Page 13

Ellie

The sweet, familiar smell of pastries baking hits my nose the moment I walk through the doors.

Elaine is already here and hard at work, preparing all her amazing treats for the morning rush. I don’t know how she continues to do it, day after day, all by herself.

I take off my jacket as I make my way towards the back and stuff it beneath the counter. I opted to wear my mint-colored t-shirt today instead of the pink one—I needed to change it up a bit.

We still have about thirty minutes before we unlock the doors for customers, so I head into the back to see if I can assist with anything.

I round the corner and see Elaine studying her work.

She’s making a jelly-filled danish with cream cheese icing; they are absolutely amazing and fall apart in your mouth.

“Hey, good morning!” I greet her cheerfully .

“Oh hey…” her face lights up as she turns to me, “I didn’t hear you come in.”

I giggle, “Because you are so focused on your work... those look delicious. I’m gonna need one of those for breakfast.”

She smiles brightly and shakes her head at me. She knows I’m a mess, and I always want whatever she’s making. “I just need to finish up the drizzle, then I will put one aside for you.”

“Thanks. Before I go and get the front ready, do you need my help back here with anything?”

“Nope, everything's good back here. Just make sure the front is stocked with everything. Shelby is coming in earlier today to help, too. I told her the morning rush has been too much for just one person. I’m not much help to you when I’m in the back baking.”

“Alright, I’m heading out front to get started. Let me know if you need me…” I go to walk out but turn back quickly. "Oh! Don’t forget about my danish.” I wink.

She chuckles, “I’m not forgetting to feed my help. I will bring it out to you when I’m finished.”

I shout my thanks to her as I walk away.

I’m so glad I have gotten to know her on a more personal level.

She’s one of the kindest and sweetest women I know, and now she’s more of a motherly figure in my life.

She knows all about my situation. That’s kinda how I got the job on the spot.

I might have begged and cried a little. She was desperate, and so was I.

So, in reality, I guess we’re helping each other.

She’s been a staple in our small town for years, and I’m so happy I’m able to help her with her business.

Going through my normal routine of checking the machines to make sure they are clean and running properly, I’m bouncing with energy, and I haven’t even had my morning coffee yet.

I check my phone for the time, and we still have about twenty minutes left before we open.

Now, to restock all of the pink and mint coffee cups and cardboard sleeves.

You would think the closing crew would do this, but whatever, I’ve got it under control.

I’m bent down, grabbing the last stack of cups, when the bells on the door jingle, letting me know someone is here.

Fuck, I forgot to lock the door behind me.

I pop up just in time to see the one man I hate the most right now—Jaydon. And he’s looking right at me with the sexiest fucking smirk on his face, strolling his cocky self right up to the counter.

What the fuck does he want now? Two days in a row of seeing him, ugh. Could my luck get any worse? He’s driving me fucking insane.

I narrow my eyes at him, causing him to smile—although he tries to be slick and hide it by rubbing his nose with the back of his hand .

“We're closed.” My snarky attitude shines through as I speak. I start to bend down to continue gathering all the cups and try to ignore his presence, but he speaks, stopping me.

He waves his inked, muscular arm in the direction of the doors. “Well, the doors were open,” he says, shrugging it off so casually.

I lean towards him and lower my voice—I need to make sure Elaine can’t hear me when I speak, “What the fuck do you want, Jaydon… Why are you always fucking with me? Did someone put you up to this?” I whisper harshly, narrowing my eyes, with a hand resting on my hip.

My anxiety is getting the best of me, and I want to ask if it’s my sister, but I don’t want to sound jealous, so I bite my tongue.

A deep, throaty laugh slips from his lips, “I’m not sure if you want to know what I really want…

” his eyes pierce my soul as they crease in the corners, silently accessing my reaction, but my face remains neutral, “…why the fuck would you think someone put me up to this, Peachy? Nobody tells me what the fuck to do.” He takes a step closer.

Not this again, I don’t get it—he’s always messing with my fucking head.

I glance at the doors, wishing Kevin would magically appear…

or anyone, really. I need someone to help pull me from his spell.

But he just stands there, st aring hard into my eyes to get his point across, and I guess he does.

Because I suddenly realize just how crazy I sound, accusing him of that.

Whatever, he makes me fucking crazy when he’s near me.

Asshole.

I roll my eyes and let out an exaggerated huff, making sure he knows I’m annoyed.

Then, forcing a sweet smile, I speak, “Okay, let me start over… Good morning, Sir.” I bat my eyelashes for the full effect, “What can I get for you?” I ask, trying my best to ask nicely, ending with a sultry smile on my face.

He just stares into my eyes with the same cocky fucking grin that he always has. How the fuck am I ever supposed to get over him?

“Hmmm…” Fuck. That deep rumbling of his voice is doing all the things to me that it shouldn’t. “You should call me sir from now on…” he teases, his voice dripping with sexy confidence. “I kinda like that.” He winks, pausing to let his words settle over us.

“And you should come in once we are actually open for business…” I snap back, “Come on, Jaydon.” I plead with him as a sexy as fuck laugh slips from his lips.

This cocky asshole thinks he’s funny—he’s making me twitch. I need to get him the fuck outta here before customers start trickling in and I completely lose my cool .

“… the drink you made for me yesterday morning, give me two of those…” he reaches into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet.

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

I eye him curiously, my thoughts running wild inside my head. Who the fuck is waiting on him in his truck? or who the fuck is he taking this drink to? If I find out my sister is behind this, I’m going to be livid.

Who the fuck do they think they are, always fucking with me.

If he says it’s for her, I’m going to just ask him to leave.

I’m not making that bitch anything, she hardly even speaks to me at home.

And Jaydon, I’m not sure why he feels the need to always come to my place of work to harass me and mess around with my head every morning. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

“Two?” Confusion is evident in my tone.

His head dips in a slight nod. “Yeah, Peachy. Two.” He answers so smoothly.

The way he calls me that fucking name makes my pussy throb, causing my thighs to clench in response. My body betrays me, aching for him—But I’m still fucking pissed.

“Ugh… Jaydon, stop fucking calling me that! Who is the other one for?” I glare at him, trying to hide how pissed I am, but I’m sure it’s shining through.

“Gotta hot girl in your truck early this morning? Someone stay over at your house last night?” I pop a brow as I fold my arms ac ross my chest, trying to steady my breath, but my heart is already racing.

I can’t fucking help myself… I have to know. I might even sound jealous at this point, but I don’t care. Not knowing is killing me.

Probably because deep inside, I wish it were me.

He just laughs in my face, shaking his head, confusing me even further. “Just make the fucking drinks, Ellie.”

Asshole.

I let out a loud huff. I have no patience left for this man. “Fine. Tap your card when you’re ready,” I mutter with an exaggerated eye roll as I turn on my heels and take my anger out on the espresso machine.

I know without even looking, he’s staring at my ass. Good—let him. He deserves all the torture he gets.

I grab two cardboard sleeves and slide a cup into each before turning to set them on the counter between us.

When I finally look up, he’s standing there with arms crossed looking hot as fuck, his broad chest filling out a fitted white tee and jeans hanging just right on his hips.

I can’t help myself when my eyes roam his sleeves of ink, lingering just a little too long.

Fuck, I want his strong hands all over me.

He finally picks up one of the coffees and takes a sip. Then an exaggerated moan slips from his throat as he closes his eyes like he’s savoring every drop .

“Just like I remember…” he flashes his cocky smile. “Thanks, Peachy.” He lifts his cup in a half salute, nodding, then turns and walks towards the doors.

“Uh, Jaydon…” I call out, “You’re forgetting your other coffee…”

He pauses mid-step, glancing back over his shoulder with a smirk. “No, I’m not… It's yours. I bought it for you.” He winks.

“What?" My forehead wrinkles, confusion flickering across my face.

He dips his head to the drink between us on the counter. “That’s your favorite drink, right?” he says, taking his time walking back towards the register, inching closer with his cocky confidence that gets under my skin—in the worst, and best way.

Heat spreads across the apples of my cheeks, and I roll my eyes as I huff my denial. “No…” But he knows damn well I’m lying, judging by the way his grin widens.