Page 48

“Be honest,” I insisted.

Kieran looked at his feet briefly before looking back up at me, his hazel eyes bright. His voice was quiet when he spoke. “Not at all.”

My stomach did a somersault. “Neither do I.” I wasn’t good at talking about feelings or being vulnerable, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to tell him what I needed to say. “I…” Finding the words was hard. They all sounded so juvenile. “I want you,” I murmured finally, gazes locked on each other, not looking away from him. “Physically, yes. But I also want to get to know you better. Spend time with you. I really like you, Kieran.”

Kieran’s breath hitched and he nodded slowly. “It’s mutual.”

I let out a relieved laugh, Kieran doing the same. A moment later, we were both silent again. “You’re sure?”

“I can’t say I’m sure about much these days, but I am about this. About you.” Another quiet moment passed. “What do we do?”

I knew he didn’t mean right now, but I couldn’t help myself. I took a couple of steps closer to him, put my hands on his waist, and tugged him close. Our mouths met, eager and hungry, Kieran’s hand making its way into my hair and tugging gently. With a soft groan, I moved my hands under his shirt, my hands gliding along his soft skin.

We kissed for a long time, each of us making little noises of pleasure, neither of us taking it farther. I lost track of time, but eventually the alarm on my phone went off, making me groan for a different reason. When I leaned back and fished my phone out of my pocket, Kieran’s brow was furrowed, curiosity on his face.

“I have to go,” I murmured. “I have an appointment to sign the lease at the new shop.”

He nodded and kissed me once more, quick and tender. “Do you want company?”

I did want his company. I wanted to pull him into my bedroom and lock the door and explore his body in a way we hadn’t had a chance to, and I also wanted to drag him with me all over Pine Bluff and tell people we were together. Instead, I shook my head, knowing I’d have to be patient. “I’m going to work after the meeting.”

“Okay. Well, good luck.”

“Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you tonight.” I hesitated for a moment. “Hey. Don’t tell Lena about this, okay?”

He laughed quietly and gave me a small smile, eyebrows raised. “You don’t think she’d take it well?”

“Trust me,” I said. “I know my sister and it’s not worth the risk.”

“Understood.”

With that, we parted and I hurried to get out the door and head into town. By the time I pulled up to the empty storefront that was going to be mine, my stomach was filled with butterflies of a different kind. I parked my car on the street and headed inside, where I found two men waiting, Warren and a man I didn’t recognize.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I said by way of greeting.

The older one, a man with sparse gray hair and a warm smile who looked to be in his seventies or older, waved his hand dismissively. “You’re not late, we’re just early.” He stepped forward and we shook hands. “I’m Jimmie. I own this whole strip of property. I’ll be your landlord.”

I nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Jimmie. I promise I’ll be a model tenant.”

“I’m not worried in the least. Emma vouches for you, that’s all I need. And I’ve hired your sister to make several cakes for me. She’s incredible. I trust you.”

“I appreciate that.”

Before I could say anything else, Jimmie turned to Warren. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’ve got places to be.”

I couldn’t suppress my chuckle. I liked his direct style.

Warren opened the file he’d been carrying and offered it to Jimmie. “Here’s the lease. It’s the same one you’ve used for your other tenants. Take a glance and let me know if you have any questions or anything.”

Once again, Jimmie waved his hand dismissively. “I trust you, too, Warren. My lawyer has looked over this lease a dozen times. As long as the rent’s listed and it says renovate to suit, I’m happy. Let’s just get the signing over with.”

“In that case,” Warren said, passing me the paper, “it’s yours to review and sign.”

I read over the lease carefully. It looked standard, nothing out of the ordinary or unexpected. “Looks good to me.” When Warren passed me a pen, I took it, took a deep breath, and signed the paper.

“Congratulations,” Warren said. “You officially have your own shop.” He handed me a set of keys.

It all made my stomach flip and twist with a mix of excitement and anxiety. What have I done? No going back now.