Chapter 10
James
I hadn’t beenthis nervous since my first day at Wolf and Whisk, when I accidentally dropped a tray of lemon bars in front of the mayor’s wife.
But this was worse, because this wasn’t just a shift. It wasn’t just any other guy. This was Rafael.
I stared at the mess in my room: two shirts, three jackets, and a growing pile of maybe-too-desperate cologne choices. My heart raced. I wasn’t even sure if this counted as a “real” date, but it felt like one.
I wanted it to be one. I wanted him to see that I was serious. That he wasn’t just a passing crush, or some warm body to lean on.
“You gonna wear that one?” Cyrus asked, leaning against my doorframe and eyeing the navy button-down I’d finally settled on.
“It’s clean and doesn’t have frosting on it,” I muttered.
“That’s a low bar, even for you,” Rowan quipped from the couch.
Callum was on his phone nearby, but he raised an eyebrow. “Is this the first time I’ve seen you put effort into a date?”
I flipped him off with a grin. “You just haven’t paid attention. I’ve had dates before.”
“Yeah? Like the guy from the cider festival who ghosted you the minute he realized you had a thing for cupcakes?” Cyrus offered helpfully.
“That was one time,” I grumbled. “And technically he ghosted me after I made him cupcakes, thank you very much.”
Callum chuckled. “Well, you look good. Nervous, but good.”
That settled a little warmth in my chest. The tension between us had been easing since I came clean about Joel’s debts. Callum didn’t say much about it after our talk, but I could feel the shift.
There was still disappointment there, sure, but not the kind that pushed me away. It felt more like... concern. Like he cared. And maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.
“Where are you taking him?” Rowan asked, tossing me a travel mug. “Please don’t say the Waffle Shack again.”
“Nope,” I said, a little proud of myself. “I’ve got something better planned.”
Which was saying something, considering I’d nearly twisted my ankle hauling a blanket and a basket of picnic food up to the roof of the bakery earlier. But it was worth it.
Because Rafael deserved something thoughtful. He’d shown up for me when I needed him, when I hadn’t even asked. Now it was my turn. I bid the other wolves goodbye and they wished me luck.
I showed up outside Bear and Bun just after closing, just as the lights dimmed inside.
Rafael stepped out a moment later, jacket slung over his shoulder, and my breath caught.
He looked tired. He always looked a little tired. But tonight, there was something softer in his face when he saw me. That little crease between his brows eased just a bit.
“You’re late,” he grumbled, but his tone was warm.
“Fashionably,” I said, holding up a thermos of cocoa. “Come with me.”
He eyed the thermos like it might explode, but he followed me anyway.
“Where are we going?” he finally asked, trailing beside me as I finally led him down the alley behind Wolf and Whisk and toward the back stairs.
“You’ll see,” I said.
He grunted, but I could tell he was curious.
The moment we reached the roof, I gestured with a flourish. “Ta-da.”
