Then she shoved me toward the door."Now shoo.I need to focus, and I can't do that while you're here."
I liked hearing that she couldn't focus with me watching her.It was a new and interesting development that meant my plan was working.
"Don't work too hard," I said as I pushed the door open.Jill arranged the first batch of pastries on the tables, and there were a few customers browsing.
"See you later, Jill."
She smiled."Bye, Morgan.Enjoy the pastries."
"I will."I had a feeling I'd be stopping by most mornings for a sweet fix.But it was more about the baker than the sweets.
I walked down the street toward the bakery.The doors were open, and the smell of smoke wafted out.There was a dumpster outback where my crew was already throwing debris.I walked inside."I brought breakfast."
I was swarmed within seconds, the lid opened, hands grabbing everything in sight."Leave me one."
"You probably already got one," Joe said.
I nodded."I can vouch that these are amazing.Our favorite baker sent them, saying she appreciates your hard work.”
"We need to get her back in business ASAP," Frank said.
"That's what we're doing.Now, let's get to work."I worked alongside my crew, removing things from the space.
At lunch time, the guys broke to eat.They sat out back on a picnic table while I checked the damage again.Someone walked through the front door.I said, "We're not open for business."
"It's me," Reina said, her voice soft, her eyes round, and her skin pale.Too pale.
My heart clenched.I hadn't anticipated that she'd stop by."Baby, what are you doing here?"
Her body swayed as she took in the damage."I saw it when we walked through the place with Maddox, but this is different.
"Maybe you shouldn't be in here."It still smelled like smoke, which could bring up bad memories of her being in the fire.And it couldn't be easy to see everything she built being thrown into a dumpster.
Sweat beaded on her forehead."I wanted to see how it was going."
I put an arm around her."You don't have to see this part.Why don't you wait, and come back when everything is cleaned up?"
She leaned into my body, tucking her head against my shoulder.Her hand rested on my chest, where my heart was beating hard.She'd scared me.
We stood like that for a few seconds, until I heard her breath deepen.
She turned in my arms, both palms on my chest.
It was difficult to breathe with her standing so close.
"You don't have to be in here."Now that I saw her reaction to seeing the destruction, I didn't want her near it.I needed to get her out of here.
"I was not expecting it to hit me so hard.Everything's destroyed.And the smell."She shook her head.
"We can go outside—" I made a move to leave, but she grabbed my arm."Wait."
My brows furrowed."What is it?"
"I don't know.I just feel weird.Hot and cold at the same time.Tingly all over, and my stomach feels like it's on a roller coaster."
Was she describing how she felt around me, or was this her reaction to seeing the destruction?The hand on my chest drifted higher, and the blood drained from my brain, going south.My brain was aware of where we were, but my body wanted to take advantage of her proximity and pull her closer.
Her hands went to my neck, and she pressed her chest against mine.
