She watched as Rylee looked out the window. She didn’t seem to be in fear for her life, but definitely avoiding someone. Joyelle knew too damn well what that was like. She was hoping to avoid a certain someone herself. Joyelle gestured to the door behind her. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Yeah, don’t let them follow me.”
“You got it, but do I need to call the police? Ace is next door. I can get him over here to protect you.” Joyelle had no idea why she even suggested such a thing. She and Ace weren’t comfortable enough to call on each other in times of distress. Normally, Rylee would’ve picked up on such a slip and would’ve spent the next hour hounding her with a million questions about this mysterious man. But Rylee was too distracted. Maybe she was having her own man troubles. If Joyelle wasn’t worried Ace would show up any minute, she’d insist Rylee sit and tell her all about it. There’s not much that tea and cupcakes can’t fix.
“No, I just need to disappear for a while.”
Joyelle quickly looked Rylee over for any physical sign that there might be something serious going on. She was confident that if Rylee was in any danger, she’d be seeking Joyelle’s assistance rather than sneaking out the back. More likely it had to do with Joyelle’s old boss, Nate. Everyone could see their unspoken attraction. Some things you can’t run from. Joyelle wanted to know what the hell was going on, but the look in Rylee’s eyes said she wasn’t going to be forthcoming with any information. Not now, at least. With a nod and a supportive smile, she tried to reassure her friend. “Then go. I’ve got your back.”
Rylee flew through the back and out the door, and Joyelle made a mental note to call and check in on her if she didn’t hear from Rylee in a few days. Everyone needed downtime, Joyelle probably more than any of her friends. Whatever was going on with Rylee, Joyelle would be here for her when she was ready or needed to talk.
Just like she’s done for me many times before.
Joyelle walked over to look out the front window, just as Rylee had done. Only one person was out there and he was coming her way. Damn it. Was it too late to bolt like Rylee had? Since her car was parked in their adjoining lot, it wasn’t like she could make a clean getaway. Besides, what was she running from? He’d be in and out quick.
She hurried back to the counter and prepared his coffee. When she turned around with his to-go cup, he was already at the counter. She’d heard the door chime, but his speed and grace surprised her. How could someone so large move so quietly?
Joyelle handed him the cup and said, “Just the way you like it.”
“Thanks,” he replied.
“And I have good news for you, too. You’re off the hook for the photo today,” Joyelle smiled. Keeping it upbeat and positive would get positive results, right?
“Awesome. I’d love to see it.”
See it? “Oh, I’m kind of busy right now. Maybe we can do it another time?”
Ace peered at her, and then said, “Why would you lie about finding it?”
She wouldn’t. And she hadn’t either. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t have the picture,” he said firmly.
“I don’t believe I said I did.”
Ace cocked a brow. “But you said I’m off the hook.” Then he nodded. “I get it. You don’t want my help, even though you need it.”
“What makes you think I need you?” she asked with her hands on her hips. Joyelle made it a point not to rely on anyone. They’d only disappoint you.
“Because your grandma said so. If you have no issue with breaking her heart, I can take my coffee and leave,” Ace said.
Damn him. This was an impossible situation. And another bunch of customers entered. Joyelle whispered, “As you can see, this is not a good time to discuss this.”
Ace turned to the women and boldly asked their opinion. “Good morning, ladies,” he said with a bright smile, one he never bothered giving her. “Joyelle here is looking for something for her grandma. She’s not sure if she wants my help or not. What do you think she should do?”
Joyelle watched the customers swoon over him. “Oh, she should let you,” one said. Another added with a smirk, “You can help me.”
She rolled her eyes and tried to draw their attention back to the reason they came to her shop. “Ladies, what sweets are you looking for today?” They were all practically licking Ace like a frosted cupcake. It was disgusting to watch. How could grown-ass women be drooling over a man like that in public?
Joyelle looked at Ace, who was now introducing himself.
“I’ve seen you riding around town,” one said. “You know, you should wear a helmet. I mean, it’d be a shame if anything happened to…you.”
Oh, it was getting sickening. In a louder voice Joyelle said, “Ladies, nothing is going to happen to Ace. Now can I help you before Ace and I get back to what we were doing?”
Joyelle saw the slight curl of his lips. He thought he’d won. That wasn’t the case. She needed him to stop distracting her customers so she could make the sale. When he approached the counter with them, she thought for sure it was about to start all over again. But Ace surprised her.
“Have you ladies tried these?” he pointed to the highest priced cupcakes in her display. “They are my favorite.”
That was all it took. Before Joyelle knew it, the ladies had purchased the entire tray. Maybe a sexy man with his shirt unbuttoned was what worked best for marketing her treats, but no way was she about to make this a habit. When the customers finally left, it was time to have another chat with Ace.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“I was helping you sell your product. You’re welcome, by the way,” Ace replied.
“I do appreciate you suggesting my ‘death by dessert’ cupcakes, but that’s not what I was referring to. My customers don’t need to know my personal business.”
“You seemed to be concerned about whether you should trust me to help or not. I thought an impartial opinion might be in order.”
“I think strutting your body in front of them removed them from the impartial category.”
“Strutting? I don’t I strut. I stand,” he stated.
“Believe what you think, but those ladies would side with me on this one.” Probably not. All Ace needed to do was look at them and Joyelle didn’t seem to exist anymore.
“You’re probably right.”
“I am?” she asked unbelievingly.
“I might have polished off that box of sweets you gave me.”
She couldn’t help but be pleased hearing that. There might have been a time or two where she thought her goodies were getting stale on some desk. “I’m glad you enjoyed them.”
“Too much. I’m more of a meat and potato guy. I usually avoid sugary foods.”
It shows too. Joyelle had to taste everything she baked and that meant it was hard to keep the pounds off. Someone like Ace, pure muscle, wouldn’t understand her struggles.
“Is that your way of saying you won’t be coming by my shop much?” she asked. Now what did you go and say that for, Joyelle? It was what she wanted, but now it almost sounded like she was…disappointed in the idea. He must really think I’m nuts.
“I’ll be here. For coffee anyway.”
She bit her lip so her inner smile would remain hidden. “Why don’t I get you a fresh cup, since that one is probably cold by now?”
He handed her an empty cup and said, “I’ll have a second one, thanks. So have you changed your mind?”
“About?” she asked as she refilled his cup.
“Me helping you.”
“Oh. That. Well…it’s…I’m…”
“It’s simple. Yes or no. Not everything needs a long story,” he teased.
“That isn’t the way to make friends you know,” she warned.
“Joyelle, I have a feeling you’re not as delicate as you make yourself out to be. So, tell me, why don’t you want me to help?”
“I thought you
didn’t want to.”
“I changed my mind,” he said.
“Why?”
He laughed. “Nothing is easy with you, is it?”
She shrugged.
“Because I wanted to see you again. Is there an issue with that?”
She shook her head. Joyelle also didn’t believe that. Ace obviously could have any woman he wanted. Hell, the three that were in there a few moments ago would’ve dropped their husband and boyfriends for him. So what was his real motive?
“There’s no issue. You know my hours of operation. Stop in any time.”
If Ace picked up on her dismissal, he gave no indication of it. “I answered your question, how about mine?”
Might as well tell him the truth. “My apartment is a disaster.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I don’t want you seeing my apartment for the first time in that disarray.” Even if Rylee had wanted to come up and talk, Joyelle would’ve been embarrassed.
“So what you’re saying is to come back tomorrow and we can look then?” Ace asked.
That wasn’t what she meant at all. She really didn’t want him in her apartment, clean or dirty. “If I don’t locate it myself before then.”
“Okay. That’s fair. I’ll be back around the same time.” She nodded and he added, “But I’ll take one of those molasses cookies to go.”
“I thought you didn’t do sugar?” she asked.
“I try to avoid it. Guess you found my weakness,” he said with a wink.
“Well, you’re in for a treat. I make these with molasses that a friend of mine sends from Portugal. It’s dark and sweet and…”
“Makes a good cookie. Got it.”
Joyelle blushed. “Oh, I was rambling again, wasn’t I?”
“You’re passionate about what you do,” he replied.
“I am. Sometimes too much.” Like now. Ace didn’t care where she got her ingredients from or how much time and effort she put into making each treat perfect.
With his cookie and coffee in hand, he said, “Tomorrow, coffee only.”
Joyelle nodded. “Then you don’t want to come too early. I’m baking something special and don’t want it to be your downfall.”
Ace sighed and shook his head. “Don’t tell me. I’ll be over when I smell it coming out of the oven.”
Joyelle loved baking early because it enticed customers to purchase more. Of course it also was a constant temptation to eat too much. Not a bad problem unless you live there, or as she was now learning, next door. “You can smell it from your shop?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Sweet torture every day. See you in the morning,” he said and headed for the door.
And I’ll be up all night cleaning.
Before he left, he turned and asked, “Unless you want to join me for dinner.”
Was he asking her out? Joyelle wasn’t prepared for that. She wanted to say yes, but her fear was that they’d be going out on his bike. It wasn’t something she could bring herself to do. Not even if it meant her arms would be wrapped around that gorgeous body of his.
“Thanks. Sounds great, but I have a lot to do tonight.”
Ace stared at her and she felt as though he could see her fears. It was unnerving, and she was forced to look away. The next thing she heard was the chime of the door as Ace left.
God, I’m just as bad as those women. He’s just a man. A sexy-as-hell, probably-could-rock-my-world man.
Thoughts like those weren’t going to help her accomplish anything today. The only juices she needed flowing right now were her creative ones. Business is where my mind should be.
Joyelle took his empty coffee cup and tossed it in the trash. She had her chance with him and blew it. Somehow she knew she was going to regret that move. Probably every time I see him.
Luckily, before she was able to chase after him, another customer entered. That’s exactly what she needed - to be busy. Too busy to think about Ace. If there was such a thing.
* * *
“Yes Carl, your design is ready. Did you want me to come by so we can discuss any changes you want?” Ace asked. The only problem with Carl was he had no idea what he wanted, that is, until he saw the design. Then he could tell Ace what he didn’t like. It was an ass-backwards way of doing things, but Carl had purchased four custom bikes so far. If he wanted to keep throwing money in Ace’s direction, he’d take it. Repeat customers were good for business.
“Why don’t we meet for breakfast and you can show me then?” Carl suggested.
Ace normally would agree to whatever Carl requested. But he wasn’t about to miss his coffee with Joyelle. There was something different about her and he wanted to learn what that was. “No can do. I…already have a commitment in the morning. What about tonight?”
“I guess I can do tonight. Guess things are going quite well for you. Your schedule used to be wide open.”
“Don’t worry Carl, I’ll always make sure I have plenty of time to work on your bikes. Which, if I’m correct, you said this was the last one.”
Carl laughed. “I say that every time. But I’m dating this woman and I’d really like to give her something special. I’ll tell you about her at dinner and maybe you can come up with a special design just for her?”
That wasn’t the first bike Carl had purchased for someone else. Didn’t the guy believe in flowers or chocolates like normal people?
“You got it. I’ll bring my sketchpad along.”
He was already overbooked, but Ace wasn’t about to turn anyone away. The ride was good right now and it could end at any time. All it would take is one unhappy customer and Wild Custom Rides reputation would be over. Carl wasn’t one of those customers he could risk pissing off. But he also knew Carl didn’t respect weakness either.
“Better make the bike quick, because you can never tell how long this relationship will last,” Carl laughed. “She’s a feisty one.”
“You mean she won’t let you have your way all the time?” Ace asked.
“How about any of the time?” Carl answered. “But I like the challenge.”
Ace knew exactly what Carl meant. Maybe that’s what attracted him to Joyelle. She wasn’t falling all over him and being so…easy to get. Nothing wrong with a little game of chase. Of course, he wasn’t crazy like Carl was and about to lavish Joyelle with a twenty to thirty-thousand dollar gift either.
“Well then, I’ll make sure I create something worthy to win her over,” Ace replied.
“She’s hard to please, she’s not into chrome, so you’re going to really need to come up with something different.”
“How does she feel about saddle bags?”
“She’s more the unicorn type. God, don’t put a gold horn on the front of that thing or I won’t be riding anywhere near her,” Carl warned.
“And I wouldn’t put my name on that bike either,” Ace replied. Declining to build it was a different story. He might be busy, but not to the point he could afford to turn away business, even if it was going to look horrendous.
“Good. Then I’ll see you at six for dinner?” Carl asked.
“Yes, and I’ll try to come up with something different for her.”
“I knew I could count on you,” Carl said before ending the call.
Ace looked at his schedule. He hadn’t planned on taking on another order right now. Especially one that seemed like a rush job. He took out his sketch pad and stared at it for a few minutes. Unicorns? Really? That made him think of something a little kid would dream of. Ace hadn’t thought like a kid for years. Hell, he wasn’t sure he did even when he was a kid. He’d always dreamed of bikes.
If he was going to come up with something, he needed more coffee. Walking over to the cabinet he pulled out the box of pods and found it empty. The only thing left in the shop to drink was water and that was useless. Looking out the window, he saw the answer to his problem only a little more than a hundred feet away. He’d told her he’d be back in the morning. How w
ould she feel if he showed up now?
Grateful for business, I’d hope.
He grabbed his keys and headed to Tasty Tarts. When he walked in, he was glad to see she still had customers. Although her display case seemed to be running low. He doubted that she ate it all, so she must have had a pretty good day today. Once they were alone, he went up to the counter and asked, “Still have a pot of coffee on?”
Joyelle nodded. “Are you looking for a cup or the entire pot?”
He chuckled. “I think I’m going to need more than one cup.”
She poured him a cup and one for herself too. He could tell, because she added sugar and cream in the second one.
“Let’s sit and you can tell me what’s got you looking stressed.”
As he joined her at the table he said, “Not stressed, but unable to focus.”
“I’d offer you a cupcake, but they’re sold out. Hmm, maybe a brownie?”
Ace laughed. “No. I need something different from you.”
“Oh?” she said.
Her eyes widened, and he knew he was giving the wrong signal. “I have a customer who is asking for something I’m not sure I can deliver.”
She seemed to relax as she asked, “Want to tell me about it? Maybe I can help.”
“What do you know about motorcycle designs?” he asked.
Joyelle shook her head. “Nothing. I don’t like motorcycles at all.”
Ace raised a brow. “Really? What don’t you like? The noise? The safety issue? The reputation behind them?”
“All of the above and more,” she replied flatly. “I guess I’m not the one to help you after all.”
He knew that people who were so dead set against bikes usually had a reason behind it. “I wouldn’t say that. Maybe if you come over to my shop, I can show you a few of my bikes.”
“No, thank you,” she responded firmly.
“How about if you help me here?” Ace asked.
“You’re not bringing any of your bikes in here,” she snapped.
He laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of scuffing up your floors. Believe it or not, we do have something in common.”
“What is that?” Joyelle asked.
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