Desires, Sweets, Secrets (Men of NatEx #2): A Package Handlers Novel

by Kyle Autumn

With a single nod, he grins the smallest amount possible. I’m sure his restrained emotion has something to do with the past he refuses to talk about, but that’s a story for another day.

  “Meli, this is Aidan,” I say to introduce these two as soon as she’s at my side again.

  She wraps an arm around my middle as she reaches her other hand out to my friend. “Nice to meet you.”

  He shakes her hand. “I can see why this guy has been a mess for weeks over you.”

  Meli blushes, but I kind of want to punch Aidan. Not because I’m worried he’s going to try to steal my girl. But because he’s so private about everything but he said that in front of Meli. Fortunately for him, I’m too happy that I don’t have to be a mess anymore to do anything to him about it. I just laugh it off and steer Meli to the kitchen.

  Where everyone we love is staring at us the moment we step into the room.

  I eye Dani, who’s sitting next to Matt, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen her since I moved to town. And Matt doesn’t seem upset, but he does have Cadence by his side, so that’s not a surprise. But I’m not sure if she told him, so I raise an eyebrow at Dani to silently ask. She nods almost imperceptibly. Then Matt catches on and puts a hand over the one Dani has on the table. They give each other smiles—his sympathetic and hers grateful. And I know that everything will be okay.

  When I peek at Meli, she looks nervous again. But I don’t know what to say, and the silence in the room is almost deafening. Until her sister breaks it in the way only she can.

  “Does this mean you worked your shit out?”

  Meli’s eyes go wide before she glances around the room.

  “Relax. Aria’s sleeping in one of the bedrooms.” Cass gets up from the table and walks over to the counter near us. “I can say ‘shit’ and she won’t repeat it.”

  “She can probably still hear you in her sleep,” Meli mumbles.

  “Don’t say that,” Derek says from his seat at the table. “You’re probably right.”

  Light laughter breaks out throughout the room, but Cass is having none of it.

  “Seriously!” she squeals. “So?” Her eyebrows nearly hit her hairline as she widens her eyes. “Are all the secrets out? Everything’s good?”

  I nod and then twist my head toward Meli.

  She smiles at her sister. “Yeah. Everything’s good.” She tightens her arm around me, and I squeeze her closer before kissing the top of her head.

  “So you’re doing this?” Cass asks, a hand over her heart.

  Even though I’m pretty sure of the answer, my heart feels like it won’t beat again until I hear Meli’s response to her sister. And that feeling only intensifies when Meli’s answer isn’t what I was expecting.

  First, she steps out of my grasp, heading toward the table—specifically toward Dani. Then she pulls the chair next to Dani’s out and takes a seat, facing her. “Only if you’re okay with it. Because I know things sounded bad. I’m sorry for that, and I’ll fully explain everything to you. You trusted me, so it’s only fair that I trust you with my secrets. But I told Jeremy everything, and he and I are on the same page. We’re in this for the long haul.” She gazes at me as if needing me to confirm, which I do immediately with a nod. “We want you to be okay with it too though.”

  Dani aims her gaze at me. I don’t know what she wants me to say or do, but I’m sure my expression shows her just how much I need her to say yes. My heart is in her hands, and my future rests within her ability to forgive one more time. As I swallow hard, my Adam’s apple bobs with the pressure, and she looks to Meli again.

  “You love my brother?” she asks.

  Meli nods, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “Very much.”

  “And you’re not married?”

  She shakes her head emphatically. “Not anymore.”

  Dani glances at me one more time as if to confirm, and I give her the answer she needs. All I can do is hope that’s enough as the tension grows thicker in the room.

  Then my sister looks so grown up as she takes Meli’s hand in hers and says, “Well, I can see how much my brother loves you too. So I give you my blessing.”

  I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and feel my heart start beating again. It pounds in excitement as I begin to make my way over to my sister and my girlfriend. But Dani speaks again and stops me in my tracks.

  “Under two conditions!” she shouts over the murmurs throughout the room.

  Frozen in my spot, I ask, “Which are?” Nerves skate through my stomach as I wonder what they could possibly be.

  “Number one,” she says, aiming her gaze at Meli. “Do I still have a job?”

  Meli lets out a nervous laugh. “Of course. For as long as you want.”

  “Okay.” Dani smiles. “And number two.”

  I splay my hands out to my sides, gesturing for her to spit it out already.

  “Can we eat already?” she asks, grinning mischievously. “This girl is eating for two and we’re both hungry.”

  At that, all of us break into laughter. In stages, we grab plates and food and gather around the table for a meal as a family. A big, dysfunctional, happy family.

  I’ve never been more grateful for the people in my life. But I have to say that having Meli, the woman I love, by my side makes it that much better. And I can only hope this is the first family dinner of many more to come.

  Epilogue

  Amelia

  A week later, Cass, Gerald, and my grandma walk through the bakery door at closing time. I knew that Cass and Gerald were coming, but I wasn’t aware that my grandma was joining them. Or that she’d stayed in town long enough to be here today. Unfortunately, Jacob found another more lucrative position, so the job was open yet again. Cass and Gerald are bringing the new hire he will train for a week before he retires too. Then we’ll be all on our own.

  I’m both excited and terrified, but I do have to admit that, with Danny gone, the pressure is off. Now that he no longer needs care and his bills are all paid, I’m able to use that money to hire more people do to some more day-to-day tasks. I’ll still do the baking, but it’d be nice to take off for the day once that’s finished.

  Danielle greets my family as they approach the counter. I’m glad she decided to stay on with us after what happened last week. It took a day for her to forgive me, but after her brother did, she did too.

  She’s still here at this time of day because, now that her secret is out, she felt more comfortable with asking me to work full days like I do. And, now that I can afford it, I’m fine with it. From what it sounded like, her whole family knows. Her parents threatened to make her move back home, but she reasoned with them. She’ll need the money while she can still work, and there has even been discussion of her staying here with her brother past the summer. Personally, I think Jeremy likes that idea. He’ll be a great uncle, and I know he still feels partly responsible, so he wants to help her out as much as he can.

  “Hey, guys,” I tell them as I box up the last of the chocolate chip muffins I plan to take back to Jeremy. They’ve become a staple at the bakery, and the customers are happy for it. I always make a little extra for him, but the ones for sale usually sell out quickly. “Have a seat wherever you’d like. Want any coffee?”

  They all decline as they sit around a six-top close to the counter. When I join them, I give them all hugs before sitting. Then I fold my hands together on the tabletop and lean forward.

  “So, where’s the new guy?” I ask.

  “We’ll get to that,” Gerald says. “Don’t you worry about that. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  “Okay,” I say, drawing the word out for a few seconds. “So…what else is going on?” To my grandma, I ask, “When are you going on your next trip?”

  “Actually, I want to talk to you about that,” she tells me, flicking her gaze between me and Gerald.

  Immediately, my heart sinks. Does this mean she’s not going on any more trips? Does she want the bakery
back? Did I mess everything up and she thinks I’m doing such a horrible job that she needs to come out of retirement to save it?

  Cass pipes up, ripping me from the pits of a negative spiral. “Uh, what about it?” She eyes me before looking back at my grandma.

  “Well,” she starts, glancing between the two of us, “I’ve decided to head off to Thailand for a bit, maybe travel through other parts of Asia while I’m there. And I leave in a week and a half.”

  Selfishly, I’m glad for it. Not that I don’t love it when my grandma is in town. If it were up to me, she’d never leave—as long as she doesn’t want the bakery back. I love getting postcards and emails with photos about her trips, but I live and breathe for the bakery and wouldn’t know what to do with myself if she wanted to run it again.

  “That’s great,” I tell her, giving her a warm smile. “Sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see pictures.”

  Cass nods. “Me too. But how long will you be gone this time?”

  Grandma sits up in her chair. “A month at least, but you know me. I’m never quite sure.”

  That’s the truth if I’ve ever heard it. But something about the way she said it makes me wonder what she isn’t saying.

  So I ask, “Does that mean you might move there or something?”

  But she just laughs at that. “Heavens no. You know that my home is here with you girls. I may hardly be here, but I love having a place to land with you two. Keeps me grounded.” She chuckles again, dismissing the thought.

  But still. I’m not convinced that this is it. Not with the way she started this conversation. And, when she catches me eyeing her from the corners of my eyes, she gets the hint.

  “Remember last week? When I said there was something I came here to talk to you about?” she asks. “But then Chocolate Chip Muffin showed up?”

  While laughing, I roll my eyes. “Grandma, he has a name.”

  “I know. And it’s Chocolate Chip Muffin,” she says with a straight face.

  Dani, who’s been quietly observing and munching on a leftover cookie, laughs so hard at that nickname. “Oh my god. I’m totally calling my brother that from now on!”

  My grandma seems way too pleased with that, winking at Dani conspiratorially. Then she moves on. “Anyway, I want to tell you now, and I’m glad you both are here.”

  “What’s going on?” Cass asks slowly. To me, she says, “You never told me that that happened.”

  I cock my head to the side. “Can you blame me for forgetting? You saw the aftermath live and in person.”

  She takes a long, slow breath in, clearly remembering what happened that afternoon. “That I do. Thank god you both pulled your heads out of your—”

  “Seriously?” I say, stopping her while smirking at her. Then I point a hand to our grandmother. “Can we get to the point at hand here? Please?”

  “Fine,” Cass replies sarcastically, all full of dramatics. “What’s going on, Grandma? Everything okay?”

  “Everything’s more than okay,” she tells us, a slow grin appearing on her lips. Then she flicks her gaze toward Gerald, who’s been mysteriously quiet this whole time, before…

  Holding his hand?

  What in the world?

  “Gerald is coming with me on this trip,” she says, her gaze still on him. Then she gives his fingers a squeeze.

  He’s looking at her too, and if I’m not mistaken, I see…love in his eyes.

  Well, I did not see that coming.

  “No way!” Cass smacks a hand on the table, clearly struck unaware by this development too. “When did this happen?” she exclaims.

  Before anyone else can answer, I keep my gaze on Gerald and unhurriedly say, “A while back…” and then I trail off. Because I remember that conversation we had a few weeks ago, when he told me that the woman he wanted after he’d worked through Sylvia’s death wasn’t available.

  Apparently, she is now.

  Cass whips her head in my direction. “You knew?”

  “No,” I tell her. “Not exactly.” Then I direct my words to Gerald. “You didn’t tell me who you were talking about, but I should have known. You’ve worked so closely together in the past.”

  His smile is kind and loving. “We did, and now, I’m ready to join her on her travels.” He puts his free hand on top theirs.

  And then the weirdest thing happens, except it’s not weird at all because they’re perfect for each other.

  They kiss. It’s a short peck on the lips, but I’ve never seen either of them so happy, and that includes the photos of my grandma on waterslides, in the Adirondack Mountains, and at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s so cute, and it makes my hopeless-romantic heart happy to see them so in love.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Cass says. “This day is full of all kinds of surprises, isn’t it?”

  “I guess it is,” I say absently, unable to look away from the two lovebirds. But then her words hit me. “Wait, what other surprises are there?”

  Suddenly, the bell above the door chimes and in walks Chocolate Chip Muffin himself. His melted-chocolate eyes shine in the early afternoon light, and his smile is only for me as he approaches our table.

  “Chocolate Chip Muffin!” Danielle exclaims, giving her brother the cheesiest smile.

  “Seriously? Why would you call me that?” he laughs. “Yeah, I love them, but only when Meli makes them.”

  “Why not?” Danielle giggles. “It’s funny.”

  He waves a dismissive hand in her direction.

  While seeing him is always the highlight of any day, I haven’t the first clue as to why he’s here right now. He knows I’ll bring Danielle home, so… What gives?

  “Couldn’t wait another half hour to see me?” I joke before he reaches me and leans down to kiss me.

  With a hand on my shoulder, he says, “I can never wait,” around a chuckle.

  “Well, hey,” I say. “While you’re here, you can officially meet my grandma in a less hostile situation.”

  He reaches a hand out to her. “Jeremy,” he tells her. “Sorry about…last time.”

  “All good,” Grandma says. “I’m glad you two worked it out. Amelia here hasn’t had such inspired baking as she does with these chocolate chip muffins she makes for you.” Then she winks at him and it all comes together.

  “Chocolate Chip Muffin, huh?” He smirks.

  My grandma nods at him. And Danielle giggles before taking another bite of a cookie.

  But then Jeremy clears his throat and clarifies. “No, actually, I’m here to meet with a man named Gerald about a job I applied for. I hope I didn’t miss him.”

  “You didn’t miss him,” Gerald says. “I’m right here.”

  Probably for the first time, Jeremy sees him next to my grandma, and then he notices how they’re holding hands. And everything clicks together for the second time—or, at least, for me this time.

  “No,” I say to no one in particular. “You didn’t.”

  “Oh, we did,” Cass says, a smartass grin on her lips as she taps the table with a finger.

  “You couldn’t have. How could you have known—”

  My grandma cuts me off. “Oh, please, Amelia. Did you hear what I just said? Inspired baking! Of course this was going to work out. I tasted it in your muffins.”

  “Okay,” Jeremy says, breaking in sooner than I can respond, “I’m lost as hell.” Pointing to the only other man in the room, he says, “So, you’re Gerald, the man I’m meeting about a job. And you’re dating Amelia’s grandma, who used to own the bakery but knew that everything—whatever that entails—would work out. So, what am I missing?”

  “What you’re missing, son,” Gerald starts to explain, “is that the job is working with Amelia for this bakery. I’m retiring in a week, which you know, but it’s from working here. So you’re meeting us here because the job is, in fact, here.”

  At the same time, Jeremy and I look at each other. His expression is unreadable, and I have a feeling that mine is too
. Because, honestly, I don’t know what to think. Could this work? Is he ready to work that closely with me and be my boyfriend now that we’re on steadier ground? Our relationship is still so new. I’m not sure that it’s a good idea to put that kind of strain or pressure on a relationship so young, but then his face lights up.

  “There’s nowhere else I’d rather work,” he says, holding my gaze, “and no one else I’d rather work for.”

  His words touch my heart. They settle in there and give me hope that this actually could be the best thing for my business. He’s smart, educated, and apparently ready to take this on if Gerald has given him of all applicants the green light. Gerald didn’t know about Jeremy, though Cass and my grandma did. But I don’t see Gerald as the kind of man who’d take this lightly. Not when his family’s business—for all intents and purposes—is on the line.

  “So what do you say?” he asks, taking the seat next to me and resting a hand on my thigh. “Am I hired?”

  In response, I say the one word that always comes to mind with him now. Now that the truth has set us free, there’s only one word I want to say to him for the rest of my life.

  “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

  ∞∞∞

  Jeremy

  “See you at work tomorrow,” Matt says when he drops me off after a weekend in Vegas for his bachelor party.

  “For my last week!” I wave as I walk backward to Meli’s house, my bag slung over my shoulder.

  My brother gives me a conflicted smile. He’s glad that I’ve found something I can make a career of, but he’s also sad that I won’t be working with him anymore—not that I saw him there that often. If nothing else, I’m sad I won’t see Aidan that much anymore.

  In fact, I might not see him ever again after this weekend. When we got to his house, the infamous Nic was unexpectedly on his porch. Knowing how intense he is about her, I’m not sure he’ll survive this surprise visit. I hope everything’s okay, and Matt hopes he’ll be okay in time for the wedding.

  Basically, I’m just happy to be back to my family. To Meli and Dani, who stayed with Meli for the weekend. The two of them even had a girls’ night with Cadence, where Meli admitted that she didn’t like her at first because she’d thought she was my fiancée. They all had a good laugh over that. And I’m almost sorry I missed that.