"You know, I think I will."
Aspen grinned."Give me your number.I'll send you the schedule, and we can go together sometime."
I actually liked the idea of going to a yoga class and having a new friend.I was usually so involved in working that I didn't have any outside activities and only hung out with the other shop owners occasionally.I had a feeling Aspen was going to get me doing more things outside my comfort zone.And I was looking forward to it.
We walked past the inn on the way to town hall, and Aspen surprised me with a tight hug."Thanks for going with me to get coffee.It's boring to go by myself."
"Anytime.Just stop by the bakery and grab me."
Aspen beamed, and I wondered if she was low on friends too.
"See you soon.I'll send you the schedule."Aspen disappeared inside, and I continued to the town hall.The temporary bakery was closed for the day, but I still had deliveries to do for the catering side of my business.
I wanted to expand, but if I also wanted to have time for friends and hobbies, I'd need to think about hiring some help.I didn't need to deliver the baked goods personally, did I?I always thought it was good for business.I was the face of the company after all.But could I delegate and give myself more free time?
I needed to figure out where my skills served me the best.Was it baking, creating new recipes, marketing, or a combination of them?
I stacked the boxes in the truck and drove them to the inn and the homeless shelter.Then I took a few samples to restaurants in the area to see if they'd like to sign a contract for desserts.Most already had a vendor, but one said they'd try them and get back to me.One new restaurant was a good start.
I hadn't focused on this side of the business as much since I had the physical location.I'd read somewhere that wherever you placed your focus in your business, that segment grew.I wanted to see if that was true.
The fire was forcing me to reevaluate my business model and figure out if it was still working for me.Everything was changing, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was making good decisions.
How did Morgan feel about what happened last night?Did he regret it?Would he tell me we had to pretend it never happened?
Chapter16
Morgan
After we were done removing Reina's things from the apartment and had placed them in my garage, I drove to a different job site and did some electrical work for Cooper.It kept my mind off the situation with Reina.
I could tell her it was a mistake and try to avoid the temptation, hoping Reina moved into her apartment sooner rather than later.Tom would always be between us.He wouldn't want me making a move on his sister.Not when I was supposed to be protecting her.
But that didn't feel like the right thing to do.Not only did I enjoy her company, but the chemistry was something I'd never experienced before.Was I ready to walk away from Reina?
If Tom wasn't her brother and she was just another woman, where would we be?I wouldn't have offered a room in my house for her to live in.Would I have rescued a stranger, or had there always been something between us?A connection, a draw, that made this thing with her different from anything else I'd ever experienced.
By the end of the day, I was resolved to see this through.I wasn't ready to walk away.But I wasn't sure about a relationship either.
There was no way I could tell her it was a mistake.It didn't feel like one.The pit in my stomach was about what Tom would think of the situation.But he wasn't here, and I wanted to see her tonight.
I'd kept my vow to protect her, even if it wasn't the way he'd want me to fulfill that promise.
Reina was already home when I arrived.So I went inside and toed off my boots.
She appeared in the foyer."I thought I'd make dinner tonight."
Was she prepared to pretend that last night hadn't happened?There was no chance I'd let her get away with that."Did you already start?"
Her forehead wrinkled."Not yet.I was just thinking of what I could make."
"Good."Then I stalked toward her, my hands cupping her jaw and tilting her face so that I could kiss her."I've been thinking about this all day."
She sighed just as my lips met hers.It wasn't soft and easy; it was a claiming.An acknowledgment that I wasn't done with her.Not by a long shot.
She wouldn't get rid of me that easily.I wouldn't pretend that last night meant nothing or that my mind was reeling.I needed more.
When I pulled back, she put her hands around my neck, and I lifted her so that her legs wrapped around my waist."The oven isn't on?"
