Page 52 of Harvest Heat

That was a lie. He knew Tessa well enough to know her tells, but if he called her on it, he’d betray his own interest in Caleb.

“He looked good today,” she said. “He had on a green shirt. That’s such a good color on him.”

Rhys glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “He looks good every day.”

Tess grinned. “That’s true enough. You look nice today too. What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion.” Rhys shifted from one foot to another. He didn’t want Tessa picking up on anything that might give her more clues about what was going on with him and Caleb. This was exactly why he didn’t want her to know they were working together.

She studied him for far too long before saying, “It looked like you and Caleb had a nice chat at the orchard.”

Rhys shrugged, hoping Tessa couldn’t tell he was panicking inside. “He liked feeding the rabbits too.”

“I think he liked talking to you more,” Finn said as he walked in from the back.

“You’re matchmaking too now?”

Finn just laughed.

“You have to know I’m not going to date someone who’s running a business down the street from me.” Once again, Rhys glanced around, making sure no one was approaching the counter. “That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“He’s a nice guy, and it’s a small town. You can’t be too picky.”

“I can want a tiny bit of privacy.”

“Sorry,” Tessa said. He could tell she was worried she was pushing too hard.

“I know you mean well.”

“I do. I want the best for you.”

It was time to get out of there. “Could I get a baguette?”

“Are you sure there’s not an occasion?”

“Not other than wanting baguette with my dinner.” He did usually buy their white farmstead bread, but a baguette shouldn’t seem too strange.

“You’re changing your routine. What are you making?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Do you ask all your customers what they’re using the products for?”

Tessa smiled. “No, I reserve that treatment for my best friends.”

“Maybe your best friend just wants some bread, and it’s no big deal.”

She tilted her head and looked at him.

“Plenty of people like to switch up what they eat.”

“Yes, but not you, and you’re being mysterious lately.”

What did that mean? “No, I’m not.”

Finally, she grabbed a baguette from the basket where they kept them, slid it into a long paper bag, and handed it to him. “Enjoy your bread.”

Rhys frowned. “Aren’t you going to ring me up?”

“No, consider it payment for letting me annoy you.”