Page 10 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)
Chapter 10
Kenzie
J osh is full of surprises. He actually showed up bright and early this morning and made me the best mocha I’ve ever had.The longer we talk, the more I discover about him. I realize quickly that there’s more to Josh than I first believed. Being a professional athlete isn’t who he is, but what he does. He’s sweet, funny, considerate, and looks at me like I’m something special.
Once all the baking’s finished, we have a half an hour before the bakery opens. “Thanks for your help this morning, Josh. It was nice to have the company.”
“I’ve had a great time. Although this is a dangerous place to be when you’re trying to stick to a strict diet. Everything smells and looks amazing.” He laughs.
Smiling, I lean toward the display case. “How would you feel about getting a sweet treat as your payment for helping this morning?” I offer, eyeing the death by chocolate cupcakes we made. I know he loves them.
His eyes dance and then flick to my mouth. A gigantic smile spreads across his face, causing butterflies to flutter in my stomach. What’s he thinking? Then he licks his lips, and my brain misfires. “What do you have in mind?” he asks in a low timbre that shakes me to the core.
“I was thinking of a death by chocolate cupcake,” I answer. Looking at him, I see his smile dip. “Why do I think you had something else in mind?”
A pained expression appears on his face, and my heart drops. Josh shakes his head no and says, “That would be great. Do you have milk too?” Then he forces a smile.
“Sure, I’ll go get some.” I head toward my walk-in fridge, needing a moment to process what happened. Did I say something wrong? Why does he look upset? We were having a great time. What happened? Worry fills my mind as I pour two glasses of milk. Returning to the front of the bakery, I see Josh has already pulled two cupcakes out and set them at a table. He’s smiling again, and that calms my anxious heart. I realize I didn’t enjoy seeing him upset.
Not long after we finish our cupcakes, Toby shows up, ready to open the bakery.
“Morning, Kenz,” he hollers as he unlocks the door, brings in the newspapers, and turns on the OPEN sign. When he turns around and sees me casually sitting at a table with Josh, his mouth falls open. “Sorry, I didn’t expect you to have company. I know I’m early. I can go hide out in the back until we have a customer.” He shuffles to the back and through the swinging doors, disappearing completely. Josh laughs and I roll my eyes and shake my head.
Josh pushes back his chair and stands. “Guess I better be going.” He stacks our cups and plates and walks them over to the tub we have designated for dirty dishes, then he rejoins me. “I had a fantastic time hanging out with you, and I’d love to do it again.”
Suddenly nervous, I tug on my apron. “You would?”
He smiles. “I would. I’m headed out of town for a few games. Can I have your number so we can text or talk to set up another coffee date?”
He wants my number and to spend time with me. My teenage self does a happy dance while I try to maintain my composure. “Sure, that sounds great. Do you have your phone?” He pulls it from his pocket, unlocks it, and hands it to me. I try to control the shaking in my hands while I enter my information.
“Thanks,” he says when I hand it back.
“I sent myself a message so I’ll have your number too,” I confess.
“Good,” he replies with a smirk.
Josh pulls off his apron and hands it to me. “I better go. I need to get to practice in an hour.”
What? I’m shocked . “You have practice this morning?” He laughs and nods, then pulls me into a hug. This is the best hug I’ve ever had. Wrapping his muscular arms around me, he squeezes tight before he kisses the top of my head. “Thanks again for this morning, Kenzie. I’ll text or call you soon.” And then he’s gone.
A few minutes later, I hear Toby holler from the other side of the swinging doors. “Is it safe to come out?” I laugh.
“Yes, Toby, he’s gone.”
“Good,” he says while pushing into the storefront. “I was getting bored in the back and I need to get the coffee machine ready before any customers show up.”
I turn to him with a smile on my face. “Coffee machine should be up and ready to go.”
Toby shrieks. “What did you do? You don’t ever touch Jazlyn.”
“Why did you name the coffee machine? And for your information, I didn’t touch Jazlyn. Josh did when he made me the best mocha I’ve ever had.” I head past him and into the back to start on another batch of muffins.
“What?” he squeals as he follows behind. I just smile. Then I hear the ring of the bell above the door and I laugh out, knowing we have customers and he can’t come back and interrogate me.
Later that afternoon, as I’m prepping for the next day, I feel my phone buzz in my back pocket. It’s Josh.
Josh
Hey, Kenzie. How was your day?
Me
It was great. Started out amazing and got better as the day went on. How about you?
Josh
Mine started out incredible, but practice was tough. We’re gearing up for the next round of Stanley Cup playoff games.
Me
I know nothing about hockey. I’ve at least heard of the Stanley Cup, though.
Josh
No worries. The playoff games are after the regular season has ended. They begin in April and end in June. With a winner of the prestigious trophy.
Me
Wow. Well, good luck to the Steel. I’ve never even seen a game.
Josh
Really? You mean you haven’t seen a live game? That’s not uncommon. Tickets aren’t the cheapest.
Me
Even if they were affordable, with the hours I work, I can’t even catch a game on TV.
Josh
That’s right. You’re usually sleeping when we play. It’s too bad. I’d love to have you in the stands cheering me on.
Me
Who says I’d be cheering you on? winking emoji
Josh
Ouch. I think you hurt my pride. crying emoji
Me
I’ve never been around professional athletes, but I’m assuming they all have some to spare. Or come by the bakery and I’ll dry your tears and make it better with a cookie.
Josh
Now that’s something I can get behind. I’ll stop by when I’m back.
Me
Sounds great. I’ll see you then.
Josh
It’s a date.
Did he mean that? A date with Josh Logan? Yeah, I’m not ready for that. Sure, he’s nice, funny, and sexy as sin, but I can’t imagine he’d want anything with me besides friendship. This morning was amazing, but I can’t expect anything to come of it. I don’t want to get my heart too invested. The uncertainty of it all has me feeling fidgety. I pocket my phone and force myself to focus on what I need to get done before I leave for the day. Unfortunately, the quiet of the bakery makes that task difficult, as I again think about Josh and my uncertain feelings for him. I need to figure this out. The sooner the better.
Going home that afternoon after closing the bakery, my mind once again drifts back to my date with Josh. I don’t really have a dating history. When I was in high school, no one asked me out. My best friend was Amanda, and we were incredibly shy. We were really close until college. She left Chicago to go to school in Florida. She wanted to be a marine biologist, and I stayed home and attended culinary school.
Since I was young, I always wanted to bake and have my own bakery using the recipes from my grandma. And I’m making that happen. Over the last few years with school and starting my bakery, there hasn’t been time for friends or boyfriends. It probably would have been easier if I had moved to Seattle to be closer to my parents. But when I was in school, I’d made some valuable Chicago contacts that took me under their wing, and I didn’t feel right about leaving. Even though my shop is still small, I have big plans. In a few years, I hope to open a second location, which means I’ll have even less time to be social.