I was pretty sure he was flirting with me, but I didn’t have a lot of experience to know for certain.
My mouth was suddenly dry, and I swallowed hard, unsure what to say next.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to.
“Who needs caffeine?” Lainey loudly asked as she came through the swinging doors with two mugs in her hand.
****
Alan
Damn Lainey. I’m going to have to talk to her about her timing.
I broke eye contact with Jess to look over at Lainey with a polite smile.
“I do!”
“Me, too,” Jess called as she returned to moving the rolling pin.
“I thought so.” She set Jessica’s mug on the table and announced, “Creamer, two sugars for you. And for you,” she handed me my mug. “One sugar and a splash of creamer.”
“How did you know that?” Jess asked with wide eyes.
“That’s my job. I pay attention to how people take their coffee.” She cast a glance my way when she continued, “Among other things.”
Funny, if you would have been paying attention, you wouldn’t have come back here.
Of course, I didn’t say that. It was her bakery, she could do whatever she wanted.
“It’s that attention to detail that keeps your customers coming back,” I replied with a grin. “Heck, I volunteered to drive Brian’s truck a thousand miles just for one of your homemade croissants.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure you did.”
“It was what kept me motivated on the drive, anyway.” I looked over at where Jess was carefully placing the slices of dough onto a baking pan. “But I think cinnamon rolls are now my favorite.”
“That’s good. Why don’t you help Jess with the next batch.” She raised her eyebrows, which I interpreted as a warning when she added, “So you know how to make them, should the need arise.”
Jessica lifted her head and widened her eyes.
“Are you going to fire me?”
“Oh my god, no!” Lainey exclaimed. “Nothing like that! I’m afraid you’re going to quit, and I’ll have to put Alan to work.”
“No, I love it here. I just need to get my transportation figured out.”
I understood her predicament since my Ford F150 was a thousand miles away. Fortunately, Brian said I could use his while I was here. It appeared she wasn’t so lucky.
I was happy to be Jessica’s taxi service while I was in town. In fact, I was looking forward to it. My goal was to convince her to let me pick her up in the mornings, too.
But Lainey had been quick to ask last night at dinner, what was going to happen when I went back to Lancastle.
I didn’t have an answer yet. But I was a smart guy who made a lot of money, I’d figure something out.
But in the meantime, I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to work in the kitchen with Jess.
“Put me to work, boss.”
Chapter Seventeen
