Page 27 of Harvest Heat

“Shit.” Rhys scrubbed his hand over his face. “I wasn’t trying to imply that you didn’t. I really didn’t mean to insult you. I know I’m difficult, but it makes me feel all crazy if things aren’t right.”

Caleb reached out and laid a hand over Rhys’s. “It’s okay. We’ll work through that. I want this to be perfect too. I want us to win. That’s why I wanted to work with you in the first place.”

“It is?”

“Yes. You obviously really know what you’re doing.”

“You’re doing a great job here too. I mean, you’re drawing a crowd every day, and I’ve heard so many great things about your drinks.”

For some reason, his compliment mattered more than anyone else’s had. “Thanks. It is going well, but I’m still new with this.”

“How did you end up here? I’ve heard stuff people say in town, but I know better than to trust what everyone says.”

Caleb laughed. “That’s probably a good policy. It’s a long story, too long to give all the details tonight, but I got out of a bad relationship with the owner of a coffee shop I worked at in Boston. I needed a fresh start in a new place, and I was sure could run a business better than my ex. I found this space for rent, and here I am.”

“You made a good choice coming to Frostwick Harbor.”

Caleb gave Rhys a slow once-over. He was going to have to let Rhys keep the sweatshirt. He wanted to see him in it again. “Yes, I did.”

Rhys’s eyes widened. He pushed his chair back and stood. “I should get going. I can’t work on the festival entry until tomorrow night. I’m going apple picking with Tessa and Finn right after lunch.”

“Then we’ll be spending a lot of the day together. I’m going with them too.”

“Oh, wow. You are?”

“If that’s okay. If you want time with them⁠—”

“No, that’s great. I mean… I was just wondering if maybe we could not say anything about how we’re working together, not yet anyway.”

Caleb wasn’t sure he liked that idea. “Are you embarrassed to be working with a guy who makes his silly, decorated drinks?”

Rhys shook his head vehemently. “It’s not that. Everybody loves your drinks. Your style is different than mine. That’s okay.”

He was so adorably flustered that Caleb had to work not to laugh.

“My friends, especially Tessa, will ask me all kinds of questions. They’ll want details about why I agreed to it, and they might think there’s more to this than us needing each other’s help to get the best drink.”

Caleb nodded. Working together was the perfect idea for the festival and maybe for them if they could somehow navigate the town and their connection and the pressure. He was probably fooling himself. A relationship with Rhys was definitely not a good idea. “We wouldn’t want rumors going around about us.”

“Right. You have no idea how bad the people in this town can get.”

“Are they not as nice as they seem?”

“No, it’s almost that they’re too nice. They want to help everyone by getting in their business. They mean well, but…”

Caleb truly didn’t want to be fodder for the gossips, but he also wanted Rhys. “We won’t say anything. We can get together tomorrow night after we’ve gotten back and see what we can come up with for our entry.”

“I should give you back your sweatshirt.”

“Keep it. You look good in it.”

Rhys frowned. “I’ll wash it, then bring it back.”

“Okay.” Caleb walked Rhys to the door. He unlocked it, then turned back. Rhys was so close. Only a few inches separated them. He watched Rhys’s chest moving up and down rapidly, and then their gazes caught. Rhys had been staring at him again. His eyes darted away, but Caleb waited him out. When he looked at Caleb again, Caleb said, “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Rhys nodded. “Yeah. Me too.” He swayed closer as he spoke. Had he meant to, or did he just feel the same pull that Caleb did?

Caleb wanted to kiss him. It would be so easy to cup his face and bring their lips together. Not now. As much as he wanted to know what Rhys tasted like, this wasn’t the right time.