Page 22 of Tangled Hearts

I don’t know what it is about him that gets me so riled up, but I have to bite back the snarky comeback poised on the tip of my tongue so I can be myself and not some bratty version of myself. “Good morning to you.”

A huge smile spreads across his face. “You look adorably grumpy today.”

Well, if that’s how he wants to be, then I can certainly play along. “Well, if you hadn’t kept me waiting so long, I wouldn’t be. The good mood train left the station already.”

He laughs, like I’ve somehow said the funniest thing he’s ever heard. I roll my eyes and turn on my heel, stalking into the bakery without even waiting to see if he’s following me.

He is, of course he is, because I’ve barely made it into the building when he’s working his way past me. His chest brushes my back, and tingles explode through me from the touch and the scent of his cologne filling my nostrils. God, he’s so annoying. Hot. Trying to take my uncle. Smells good. Too nice. And now he’s making me do some weird, tingly thing. The audacity.

Nic pauses, turning to look back at me. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Ugh.

We step up to the counter where Mia is standing. Her eyes are volleying back and forth between us and she’s got a slight smirk on her face. “Back so soon, boys? What can I get for you?”

Nic looks at me and I shrug. “Same thing as always.”

“Same for me,” Nic says. “I’ll also take one of the scones I had yesterday morning.” My eyes fly to him. He got a scone yesterday? Is that because of what I said? “Do you want one too?”

I shake my head. “No thank you. I alreadyate breakfast.”

Mia starts getting our order ready, and Nic pulls out a credit card. I barely resist the urge to burst into laughter. He must sense it because he looks at me with a wry grin. “What?”

“You have puppies on your card.”

He holds it up in front of us. “Duh. I love animals.”

“It’s cute,” I say, giggling. I mean it too. I’m not even being snarky.

I think he can tell because he smiles at me. “Thank you.”

He really has such nice eyes. Sigh. Warm and rich with little flecks of blue and green. Really freaking pretty.

“Here you go, guys,” Mia says, startling me. I turn to look at her and she’s placed our order on the counter. Nic swipes his cards, adding an obscene tip. I need him to stop doing things that are going to make me like him.

Once he’s paid, he grabs his cup and his scone. “Hey, Mia. Would it be okay if I left my car here today?”

Mia nibbles her bottom lip, fighting a smile. I don’t know what she’s smiling about. Who wants a car parked in their parking lot all day? And besides… “I thought you were coming to volunteer with me?”

“I am,” he confirms. “But I was hoping I could ride with you.”

Oh.

“That’s totally fine. You’re more than welcome to leave it here.”

Nic thanks her and turns around. I follow him out to my car, a little dumbstruck.

I’m driving down the highway—trying my level best to ignore how much space Nic is taking up—when Sasha calls me. I answer, letting my Bluetooth take the call. “Hello.”

“Hey, Eli. Lexi’s having a hard time today and she’s asking for you.”

I can practically feel Nic’s eyes on me. That’s my girl, though. My little buddy, so there’s no way I’m going to let her down. “Okay, I was on my way to the center, but let me turn around and call Dad to let him know I’m heading there first.”

“Thanks, Eli,” Sasha says, relief clear in her voice. When she hangs up, I immediately call Dad.

“Hey, kid, what’s up?”

“Hey, I’m going to Safe Haven for a bit. Sasha called me, and Lexi’s having a rough morning. She’s asking for me.”