Page 21 of The Great Maple Mistake (Love in Maplewood #8)

“Trust me.” I know exactly what I want from this shot.

“For this one, let’s go next to the building.

” He shrugs and follows me, Charlie trailing behind us with Cody’s gear.

“Okay, put on your coat.” Charlie holds it out, and I can see him stealing glances at Cody’s bare chest. Cody takes the coat and shrugs into it, leaving the front hanging open.

“Okay, lean back against the wall like you’re casually hanging out with the guys.

” I start taking pictures, moving around to shoot him from different angles.

God, he’s beautiful. “Look to the right.”

He laughs. “Your right or my right?”

Fair question. “Your right. Grab the edge of your jacket and hold it away from your body like you’re airing it out.

” I have an idea for some post-production smoke I could add, like his body is so hot it’s steaming.

Which isn’t far from reality. I know I’m about ready to combust over here.

“Perfect. Now, put one foot up on the wall behind you.” He does as I’ve asked, and, fuck me, the sexy factor ratchets up about a million percent.

I hear Charlie make another choking sound.

Yeah, buddy, I feel ya. “Okay, Charlie, can you grab Tux and give him to Cody?”

Cody’s expression switches from smoldering and sexy to boyish and excited.

He holds out his hands the moment he sees the kitten.

“Bring me my boy.” His slight baby-talk tone is adorable, and now it’s not just my body that’s melting.

My heart is too. Cody takes the kitten from Charlie and nuzzles the side of his head.

I shake myself and get back into work mode, bringing the camera up and snapping away.

“Hello, Tux. You missed Daddy, didn’t you?

You’re purring up a storm.” Oh god. My heart is going to explode from the cuteness.

Tux rubs his head against Cody’s jaw and then sets his paws on Cody’s shoulder. “Do you think he’d stay if you set him up there?”

“On my shoulder?” Cody shrugs. “We can try.” He looks at Charlie. “Will you stay close in case he decides to bolt?”

Charlie nods and locks his eyes on Tux. “We have Tux’s sister.”

Cody grins at him. “That’s right. Did you guys give her a name?”

His lips twitch like he’s fighting a smirk. “Mabel.”

Even though I mentioned the name to him a few days ago, Cody laughs like he’s hearing it for the first time.

“Like the town cryptid?” Charlie grins and nods, then launches into a story about the kitten and her antics, now that she’s feeling better.

Cody somehow manages to focus his attention on the story while still smoldering at the camera.

“We’ll have to get them together and let them play. ”

“Oh, I think she’d love that. I’ll mention it to Finn.”

Before Charlie starts to feel awkward again, I redirect their attention.

“Okay, Cody, see if Tux will sit on your shoulder. Charlie, get ready to grab him if he tries to make a run for it.” I raise my camera and start shooting.

It takes a few tries, but somehow, Cody gets Tux to sit and stay. “Okay, look at me, please.”

Cody turns, giving me a proud, genuine smile, and I swear Tux is smiling too.

And looking smug. I get a dozen quick shots before Tux decides he’s had enough of perching on Cody’s shoulder.

Cody lifts his arm, trying to keep the kitten in place, but he’s having none of it.

As if a road has opened in front of him, Tux takes a stroll down Cody’s arm.

I continue to snap pictures as Charlie laughs.

When the kitten gets to Cody’s hand, he turns his palm over and Tux walks right into it.

Cody pulls the little guy against his chest, keeping him safe.

I snap a few more pictures and call it done.

“I think I have enough shots from just this one session to make an entire calendar. That was amazing.”

“We make a great team.” Cody kisses Tux on the head and scratches behind his ears. The kitten leans into Cody’s fingers, eyes closing with pleasure. And now I’m jealous of a cat.

I lower my camera and walk toward them. “You do. Someone should write a children’s book about you two. The Adventures of Cody and Tux .”

“Alex! Cody! Come get some treats.” We both turn as Rae calls our names.

I look at Charlie and jerk my head toward the baked goods table. “Do you want something? I’m buying.” Charlie’s stomach growls, and I have my answer. “Come on.” He grins, and Cody and I follow him to the table. “Hey, Rae, Eleanor, Agnes, Lydia, Celia. Have you met Charlie yet?”

Rae waves me off. “Of course we have. How are you, Charlie?”

Charlie shrugs in typical teenager fashion, but he answers her politely. “Good. I’m helping with the calendar shoot.” He eyes the desserts on the table. “Is that banana bread?”

Eleanor smiles widely at him. “It is! Would you like some?”

“Yes, please.” Charlie looks back at me.

I grin, trying to convey that he’s fine to order whatever he wants. “I’m buying, Eleanor. For him and Cody.”

She winks at me and hands Charlie a slice of banana bread.

Cody steps up and peruses the offerings. “I like banana bread.”

“You can’t have it.” We all stop and stare at Rae. “There’s a maple glaze on it. You’ll die.”

His brows furrow. “I promise I won’t die.”

She looks affronted. “Don’t be so cavalier about something so serious.”

Before Cody can say anything else, Lydia cuts in. “Rae told us all about your allergy so we’d be cautious when selling you any of the treats. She said you’d try to fluff off your allergy, but Rae’s right, that’s nothing to treat lightly.”

“But I’m not—”

Celia rolls her eyes and shoves a baggie at him. “Here.” It looks like chocolate chip cookies. “We made a few things without maple, just for you.”

Cody’s expression softens, and he takes the bag of cookies. “Thank you.” His tone is soft, and he blinks a few times, obviously touched by the thoughtful gesture. “You didn’t have to.”

Lydia nods. “Yes, we did. We didn’t want you to feel left out or neglected.”

His cheeks pink and he lets the allergy mistake go. I’m pretty sure it’s just for now, though. “Thank you.”

I turn to Charlie. “You want something else?” He’s already consumed the banana bread.

“Nah. You don’t have to feed me.” He eyes the table again.

“Go on. Get a few things.” I nudge him. “Seriously. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it.”

Charlie gives me a small smile. “Thanks.”

He turns back to the table and Agnes tells him all about each dessert.

Rae, looking like she’s won the lottery, interrupts Agnes’s recitation to point out all the desserts that are maple free.

When Agnes gets to the lemon pound cake, and Rae verifies it has zero maple in it, Cody’s eyes light up. “I’ll have a slice of that, please.”

Rae nods approvingly. “It’s my family recipe. Loads better than that preservative-filled version at Starbucks.” She hands him a small plate with a slice of pound cake, and he takes a bite, moaning dramatically as he chews.

“Rae, this is spectacular.”

She beams and pats his arm. “Thank you. Now, Alex, honey, what do you want?”

“I’ll have a cupcake please. Yellow cake and vanilla frosting are my favorite.” She hands me a cupcake, and I give her a twenty. When she offers me my change, I wave it away. “It’s for charity. Just put it back in the till.”

She winks at me. “Such a good boy.”

Cody, Charlie, and I turn and walk back toward the engine bay, where we’re conducting the shoot. Charlie glances at Cody, a frown on his face. “I thought you weren’t really allergic to maple.”

The sigh that Cody makes is exasperated and exhausted. “I’m not. And I keep trying to tell them that. But they insist that I’m not taking my allergy seriously or I’m playing it down.”

Charlie’s expression clears, and he grins ruefully. “Yeah, they’re a bit—” He tries to find a polite way of saying overbearing. Or at least that’s the word I’d be searching for. “Nice but bossy?”

Cody and I both stare at Charlie and then burst into laughter.

Cody waves his lemon cake at Charlie. “Exactly!” He takes another bite.

“But they mean well. I get that. I just hope they aren’t angry with me when they find out I’m not actually allergic to maple.

Especially since they’ve gone out of their way to make stuff without it just for me. ”

“Okay, guys, eat up. We have the rest of this shoot to finish.” I glance at Charlie. “Who’s up next?”

He jogs to the table we’ve been using as our catch-all area and flips through the schedule. “Vega? Finn’s tech, Al?”

“It’s his son. Have you met him yet?”

Charlie shakes his head. “I’ve met Al, of course. But I haven’t met Eric.”

Like he’s been summoned, he appears. “Hey there.”

We turn toward the voice, and it’s all I can do not to laugh as Charlie takes in a shirtless Eric Vega, who is easily the biggest guy on the crew.

The man has muscles on his muscles. He holds his hand out to Charlie, who is staring at him like he’s not sure if he wants to lick him or run away.

Charlie slowly raises his hand and shakes Eric’s. “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie.”

Out of nowhere, someone new shoves their way into the mix. He thrusts his hand at Charlie, forcing him to drop Eric’s and shake his. “I’m Tyler Williams.”

“Hi. Charlie.” Even though Tyler is also a good-looking guy, he’s closer to average good-looking than either Cody or Eric, and that seems to put Charlie at ease. “Nice to meet you too.”

Tyler smiles and puts his hands in his pockets, edging himself further between Eric and Charlie until they all take a step back, and Tyler takes a breath, his shoulders relaxing. “So…”

I turn to Cody, raising an eyebrow in an attempt to ask what the antics are all about. Cody grins and shrugs, and I roll my eyes in response. “Thanks. Not helpful.” That makes him laugh. “Okay, Eric, you’re up next. How about we get you one of the shelter dogs and start this photo shoot?”

“Sounds good!” His grin is huge, and he nudges Tyler. “This is gonna be so much fun!”

I put a hand on Charlie’s arm. “Why don’t you go get Rocket for us?”

Charlie nods and takes off toward the area where the animals are being held. Cody pulls me into his arms and I glance toward Tyler and Eric, and then around the engine bay. Cody pulls back and catches my gaze. “Is this okay?”

His concern is clear, and I feel like a jerk. “Yes. It’s absolutely fine. I just wasn’t sure if—well, you work with these guys. And I wouldn’t want to make things difficult for you.”

“They all know I’m crazy about you.”

That stops my brain from spiraling. “What?”

“Yup. Don’t you read Maplewood Matters?”

Groaning, I briefly close my eyes. “As a matter of fact, no. I don’t. Intentionally.”

“Well, we went out to Red’s, and ten minutes after we sat down, the entire town knew we were on a date.”

I cover my face. That’s so much pressure to put on him. “And you’re okay with that?”

He leans down and rests his forehead against mine.

“I’m more than okay with that, Alex. I’m excited about it.

I’m thrilled about it. I want every person in this town to know I think you’re an amazing person, and I’m beyond happy that you want to be with me.

” He leans back a little. “You do want that, right?”

I slip my arms around his waist and pull him back against me. “Yes. I do. Very much.” His declaration firms my resolve. It’s time we had a serious talk about taking things to the next step. Because I’m more than ready.