Page 8 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)

Chapter 8

Kenzie

S tephanie is a genius. Ever since the Steel Your Heart gala, the bakery phone hasn’t stopped ringing and the foot traffic into the shop has been insane. It’s only been a month and I’ve already had to hire two additional employees, one for upfront and one to help me bake.

It’s Saturday afternoon and we’ve finally slowed down. The shop is only open for another hour, and because we’re closed tomorrow, I’m in the back, cleaning. Toby, my new cashier, peeks his head through our swinging double doors. In the short time he’s worked for me, our friendship has blossomed. At almost six feet, his skinny frame towers over me. He is the perfect vibe for the shop. A complete hipster from his tight, ripped jeans to his ever-present beanie. At twenty-one, Toby knows who he is. He’s definitely handsome, with the perfect five o’clock shadow and thick-framed glasses.

“Hey, Kenzie. You have a very handsome visitor up front.” He smirks, then disappears. Instantly, Josh Logan flashes into my mind, and I reprimand myself. He’s a bad boy and not someone you need to be interested in.

Wiping my hands on my apron and pulling off my hair net, I step out front and my eyes fall on the incredibly handsome man casually talking to Toby. My stomach drops. Why did it have to be him? My palms sweat and my blood pressure jumps as I make my way over to them.

Our gazes connect, and my heart flutters. This isn’t good.

“Hi, Kenzie. Told you I’d stop by,” Josh says in a deep, sexy voice. Damn him. Why does he have to be so attractive? Standing there in a pair of well-worn jeans and a dark blue Henley, my pulse hammers at the sight of him. His effortless look is doing things to me that have my mouth parched and my knees weak. How is that possible? This man is an ass. Or at least that’s what I’ve seen splattered all across social media.

About a month before the gala, I’d been wasting time on TikTok and had come across the page of an influencer who’s hit it big in the city. In the last few years, the number of her followers has skyrocketed, and she’s gone viral. Lucky. Apparently, besides being a doppelg?nger for model Hailey Baldwin, she used to live with and date Josh Logan. Yes, the same one who’s now standing in my bakery. I couldn’t compete with that. Even if I wanted to.

“Josh,” I say. He gives me a panty-dropping smile that makes my knees weak.

Toby turns toward me and whispers, “Kenzie, say something else.”

Nervous, I stumble through another mashup of words. “Uh… hi… I mean, how are you?” Mortified by my lack of social skills, I want to slink into the back and hide for at least an hour after the shop closes.

A customer steps up behind Josh, and when he tries to get out of the way, he’s recognized. “Josh Logan,” the woman gasps. Turning to greet the fan, I realize this is the perfect chance to escape. I’m just about to bolt when Toby steps in my way.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He smirks at me, and I try my best to glare, but because I suck at it, I’m sure it’s more sweet than sour.

“I need to finish cleaning the back and inventory the walk-in to make sure I have enough eggs, butter, and milk for next week. Why?”

Stepping closer, he lowers his voice. “I already did the inventory for next week. We’re great. Why are you running from him? He definitely seems interested. And in case you didn’t notice, he’s hella hot.”

Folding my arms across my chest, I reply, “I appreciate you taking care of the inventory. Thank you. I’m not running, and he’s definitely not interested.”

Toby clucks at me. “Really, Kenzie? The entire time you’ve been trying to escape while he’s distracted with a fan, he’s kept his eyes on you.”

“What?” I choke out. Looking around Toby, sure enough, Josh is focused on me despite the conversation he’s having with a gushing fan. They take a selfie and then he excuses himself, heading toward me with the sexiest smile dusting his lips. Swoon. Shut up, brain.

“So… what have you been up to since the gala?” he asks, seemingly genuinely interested. Is he, though?

“I’ve been busy here. Business has kind of exploded since then,” I tell him while looking around my quaint shop. It isn’t much, but it’s all mine, and I’ve put everything into it. It’s built on blood, sweat, and tears, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.

Again with the smile. This man is killing me. “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. Did you stop in to pick up something?”

Josh shakes his head, and I’m confused. “Then what did you need?” I question.

Stepping closer, he lowers his voice so our conversation remains between us. “Honestly, Kenzie, I came by to ask you out for coffee.”

“You did?” Is this really happening? Maybe Toby was right; maybe Josh is interested. But what about all the things I saw on social media? Every platform I’d visited seemed to have its focus on him. His name was mud. And making it worse is he hasn’t defended himself. Nothing is on his social media accounts attempting to disprove Kayla’s claims. Why doesn’t he defend himself? What are people supposed to believe? It’s so confusing. I’ve learned that when people are seeking attention, they’ll say or do just about anything to keep everyone’s focus. So, what’s the truth?

Shifting my feet, I don’t know what to say. I don’t really date. And if I did, it wouldn’t be a professional athlete who is way out of my league, even if half of what’s on social media is true.

“It’s just coffee. No pressure,” he assures, but I’m still hesitant.

Looking into his eyes, I explain, “I don’t really have time to date. I’m pretty much married to this place. When I’m not here, I’m sleeping.” My words are true, but it isn’t what he wants to hear.

He hangs his head. “At least it isn’t because I’m a professional athlete or the lies being spread about me.” He shrugs his shoulders and steps back, ready to leave.

How did he know? “I’m sorry, Josh,” I admit.

“For what?” He steps closer, clearly confused about my apology.

“I saw all that stuff about you… and it is the main reason I said no.”

Looking dejected, he mutters “fuck” under his breath. Hanging his head again, he shifts his stance and asks, “The main reason?”

I just nod, unsure of what to say.

He looks up, his eyes clear and pleading. “It’s all lies, Kenzie. I wish I could explain it easily, but it involves a whole long story that I hate to relive if you’ve already decided about me.”

Worried I made a rush judgement, I wringing my hands together. What if he’s telling the truth, and it’s all lies?

Josh pulls his cell phone from his pocket and angrily types a message to someone while he grumbles, “I can’t believe Kayla is still fucking with my life.” Then he raises his eyes to mine. “All of it is lies, and I’m going to prove it to you.” Then he forces a smile, making me want to believe him.

I hate confrontation, and that’s what this feels like. I’m judging Josh unfairly and being called on it, and now I’m full of nervous energy, twisting and pulling at my fingers. Josh watches my every move, reaching out to take my left hand in his grasp. His much larger hand nestling mine, the thumb of his other hand tracing circles around the center of my palm. His hands are huge, his fingertips rough, the nails neat and trim, but it’s the sizzle and crackle of lightning that shoots all over my body, that makes me stand up straight . What the hell was that?

I take my first real deep breath since Josh walked into my bakery. “Did you feel that?”

Josh, still holding my hand, squeezes, then shakes his head no. “Kenzie, how do you feel about grabbing coffee?”

“I wasn’t kidding when I said I practically live here. My only day off is Sunday, and that day is just mine. I sleep in, run errands, and do chores.”

He gives me a tender smile that registers heat in the middle of my chest. “You’re busy, I get that. How about I come to you? What time does the bakery open?”

My mouth drops open. He’s joking, right? Let’s see. “I get here by three a.m. to get things started. The shop opens at seven.” He nods, and I bet he’s reconsidering his offer. His interest was short-lived.

“You have a coffee machine, right?” he asks, already knowing the answer. I just smile.

“Can I use it?” he asks, and I flinch. There’s no way he knows how to use a commercial espresso machine. “I know what that look means. I worked in a coffee shop when I was in high school. I could blow your mind with my latte art.” His sexy smirk makes my heart flutter. Blow my mind?

“R-really?” I stutter. “You want to wake up incredibly early, make me a fancy coffee drink, and talk, all while I make an excessive number of baked items?” Why?

He smiles widely. “Yes.”

“Why?” I finally question. Is he pranking me? He can’t be serious.

Tugging his free hand through his hair, he looks frustrated. He lets a breath out, makes eye contact, and admits, “Because you seem like someone I want to get to know.” Is he for real? I mean, that’s a good line, and he’s definitely making me rethink my opinion of him. But I’m no one. Why would he want to get to know me? He could have any woman he wanted. Josh squeezes my hand again, bringing me back to our conversation. “Is that a yes?”

“I guess so,” I answer hesitantly.

He tilts his head at me. He is so handsome. My stomach flutters like a hundred butterflies have taken flight.

“Yes, I’ll have coffee with you.” He smiles. “But I understand it’s early, and if you don’t show, I won’t be surprised.” His smile falls. Will he come? Wishing I could silence the internal dialogue telling me I’m not good enough, I grit my teeth. Guess we’ll see.

He steps closer, so we’re toe-to-toe, and places a kiss on the hand he’s been holding. He runs a finger down the side of my face, tucking in a stray hair behind my ear before he lowers his husky voice and says, “When I say I’m going to do something. I’m going to do it. You’ll see.” Then he winks, and it hits me right in the knees, making me sway.

Watching him walk away, I’m stunned at what had just happened. “Wow,” I whisper to myself.

Toby steps up next to me. “Did you just agree to a coffee date with Josh Logan, the hottest professional hockey player out there?”

Blushing, I dip my head. “I did.” Wait, did he just say the hottest guy in the NHL? “Did I make a mistake? Should I have said no?” Panic sets in and my mind floods with all the reasons I should have said no.

Toby puts his hands on my shoulders. “Kenzie. Stop analyzing this. Just let it be what it is.”

My eyes popping wide, I screech, “What is it?”

He laughs at me, and I give him a puny-sounding growl. “It’s a coffee date. Nothing more. Slow your roll, cinnamon.”

I croak out a laugh at his weak dad joke and shake my head. “You’re right. It’s just a coffee date at my bakery.”