He looks around the bakery, nodding. “It’s so rare to find queer-friendly events around here. Thank you for throwing it.”
“Oh, well, it was actually my friend’s idea. I just made the desserts.”
“A welcome contribution.” He smiles, popping one of the tiramisu truffles into his mouth. He covers it with his hand. “Damn,” he whispers.
“Good?” He nods quickly. “Were you uh, waiting for someone? I can move.”
Ammon sips his water, shaking his head. “No. Please. I’d like the company.”
“Two years,actually. I worked at a station a couple of hours from here in my hometown, but uh, I had some things happen to me and I just needed a change of scenery.”
“Hope it wasn’t anything serious.”
Ammon smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I don’t want to push. He’s so easy to talk to. Very warm and friendly. And hot. Did I mention hot? His beard is trimmed to his face, and his wavy black hair is the perfect length to run fingers through. It’s in his eyes. It’s like he smiles with them.
“The short of it is, my brother died and it just, I don’t know. I needed a change. So I moved. I work in Briarfield. It’s been great.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. That’s hard.” I sip the iced coffee Noah brought over, ignoring the little wink he gave me. “My mother died a couple of months ago. It’s been really hard.”
His eyes turn sympathetic. “I’m so sorry.”
I smile. “This is nice. I don’t get to talk to many people. I don’t do this often.”
“Do what?” He grins. “Flirt with customers?”
“Flirt with anyone.” I snort. “Shit.” I cover my nose. “Sorry.”
He laughs, and it’s warm and deep. Music plays, and I know we’re about to play the speed-dating round. There are so many people here I can’t believe it. At fifteen dollars a head I’m going to make a profit tonight, even with the free truffle bar.
And now there’s Ammon. I like Ammon. He’s nice to talk to. He seems kind. We’ve talked for about an hour, and I’ve thought about getting up and talking to other people, but why? What else am I doing? Pining after a grouchy asshole who couldn’t feel feelings if those feelings were to beat him over the head?
Over it. So fucking over it.
I want romance. I want it to look like the movies, and that may seem stupid and unreal but it’s not impossible, and I won’t settle for a guy who’s sort of okay but also doesn’t want me. The other night.Fuck. I thought it was something it wasn’t, and that’s on me. Aiden’s been clear and I pushed my own feelings onto him.
Still. After all of that to just leave me a note.
Thanks.
“How long have you owned this bakery?”
“Less than a year. I bought it during the summer last year.” When my entire world was imploding and I tried everything I could to stop it.
“Wow, you’ve been here all this time?” He takes a bite of one of the truffles. “Damn. If I’d known the chef was as delicious as his desserts, I would have been here a lot sooner.” He pulls the truffle back. “What’s in this one?”
My face feels hot. It’s kind of hot in here, right? “Strawberry mousse.”
“Delicious.”
My body’s on fire, and I don’t know if it’s nerves or desire. Maybe some weird combination of both. He moans takinganother bite, and I want it to hit me, but instead it makes me uncomfortable.
I need to get my head together.
As it is I’m fighting the urge to turn around and glare at the eyes I can feel on the back of my neck. I feel him. How the fuck is that possible?
“Can I get you two anything else?” Noah winks. Bri did his makeup earlier. The bright pink shadow shimmers across his lids, and a soft blush makes his freckles stand out. Little hearts are drawn on his cheekbones. “Can I take this plate?” He stretches a hand out—the one with his ring—and takes the plate, then transfers it to his other hand. “So...” He waves his hand around. “Can I...” He places it down with a smirk. “Get you anything else?” He flicks his wrist out, then stretches his fingers and grabs a pen out of his apron.
“Is that an engagement ring?” Ammon asks, humoring him.
