sight of Maggie by the counter, talking to Maureen. “I’ll be back.”
She went to step away, but he grabbed her arm, tugged her back, and kissed her. A full swipe of his lips against hers. A taste of her tongue.
She moaned, falling into him. Getting lost in him.
When he lifted his head, she almost wanted to groan.
“Thatwas my kiss,” he breathed against her mouth, before heading over to where Ryan, Ethan, Zac, and Connor sat.
Argh. He didn’t fight fair.
Maggie looked up as Polly approached. “Hey! You look happy.”
“It’s been a good morning.”
Maureen turned toward her. “Polly, dear, how are you doing? It’s been a month now, right?”
“To the day.” She still couldn’t believe an entire month had passed since Cox had kidnapped her. “I’m doing really good though.”
