Chapter 7
Sela
“Thank you for sharing your energy with me today.” Hailey smiled serenely through the laptop screen as she stood tall with her palms pressed together. “Inhale peace and exhale happiness before you go out there and crush your day.” She smiled, and the screen faded to black.
It wasn’t just a great early morning yoga session; it was a necessary one.
My mind and body were a whirlwind of chaos, and it was all because of Brock, more specifically Brock’s kisses.
The man kissed like he got paid to do it and made a damn good living.
He kissed me like I was the air he breathed, the water he needed to sustain his life.
He kissed me like he just couldn’t not kiss me.
It was intoxicating.
It was terrifying.
It was everything.
And the minute I’d woken up this morning, he was on my mind.
My lips still tingled from those kisses, and all I wanted was to rush over to his B it was the joy on his face, as if seeing me made him happy. “I think you know exactly who’s responsible.”
Even more humor, mixed with satisfaction, lit his eyes. “Good to know.”
“Brock,” Torey called out.
“You should get your order.” The bakery was mostly empty, but I felt the gazes of the early morning caffeine addicts watching us.
“Our order,” he clarified and turned to the counter before turning with two cups in his hand. “I was going to bring them to you, but now I don’t have to.”
I stared at him as if I didn’t understand English. “You got me coffee.” It wasn’t a question, but Brock nodded.
“And pastries. I hope I chose correctly.”
He brought me coffee. And pastries. “Why?”
His dark brows dipped low. “Because I don’t want to get you something you don’t like.”
“No,” I shook my head. “I mean, why did you get me coffee and pastries?”
“Because you love them, and because I wanted to see you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I last saw you.”
My heart rate kicked up at least triple time. “That was just a few hours ago.”
“An eternity,” he replied and nodded to an empty booth. “You have time to sit?”
So much for keeping my distance. I nodded.
“Absolutely.” We took the same booth we’d sat in just days ago, though it felt like months had passed since then.
I took the first sip and then the second before a moan slipped out.
“In the spirit of honesty, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either. Or those kisses.”
“At least I’m not in this alone, but I do sense a but coming.”
I nodded. “Because you are a smart man. This,” I motioned between us, “it’s a bad idea.”
“Agreed,” he sighed as if it physically hurt him to say the words.
His immediate agreement stung, but I kept a smile on my face. “I’m glad we agree.”
He stared at me, his expression unreadable.
“Look, it’s not that I don’t like you, Brock. I do. What’s not to like? And that’s the problem. I already like you, and those kisses make me like you and want you even more. And I worry that if we spend more time together, we’ll keep kissing, and I’ll just like you even more.”
He nodded. “And then I’ll break your heart?”
I nodded. “How could you not? Once you get tired of sleeping with me, what’s left? I’m not successful or exciting or any of the things you’re used to.”
“You don’t know what I’m used to, Sela.” His tone was firm. “But if what I’m used to was what I wanted, maybe I’d be with someone right now.”
Damn it, that was a good point. I opened my mouth to say something, but I didn’t know what.
“So we’re keeping our distance?”
I nodded solemnly. I didn’t want to, not really, but I had to be smart, or I’d never find out what came next. “Yeah. We are.”
“So this is our last hurrah?” He motioned to the coffee and the mound of pastries between us.
“Looks like it.”
“Too bad.”
“Definitely,” I agreed.
“Oh, perfect. You’re together. Again.” Edith placed her hands on the table and stared at me and then Brock, and then back to me with a sparkle in her eyes. “I was looking for you.”
“Who,” I asked.
“Both of you.” Her smile dimmed, and I knew bad news was coming. Edith inhaled deeply and put her smile back on, big and bright. “You two looked like you were having such a good time together, and the mayor said she saw you leave together.”
“Edith,” I began, but she cut me off.
“What young people get up to is none of my business. Mostly,” she added with a laugh. “The point is that I signed you up for the pie contests today, making and eating.”
I blinked. “But that’s today. We have no time to practice.”
“Nonsense. You have all morning and most of the afternoon to get used to working together. And this is for a good cause,” she added as if that had anything to do with her meddling.
“The contest starts at four o’clock, which gives you plenty of time to practice.
” Edith scurried off before either of us could say anything.
Brock wore a wide, satisfied grin. “I guess the universe isn’t done with us yet.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be thrilled or terrified.