Miss ~ Harloe Rae

by Rae, Harloe

“There’s quite a few of them ‘round these parts,” Delilah quips.

  I squint at her. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re making me jealous on purpose.”

  She shrugs. “You’re clumped in there somewhere. At least you used to be.”

  “I’ll earn that title back,” I promise.

  Delilah points to the repaired shelf. “You’re off to a fantastic start.”

  “Yup. And you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.”

  “I could get used to that,” she whispers, and I grow ten feet taller from those words. She leans closer and asks, “Where will we go? Next week, I mean.”

  “Can I keep it a surprise?”

  She peeks at me from under lowered lashes. “I’ve always enjoyed those.”

  “Don’t worry, I remember.”

  The smile Delilah gives me is worth all the air in my lungs. “Good,” she murmurs.

  I shuffle forward until there’s a single foot separating us. I take a chance and reach for her hand, lacing our fingers together. She doesn’t pull away. Instead Delilah flattens her palm against mine, letting our skin connect for a blissful moment. We stare at the bond reviving between us. The silence stretches for a bit, and I fear overstaying my welcome—or crossing whatever imaginary line is drawn between us. I’ve already taken enough liberties and don’t want to push my luck.

  After a gentle squeeze, I pull away, and Delilah releases a breathy sigh. When I glance at her, she’s watching me expectantly.

  “I should probably go,” I say.

  She nods. “But I’ll see you soon?”

  I knock on the glass, smiling wide. “It’s a date.”

  READY

  Delilah

  I SCAN THE cramped fridge, searching for available space to store another pitcher. I’m not finding any, and Raven isn’t done yet. A quick survey around the chaotic kitchen confirms that. Every inch of countertop is being used, which has me concerned about where all these desserts are going. My beverage containers don’t take a lot of space so I can keep the rest upstairs. I double-check our walk-in but find the same result.

  “Uh, Rave? I think you went overboard this time,” I say while shutting the cooler door.

  “Nonsense,” she replies. “We’ll sell out. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “Especially if Marlene stops by. She can’t deny your master baking,” I laugh.

  “For how much trouble that lady stirs up, she’s actually a very loyal customer.”

  “That’s why I haven’t cut her off. Yet,” I add for good measure. I make my way over to her, inspecting the array of colorful creations littered all about. “I’m finished with all my pre-blends and mixes. What can I help you with?”

  Raven brushes stray hair from her forehead. “I’m almost done. Then we can relax and rest up for tomorrow.”

  I purse my lips, giving her a side-eye. “And you’re putting all these . . . where?”

  She snorts. “Don’t look so worried. The torts and cookies don’t need to be kept cold. They’ll survive the night.”

  “If you say so.”

  “You didn’t dub me the master baker for nothing,” she reminds me.

  “That’s a valid point.” I point to her shirt. “But I’m not entirely convinced this was the best slogan.”

  Raven glances down at the writing across her chest. “Master-baking, anyone?” she asks the question aloud.

  I have to clamp my mouth shut to contain the cackle. “I admit it’s hilariously punny. After two bottles of wine, it seemed like a great idea. But in the light of day, it might be a tad too . . . saucy. The old birds will be scandalized.”

  “Good,” she huffs. “Serves them right.”

  “True, true. It’s a killer tagline for you. Maybe we should make stickers,” I suggest.

  “And buttons,” she adds.

  “All the things. Maybe you should whip up some erotic lollipops while we’re on this crazy-train.”

  Raven shoots me a disapproving scowl. “That’s taking it too far.”

  “Oh, I’ve found the limit,” I announce.

  “You’re a nut, which reminds me. Where are your shirts?”

  I scrunch up my nose. “Brew My Beans didn’t have the same quality. You’d steal the show regardless.”

  Raven smirks, not arguing in the least. “Your iced coffee and smoothies are tasty, though. They pair well with my frosted delights.”

  I point at her. “That’s another tee in the making!”

  “I’m just that good.” She dusts off her shoulders.

  “It’s why I keep you around,” I say, and she bumps me with her hip.

  “Lucky for you, I’m not offended.” A suspicious sparkle twinkles in her blue eyes. “So, are you excited?”

  “Of course. The Daze is always fun.”

  Raven pokes my side. “You know what I mean.”

  “Do I?”

  I totally do.

  Her lips flatten. “Don’t be a butt. Have you talked to him?”

  Somersaulting butterflies tumble in my stomach when I think about Zeke’s recent texts. Over the last few days, he’s become bolder. I like him that way. A lot. He’s reminding me of everything I’ve been missing. I should keep my guard locked in place, but that’s not what’s happening.

  Raven snickers. “That good, huh?”

  I avert my gaze, and the apparent tell written all over me. “Yeah, yeah. He’s been fine. It’s nice to have him back, for however long that might be.”

  I need to keep telling myself Zeke is leaving. He isn’t staying in Garden Grove permanently. It’s the only protective shield I have left.

  “Too bad I wasn’t here to witness him busting in to save the day.”

  “A shelf broke. Nothing exciting happened,” I mumble.

  “Except the touching,” she chirps.

  I lean against the counter and exhale. “You’re making it sound sexual.”

  “Wasn’t it?”

  There’s no denying Zeke’s steam-factor. I willingly admit, “When he grabbed my hand, I about fainted from the tingles.”

  Raven does a little dance. “Oh, yeah. Those are detrimental for the lady bits.”

  “Yup, that was the highlight. Serious swoon moment,” I agree. My voice has gone all breathy, and he’s not even nearby.

  She puts a fist under her chin, looking all dreamy. “Hot carpenter to the rescue. Was he wearing a toolbelt? With a big hammer?”

  “I’m regretting telling you about this.”

  “Just let it happen, D.”

  I huff, but I’m already surrendering. “He was an impressive sight, trust me. I needed a cold shower after he left.”

  And I’m not lying. When Zeke walked into Jitters, freshly showered and on a mission, I almost swallowed my tongue. Good thing the air conditioner was already cranked to max because I was instantly overheated. He strutted toward me like a true hero ready to save the damsel in distress. When Zeke blasted me with that trademark grin, I was putty in his talented fingers. I don’t want to think about the come-hither vibes radiating off me. He must have felt them. Pretty sure I would have agreed to anything he suggested. Thankfully, Zeke only wanted a date. That’s an easy start.

  “Oh, Rave. I’m so far gone,” I groan.

  She pats my shoulder. “That’s a good thing. It’s all going to work out, D. Everything changed with Trey after The Graze, remember? These festivals are magic-makers.”

  “You two are a totally different story.”

  “Zeke wants you something fierce, D.”

  I shake my head. “That’s never been the issue.”

  Raven’s brows furrow. “So, what is? It all seems simple to me.”

  I comb through my tangled hair. “Once Roosters is done, he’ll be gone again. Off to the next job. He practically spelled that out when we were at Boomers.”

  “Well, have you asked him to stay?”

  “No way. That’s not happening. I’m not putting myself in that position again.”

  “You c
ould just go with the flow.”

  “That’s rich coming from you.”

  She giggles. “I know, right? But it ended up real swell. Maybe it can be your motto, too.”

  I frown. “It’s not that simple for us. There’s a lot of pain and history standing in the way.”

  “Doesn’t he have a drill or a chainsaw to destroy all that crap?”

  “This is serious, Rave. I’m not really sure how he’s changed in the last five years. There might be bigger demons than I can handle.” My stomach cramps when I consider the shit he’s been through. I’d always been his rock, without question. Even though I’m trying to be smart about this, my resolve to remain cautious is nonexistent.

  Raven wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Give him a chance to tell you.”

  “I will.” And that’s the truth. I could never turn my back on Zeke.

  “But?”

  I roll my eyes. She knows me too well. “That doesn’t mean we’re driving off into the sunset and living happily ever after.”

  “There’s a chance, though.”

  “Sure, the possibility is always lingering.”

  “Just don’t give up before trying to let it happen. Zeke seems like a really great guy.”

  A smile tugs on my lips. “He really is.”

  She makes a noise that’s all smugness. “It’s obvious you still care about him.”

  “I already agreed to a date. I’m not handing over my heart on a platter.”

  “At least you’re thinking about it.”

  “Hard not to,” I mutter. “Love is thicker in the air than sugar around this place. That’s saying something.”

  Raven just nods, then a cringe tightens her features. “Next on the agenda is patching things up between Zeke and Trey. There’s some serious animosity.” she says.

  I wince in return. “That’s gonna take time. Their rift dates back to middle school when Zeke first moved to Garden Grove. It definitely wasn’t helpful that Trey and I didn’t get along.”

  “Ah, right. Thankfully, we’ve smoothed things over in that respect.”

  There’s days I still want to knee him in the balls, but I don’t tell Raven that. Instead I ask, “Will Trey be around tomorrow?”

  “Oh, yeah. I told him there’ll be a Dirty Mechanic with his name on it, so he’ll show up at our stand eventually. He’s helping Jack with the vintage auto parade in the afternoon.”

  Trey’s uncle has a wicked collection of classic muscle cars. My interests veer far from anything with four wheels, but those beasts can make anyone’s engine purr. There’s a reason why people travel across the state to have their vehicle serviced at Jacked Up. He’s extremely talented, and his garage is crazy amazing.

  I make a trail through a pile of flour on the table. “If Zeke shows up, I’ll talk to him about Trey. Hopefully, they can learn to play nice.”

  “It would be nice for our guys to get along. Hanging out together would be a lot less awkward,” Raven says.

  I slice through the air. “Zeke isn’t—“

  “Oh, stop. You know what I mean, D.”

  Some of the fight falls away, and I breathe a little easier. What’s the point of constantly swimming upstream against the rapids? I can let my guard down with Raven. “Okay, I’ll quit being negative.”

  “Was that so hard? Now, let’s get Trey and Zeke on board.”

  “Maybe we can all grab a drink afterwards,” I suggest.

  “We’ll need a few, I’m sure. It’s supposed to be really hot tomorrow,” she practically whines.

  “That’s why I’m confident my smoothies will be a hit.”

  I didn’t tell Raven about one of my specialty items for The Daze. It will be a surprise for everyone. My form of a peace offering, a caffeinated olive branch just for Zeke. To make up for the broken-heart cupcake, and plenty else. Warmth spreads through my limbs just thinking about his reaction.

  Raven takes a sip of a taster I have sitting out. I giggle when she winds up drinking the entire thing.

  “You’ve got mad mixology skills, D. These blends are tasty.” She smacks her lips.

  “Aww, aren’t you sweet. Maybe I’ll add a few to the regular menu.”

  Raven nods, then scans the endless dessert buffet laid out in front of us. “Okay, let’s be real. I might have gone overboard.”

  I giggle and cover my face. “Glad to hear you admit it.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Keep laughing. You’ll be the one helping me haul all this outside.”

  I recall the countless trays lined up in the coolers. “Call for backup—there’s a master-baking emergency.”

  We explode into cackles and stumble out of the kitchen. Cleaning can always wait.

  DAZE

  Zeke

  WHERE DID ALL these people come from? Last I checked, Garden Grove was a really small town. Based off this crowd, I’d assume the population has recently doubled. Main Street is a fucking zoo.

  Once the parade ended, organized chaos erupted to set up for the lunch crowd. It was impressive to witness how quickly the road was converted into a seating area. Everywhere I look is flooded with hungry folks seeking out their next meal. I don’t blame them considering it smells like the finest meats are being smoked. Barbeque has always been my favorite, but I could care less about what they’re serving.

  Right now, my mouth is watering for a different flavor. I’ve got my eye on the prize, and she’s currently smiling far too wide at a male customer.

  “Krue, slow the fuck down,” Ryan complains next to me. “Don’t you wanna grab some grub from BBQ Shack?”

  “I’m not in the mood for food.”

  He follows my line of sight and hums knowingly. “Ah, you’ve got coffee on the brain.”

  “Something like that,” I mumble. I have one goal in mind—reaching Delilah and parking my ass next to her for the remainder of Garden Daze.

  “All right, I guess my stomach can wait. I don’t wanna miss whatever is about to go down.”

  My steps falter, and I pause momentarily to look at him. “What do you mean?”

  Ryan adjusts his ball cap before meeting my stare. “You’re practically foaming at the mouth, bro. Delilah is about to get mauled, or the man talking to her is gonna be knocked out. I give it fifty-fifty odds.”

  My attention swings back to her and the moron who’s taking his sweet time ordering. “I won’t hit him.”

  “But you want to.”

  “Fuck, yeah. He’s drooling all over my . . .” The words trail off. I’ve got no claim to Delilah. She’s free to talk with whoever, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Just thinking about her flirting with other guys sets my blood to a boil.

  I flatten my lips and blow out a forceful exhale, trying to regain some semblance of calm. Delilah is finally giving me a shot. I don’t need to blow the chance before getting it.

  Ryan claps my shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’ll be your everything again soon enough.”

  I shake off the tension in my muscles. “Thanks, man.”

  He nods. “That’s what I’m here for. I'll ditch your ass if we don’t hurry this up, though. I’m starving.”

  “I’ll buy you a cupcake,” I offer.

  His brow furrows. “Thanks?”

  I blindly gesture toward the booth. “From Raven, the one who works at Jitters.”

  Understanding loosens Ryan’s expression. “Oh, right. I’ve heard she’s a whiz in the kitchen.”

  Just then, Delilah laughs and the tinkling noise carries over to me like a jackhammer. I practically sprint to cover the remaining distance to her stand. Ryan chuckles behind me, but I’m not listening. She’s hogging all my senses as I propel forward.

  Delilah notices me approaching, and a megawatt smile curves her mouth. My lungs quit functioning when I forget how to breathe properly. The lack of oxygen makes me dizzy and my knees threaten to buckle. She’s too damn stunning, and it hurts to stand this close without touching her. She tilts her head, and a cascade of blon
de waves spills over her shoulder. I want to feel the silky strands against my rough fingertips. Delilah’s beautiful eyes crinkle in the corners, and I would happily stare at those barely-there creases all day. I don’t care if that makes me a pussy. I’ll gladly hand in my man card to have her look at me like this.

  She tucks some shiny hair behind her ear. “Hey, Zee.”

  All coherent thought screeches to a halt when that name falls from her lips. I can’t believe my ears and almost ask her to repeat it. I lean in, more than willing to vault over the table separating us. Instead I choke out, “Hey, Trip.”

  Delilah’s grin stretches wider, and I have to bite down to keep my tongue from lolling out.

  “I’m glad you made it,” she blurts.

  “Me too,” I say, at a complete loss for what else to say. With Delilah staring at me, words seem extremely inadequate. Kissing her has never been a greater need, the demand screaming through my veins. I want to show her what she’s doing to me. My vision narrows further, blocking out the booming crowd and ruckus.

  From beside me, Ryan clears his throat. “It’s cool. Don’t mind me.”

  Delilah’s lashes flutter, breaking the trance she’s caught me in. Her gaze darts to him, and she startles slightly. “Oh my gosh! Hey, Ryan. It’s been a long time.”

  He offers her a lame-ass wave. “What’s up, D? You seem to be doing well here.”

  I grind my teeth as their pleasantries continue. I want to punch him for interrupting and stealing Delilah’s attention from me. Yet it’s probably for the best. With her sole focus locked on me, my control was nonexistent. Any signal from her would have sealed the deal and escalated our situation quickly. The dull throb in my dick reminds me I’m probably pitching a tent—in public with the entire town present.

  While Delilah is still occupied, I lean against the counter to adjust and hide the evidence of my arousal. I have no desire to show off my shit to any nosey neighbors.

  “Isn’t that right, Zeke?” Delilah randomly asks.

  Awareness slams into me. “Uh, what?”

  I sound like an idiot.

  She rolls her eyes. “We just talked about getting everyone together for a night.”

  “And I heard nothing about it,” Ryan adds.

  I jab his chest. “I texted you about this last week. You didn’t seem to care one way or another.”