Page 8 of Finding Romance (Romances in the Building #2)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Piper

The firehouse was another dead end, but I did have a nice lunch with Kasen where I attempted to pry more information from him.

Kasen is like a vault. And every time I got even the smallest nugget of information, I felt that much closer to cracking the vault open.

I don’t mind that he’s quiet, but I also wish he would confide in me.

I can’t help but feel he has so many things he should talk about.

I’ve decided after sorting Aunt Cornelia out this morning, I’m going to paint.

“Whatcha doin’?” a voice says from my right.

I jump a little and clutch my chest until I see Hutch in camo standing beside a tree.

“Hutch?” I ask as I take in his unusual appearance.

“Yep, just watching and waiting,” he says.

I look around. The sun just came up and it’s quiet. Occasionally a jogger runs on the trail behind me, but otherwise, I’ve been enjoying the peace.

“Uh, for what?” I ask, looking around.

“The Guardian of Hearts Lane Park, of course,” he says as if that should make sense to me.

“Huh?”

He motions to the bench where I’m sitting.

“Every morning, there are flowers there with a note. It almost always says, If you found these flowers, then the universe wants you to feel loved. Take them home and enjoy them. XOXO, The Guardian of Hearts Lane Park ,” he says as if this is common knowledge.

“Oh, I’ve seen them,” I say, recalling when I found them a few days ago and then once when I visited in high school.

“Well, it’s been happening for years, and I want to know who it is. I mean, we all do,” Hutch says.

“A mystery, huh?”

He nods. “I’m going to figure it out someday.”

“Cool,” I reply because I’m not sure why this grown-ass man wants to solve a flower mystery so badly. But whatever floats his boat.

“Nice painting,” he says while admiring the lily pads I’ve painted.

“Thanks, I’m trying to practice,” I explain as I begin working on a small frog sitting on the lily pad. “So, do you like to come out here every morning to look?”

“Sometimes before or after the gym. Kasen and I go to the gym at least three times a week,” he says.

“Yeah, I need to go back again. I signed up for a month's trial membership while I’m visiting,” I explain.

“It’s a good gym. Not a ton of bells and whistles but it’s close by,” he says casually.

“So, you and Kasen are good friends, then?” I’m not sure why I ask.

It’s none of my business but I keep thinking about Kasen, especially since we went to the fire station.

Fine, I’m curious about this seemingly grumpy, private, hot-as-fuck man.

I think it’s because he’s different from every guy I’ve been on a date with.

He’s mysterious but also kind and he marches to his own beat, which I identify with.

“Yeah. He’s a good person. He’s helped me a lot over the past few years, including being my lifting partner at the gym, but also just…being a friend.” Hutch looks over at me and I stop painting. “I know he’s kind of quiet and all, but he really is a great person.”

“Who’s a great person?”

We both turn and see Al standing there.

“Oh, uh, Kasen,” Hutch says.

“Morning, Mr. Al,” I say to him as I turn a bit to face him.

“Off on my morning walk. What are you two up to?” he asks, looking Hutch up and down, clearly wondering why Hutch is in camo just as I am.

“Just waiting for the flowers to arrive,” Hutch explains as he pats the bench.

Al nods and looks at me. “Nice painting, Piper. You have real talent.”

I blush. “Thank you. I’m working on it.”

“Hey, would you mind painting some of my pots in the greenhouse?” he asks.

“Oh, sure. I can do that,” I say, trying not to sound too excited. I’ve never had anyone ask me to paint anything.

“Great. I’ll be up there later, come by when you have a moment,” he says as he waves and continues on with his walk.

The colorful sunrise is starting to fade into a sunny day, so I start packing up my art supplies. I’ll grab some coffee and muffins and head back up to help my aunt get sorted for the morning. She always likes to get up and watch some television before she eats and gets a sponge bath.

“Well, I’m off to get some coffee and check in on my aunt. I guess…” I look around. “Enjoy your stakeout?”

He chuckles. “I’ll come with you. I could use something to eat. This will all be here again tomorrow.”

I finish packing up and we head over to the café. “So, how often do you…” I trail off as I motion to the bench. I freeze and my mouth drops open. Sitting on the bench are flowers.

“For fuck’s sake,” Hutch mutters under his breath.

I laugh. “Sorry, I probably messed that up for you.”

He waves me off. “No, that always happens. As soon as I’m distracted…BAM! They just appear.”

“Maybe it’s magic,” I tease.

“Right,” he grumbles as he holds open the café door.

“Good morning,” Cam says as she finishes ringing up a customer.

“Hey, can I get three black coffees with caramel syrup and three blueberry muffins?” I ask.

“Sure.” Cam looks at Hutch.

“The usual,” he says.

“OK,” she says as she gets busy with the order.

“How’s Cornelia doing?” Cam asks while bagging up the muffins.

“Good. Later this week, she’ll be getting the cast off and then she can shower,” I answer as I take the bag of muffins and tap my credit card on her machine.

“That’s great news. Hopefully, she’s back to normal soon. And, Hutch, here’s your small dirty chai tea latte with regular milk and two shots of espresso.”

He tosses some cash down on the counter.

“Thanks, Cam,” he says as he walks toward the door and holds it for me. I grab the tray of lattes and follow him out.

“See ya, Cam,” I call out and she waves back as she helps another customer.

We walk in silence until I get to the elevator.

“It was nice talking,” I say because it was nice.

It’s been great talking to everyone here.

They are all so kind. I’ve never really felt part of a community, but only a week into being here and I feel like everyone has accepted me into their inner circle.

“It was. Keep painting. You got something special there,” he says as he takes the stairs, leaving me to take the elevator alone. My mind goes back to what he said about Kasen being a good person. I don’t disagree. I just wish I could get him to open up a bit more.

* * *

“Mr. Al!” I call out as I step out onto the rooftop. It’s been an hour, and when I texted Al, he said he was already up here.

“In here, Piper,” he answers from the greenhouse.

I walk over and stop in my tracks when I see Kasen.

It’s not just Kasen being here that has me freezing.

Nope. It would be the fact that Kasen’s not wearing a shirt.

He’s hard at work trying to secure something to a bolt in the greenhouse ceiling.

And holy hell! I knew he was in good shape from seeing him at the gym, but…

do humans actually look like that? He’s got a full abdomen of muscles and his chest is… wow, just wow.

I realize I’m gawking and I quickly close my mouth.

“Oh, hey there,” I say to Kasen as I watch him work.

Stepping inside the greenhouse, I now understand why he’s shirtless.

It’s really hot in here, and surprisingly large.

From the outside, it doesn’t look huge but it’s big enough for a large potting table, two large shelves, and several plant stands.

There is a large metal bin-like tub at the far end that’s acting as some kind of planter.

And I watch as Kasen hangs some chain from the bolt and clips on a hanging planter.

“There,” he says as he steps down from a small ladder.

“These are the pots,” Al says as he points to three large terra-cotta pots on the table.

“Oh, OK. Can I take them outside to paint?” I ask.

“I suppose, but any chance you can paint them here.” He motions to the table. “Just in case you get paint anywhere,” he adds and then looks to Kasen. “Kasen is helping me add some hanging planters in here. It’ll double the amount of plants I can grow over the winter.

“That’s nice,” I say warmly as I lift the first pot, which is surprisingly heavy.

“Here, let me,” Kasen says as he steps behind me and easily lifts the pot.

I point to the far side of the table and he sets it down.

But I’m no longer paying attention to the pot because right now, I’m encased by Kasen.

His scent fills my nostrils. His warmth permeates through my top.

His hot breath tickles my ear. A part of me that I have continually suppressed suddenly activates as if every single light in a car’s dashboard has come on at once.

And a very startling thought enters my brain.

I want Kasen. I want Kasen to touch me and not in a friend way. Oh shit! I’m so fucked.