My brows furrowed."Is it that obvious?"
"Yes," he said simply."I'll watch and then ask a few questions about your flow."
"Fine."I knew I was being testy, but I was uncomfortable with him watching me so closely.Had I bothered to even wash my face this morning?Did I remember to apply deodorant?
Ugh.I was here to work.Not look good for the contractor.
"How do you like the refrigerators over here?"he finally asked.
That was an easy question I didn't mind answering."I love all the space, but it would be nice to have a smaller one over here for milk and eggs.The larger ones can be storage for finished products."
"That's a good insight."He jotted down a note on a notepad he pulled out of his back pocket.Then he raised his brow."See?That's why I'm here."
I could see the value of him being here and watching me work.I just didn't like the way he made my blood simmer and my face flush.I was hot all over, even with the ceiling fans running.I should be focused on baking, not the hot guy whose gaze followed me around the room.
He nodded toward the shelves next to the refrigerators."You want open shelves for your mixing bowls?"
"I'm not sure."I'd only ever had cabinets for storage.
"It would look like a high-end kitchen, and it would be easier for you to see what you have."
"Yeah, that sounds nice."I could see the shelves in my mind, rows of stainless-steel mixing bowls and storage containers.
"A lot of kitchens do open shelving now."
"Thanks for the suggestion."Maybe having him wasn't so bad after all.He was a wealth of knowledge.
He pulled out a measuring tape and measured the space between the counter and various cabinets and refrigerators."This kitchen is more spaced out than I'd recommend for you.This one is probably meant for multiple cooks.Do you think you'd hire more bakers at some point?"
I sighed."I'm horrible at delegating.I feel like I'm the only one who can bake like I do."
He frowned."Not if you train them right."
"It's scary to trust other people."
"I work with my brothers, and I consider Cooper one of them.But my crew isn't family.I have to trust that they're going to show up and do good work.That I can walk away from the job site, and things won't fall apart."
I paused to consider him."How do you manage that?"
"It's hard, and sometimes we hire the wrong person.In the beginning, it's rough.You don't know them or their work habits.Are they habitually late?Do they not listen to instructions?"
I shivered."That's the scary part.It's my reputation on the line."
"It's a process to find the right people, but when you do, your world will open up.You'll have more time to expand the business in other ways.More production, more creative ideas, and maybe even more stores."
I laughed at that idea."I'm not opening multiple stores."
"Why not?"
I sighed."I only planned one.I like control, remember?"
"Yeah, but you also want generational wealth.Eventually, you'll tap out the market here, and you'll need to expand.Maybe that's online, or maybe that's more brick-and-mortar stores."
"I don't know?—"
"Think about it."
I shook my head."I just want to bake and reopen my bakery."
