by Kelsie Rae
“I think he’s pretty happy where he’s at, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate a little ego boost. And thanks!” I drop my chin to the tip jar, but he waves me off.
“No problem. Tell Sophie hi, too, when you see her.”
Sophie is the other girl who works the front of the bakery. Our shifts rarely cross over because she’s pregnant with twins and doesn’t work too often, but I give Rhett a thumbs up. “Will do.”
When they exit, I tell Indie, “I’m so jealous of your dog. I want one so freaking bad!”
“Right? Before I met Rhett, I was dating a guy who was allergic to dogs. Needless to say, it was rough not being able to own one.”
“Yeah. It’s killing me, but I don’t know if I have time for that kind of commitment.”
“Have you ever considered volunteering anywhere? Like at a shelter or something?”
I shrug. “I haven’t really thought of that. Do you know of any nearby?”
Face lighting up, she nods. “I know the perfect place. It’s a few blocks away, but you could totally walk if you wanted to. It’s called Forever Grey. I used to go there sometimes before I met Rhett.”
“Forever Grey?”
“Yeah. It’s a dog sanctuary for retired racing greyhounds. But just because they aren’t fast enough to compete anymore doesn’t mean they don’t have a shit-ton of energy. They’re always looking for people to take the dogs out on walks or runs.”
“That would be perfect for me!” I gush, the wheels in my head turning.
“You’ll have to stop by. I’m pretty sure they take walk-ins. You’ll just have to fill out a couple of papers, and then I think you’ll be good to go.”
“Done.” I smack my hand against the counter for emphasis.
Indie laughs in return. “Perfect. I’m glad I could help. Now, I gotta get those white chocolate brioche buns in the oven ASAP. If you need anything, I’ll be in the back.” She disappears as the bell rings on the front door once more.
My mouth opens to greet the newcomer before I nearly swallow my tongue.
Sandy blonde hair. Check. Twinkling green eyes. Check. Rugged good looks. Check. My cheeks heat as I realize the word rugged just filtered through my mind. Thank goodness the guy isn’t a mind reader, or I’m pretty sure I’d die from embarrassment.
A curious smile tugs at my lips as I watch the new customer peruse his options behind the glass counter.
“Hi. Can I…uh…can I help you?” I ask, my voice cracking at the end.
Kill me now.
He grins. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I repeat, feeling like an idiot. “Can I help you?”
Resting his big hands against the top of the counter, the stranger looks at the variety of pastries and shrugs. “I’ve never been here before, but I saw a box with the logo on my buddy’s desk at work yesterday, and the name reeled me in.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. Get Baked has tamed many a munchies.”
Gifting me with a crooked grin, he says, “I bet.” His eyes drop down to my mouth for a split second before adding, “So, what would you recommend?”
“Umm….”
Is it hot in here?
“What are you looking for?” I ask.
His eyes connect with mine, making me squirm from the intensity as he murmurs, “I don’t really know what I’m looking for, but I think I might’ve just found it.”
Licking my lips, I break our connection and clear my throat. “Umm…the cronuts are a best seller. My boss’s husband is obsessed with them. And the eclairs are pretty good too, although I’m a sucker for the chocolate croissants. There are brioche buns! But the brioche buns aren’t quite done yet so….”
The words keep tumbling out of me like a faucet on full blast, and I don’t know how to make them stop.
“What’s a cronut?” he asks, though I’m not sure if it’s an attempt to get me to shut the hell up or if he’s genuinely curious.
Regardless, I reply, “It’s a mix between a croissant and a donut.”
“And the chocolate croissants are your favorite?”
“Well…I mean…the cronuts are really good too.”
Mouth stretching into a smile, the stranger leans a little closer as he whispers, “I’d like one of each, please.”
I nod a handful of times, convinced I look like a bobblehead as I fumble with a small pink box. Once the treats are situated, I ring up his order and give him the total.
“Mind if I add one more thing to my order?”
“And what’s that?”
“Your number.”
My mouth opens in surprise before closing just as quickly. I’ve never been in this situation before. “Umm….”
“Is that a no?” he teases, trying to hide his surprise with a quirked brow and a challenging tone.
“Umm….”
The bell on the front door dings my salvation, and I catch myself holding my breath like I’ve just gotten caught doing something I’m not supposed to. Eyes darting to the entrance, I freeze.
“Conner?” Levi asks, staring at the stranger across from me.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” The stranger lifts his chin at my best friend while I watch the interaction.
“What are you doing here?”
“I saw the box on your desk yesterday and figured it must be good, so I stopped by.” Conner looks back at me and smirks. “Best decision I’ve made in a long time.”
Tension builds in the tiny shop, not one of us saying a word. I don’t know what started it, or why it’s here in the first place, but when I finally make the connection, I want to scream.
“Wait,” I start. Both their heads snap in my direction. “You’re Conner?”
Conner nods. “Yeah. Conner Daniels. Nice to meet—”
“You’re Conner Daniels? As in Asshat Conner Daniels?” The second question is meant for Levi, and he hears me loud and clear.
“Charlie—” Levi starts, but Conner cuts him off.
“Asshat Conner Daniels? Am I missing something? Wait. This is Charlie?” he asks Levi, hooking his thumb over his shoulder to point right at me. “Charlie, as in your best friend Charlie, who never wants to hang out at our place?”
“That’s the one,” Levi quips. His long gait eats up the distance between himself and the rest of us.
“You never told me Charlie was a girl,” Conner accuses.
Throwing my head back toward the ceiling, I laugh dryly. “Of course you would say that. You’ve been making fun of my gender since I was in freaking elementary school.”
“Wait, what? What are you talking—”
“Don’t act like you don’t remember, Asshat Conner Daniels. I went home bawling my eyes out on the bus more times than I can count because you refused to let a girl play kickball at recess, insisting that my tennis shoes from Payless were trash, and I should work harder on growing my hair out––and some boobs––to help cover up the fact that I have a boy’s name. Any of this ringing a bell?”
The blood drains from his face while it seems all of mine has rushed to the surface, turning me into a giant red tomato.
“Shiiiiiiit,” he mumbles under his breath.
The reverberating sound of Levi’s hand slapping down on Conner’s shoulder is the only noise in the whole place, echoing louder than a cracking whip in the silent bakery.
“Let me walk you out.” Levi doesn’t give him a choice. He simply shoves Conner out the door with the pink box still in his hands.
Once he’s officially taken out the trash, Levi rounds the counter without asking for permission and pulls me into a hug behind the register.
“You’re a badass, Charlie. You were a badass in elementary school for putting up with his shit, and you’re a badass right now for standing up to him and telling him to go to hell.”
My emotions flood through me from all sides, but I try to force a thick swallow to keep them in check.
“Thanks,” I choke out, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Listen. I
know how much you hate the guy, but I promise he’s not who you remember. He was a dick in grade school, but then he moved away and got some better friends who were good influences on him. I’m not saying that what he did to you was okay; I’m just saying that even if he comes in here every day from now on, you don’t have to worry about him being a jerk to you ever again. And if he is, you call me. We clear?”
Sniffing, I nod against his warm chest. “Yup. Crystal.”
“Good. Now, where’s my chocolate eclair?”
Chapter Six
Levi
After stepping off the elevator and onto Montague Enterprises’s floor, I stride toward my cubicle only to find a contrite Conner leaning against my desk.
When he sees me, his shoulders hunch even more. “I screwed up.”
I want to laugh at the pathetic guy in front of me, but I restrain myself. “Yeah. You kinda did. What were you doing there, anyway?”
“I already told you. I saw the Get Baked box on your desk yesterday. Then, while on my way to work, I saw the sign and figured a cinnamon roll or something sounded good.”
“And that’s it?” I push.
“Yeah. That’s it. I had no idea your friend worked there, and I sure as hell didn’t know that your best friend happened to be the kid I was an ass to in elementary school. Did you know?”
Grabbing my chair, I let the legs roll across the carpet flooring before collapsing into it. “Yeah. I knew. But I didn’t really think you guys would cross paths. And on the off chance that you did, I didn’t think either of you would recognize each other, so it was pointless to worry about it.”
“But she knew we were roommates? And she was cool with that?”
“We might be friends, but she doesn’t own me,” I clarify. “Besides, you’re not the little shit you were back then, and you’ve had my back since college.”
“Speaking of which,” he drops his voice until it’s barely above a whisper. “I need your help.”
My gaze narrows. “No.”
“Come on—”
“Not happening.”
“Please? I just want to make it up to her.”
With a dry laugh, I pick up a blue pen and start rolling it between my fingers. “You don’t understand. Charlie is one of––if not the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. She’s held onto this grudge for the past ten years. What the hell makes you think she’ll let it go for you?”
“I felt something with her, man. I don’t know what it was, but—”
“Let it go, Conner. It’s not happening.”
A sense of unease tightens my lower gut, but I refuse to address where the hell it came from.
Instead, I click the tip of the pen with my thumb as Conner continues his pathetic begging. “Come on, man. Just give me her number––”
Raising my hand, I cut him off. “No. You’re one of my best friends, but I would never betray Charlie like that.”
“Dude, I’ll do anything. I gotta see how this thing between us plays out.”
“It’s already been played. And you lost. Now get back to work. I’ve got shit to do.”
Clenching his jaw, Conner presses himself up from the desk and disappears down the hall. I know I pissed him off by refusing to hand out Charlie’s number, but I honestly don’t give a shit. Besides, Charlie’s not into dating. And even if she was, she could do so much better than Asshat Conner Daniels.
The next week goes by in a chaotic blur. Rubbing my eyes, I stare at an official document on my desk then glance at my cell that’s been pushed aside.
Before I can be a coward and talk myself out of it, I dial my mom’s number. It rings for a solid ten seconds before her tired voice echoes through the speakers.
“Hey, baby. How are you?”
“I’m good, Mom. Have you gotten the results back from the MRI yet?”
“Well, we haven’t proceeded with the MRI.”
“Why not?” I ask, pinching the bridge of my nose as a migraine threatens to take over. I need a break. I need my mom to be healthy. I need her medical bills to disappear. I need the awkward silence that’s been my constant companion around Conner to go away. And I need another damn eclair.
“There have been some issues with the insurance, so the doctors are trying to figure out how we should move forward.”
“Mom.” My tone is sharp, and I take a deep breath to keep myself from snapping at her any further. “If you need the MRI for the doctors to diagnose you properly, then you need the MRI. Screw what the insurance company is willing to pay.”
“Honey.” The sound of her soft sigh almost breaks me. “I can’t afford to pay for the MRI out of pocket, but I’m in good hands. We’re figuring out how to move forward, so don’t worry about me. How’s your new little project going?”
“It’s fine,” I grit out, glancing back down at the jumbled numbers scattered around my desk. “Look. I know you don’t want to talk about it and that you don’t want me taking care of you. But we need to do what’s best for your health. And if that means paying for shit out of pocket, then that’s what we’re going to do. Schedule whatever tests need to be done. I don’t care if I have to move back into my childhood bedroom to help cover the cost. We’re going to get this figured out, okay?”
“Levi—”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I mutter, “Promise me, Mom. Promise you’ll get everything scheduled so we can stop dreading the results and start looking at the solutions.”
I’m greeted with silence for a solid ten seconds before she finally replies, “Okay, Levi. I’ll talk to my doctor and get everything scheduled. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
The call disconnects, and I drop my phone back on my desk. Resting my head in my hands, I nearly crumble from the weight of the conversation. But I can’t. Because I’m all she has.
Chapter Seven
Charlie
“That’s a good girl,” I praise the gorgeous greyhound beside me, scratching behind her ear as we find a bench in Central Park.
The air is warm, and the sun is shining. The combination makes me want to melt into a giant puddle of happiness. My chest is still heaving from our run up and down the hills, but the endorphins racing through my veins is a high that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
“Hey, Charlie!” a voice calls, grabbing my attention.
“Hey, Indie!” I return in surprise. She’s in a pair of running shorts and a baby blue tank top with Harry by her side.
When she notices the greyhound I’m borrowing for the afternoon, she adds, “I see you took my advice about stopping by Forever Grey.”
“I did, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m seriously in love.”
“Right? Harry is a mix of who knows how many breeds, but the vet thinks he’s part greyhound, and I definitely think he’s right. They’re amazing dogs.”
“They totally are. If I ever get enough stability in my life to own a dog, I’m totally picking one up from Forever Grey. Every single dog I’ve taken out has been an absolute sweetheart, though I might be partial to this girl.”
Indie assesses the dog next to me who’s busy smelling Harry like he’s a fresh-baked cookie.
“She’s super cute. What’s her name?”
“Bonnie,” I answer while giving Bonnie another scratch.
“Aww, sweet little Bonnie girl. She looks tired.”
“She should be. I thought I was in shape, but this girl is giving me a run for my money. No pun intended,” I add with a grin. “I think we just ran six miles or so.”
“Impressive,” Indie comments before bending at the waist and scratching her doggy. “Harry would die from the heat alone if we took him out that long, especially with all this hair he’s sporting.”
“Probably,” I agree, looking at his mop of fur.
“So, how’s the boy drama?” Indie probes. She’d overheard the whole conversation between Levi, Asshat Conner, and me from the back of the shop. Ever since then, she’s b
een badgering me like a pesky fly. She insists it’s Sophie’s fault for teaching her about girl talk, but I think she’s just a Nosey Nancy.
I shrug one shoulder then give her the only answer I have, though I know she’ll be bummed that it isn’t juicier. “Nothing new. Levi’s been crazy busy at work, so I haven’t really seen him, and Conner isn’t stupid enough to cross my path again so….”
“It’s a shame. Sounded like Conner has a thing for you.”
“Meh.”
Little does she know, guys don’t have things for me. Or at least not the ones that matter.
“Don’t meh me,” she admonishes with a teasing smile. “He point-blank asked for your number.”
“Well, yeah, but that was before he knew who I was. And I was hesitant to go out with him in the first place, let alone after I found out he was the jerk from my childhood.”
“What do you mean you were hesitant to go out with him in the first place?” she asks.
Shifting on the bench, I scrunch up my face and admit, “I don’t really date much.”
Or at all.
“Why not?”
“Umm…because I don’t?”
Laughing lightly, she jokes, “That’s not an answer.”
“Fiiine.” I sigh. “Guys have never really shown an interest in me, so I’ve never really pursued anything romantic with anyone.”
“Hmmm…,” she hums, pursing her lips.
“Hmmm…?”
“I’m just curious why that would be.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re gorgeous. Your eyes don’t glaze over as soon as someone mentions whatever’s on ESPN, and you have an epic connection to a sweets dealer.”
Laughing, I nudge my shoulder into hers. “I assume you’re the sugar dealer?”
“And proud of it! How else do you think I won Rhett’s heart?”
“From what I heard, it was you that caved, not him.”