Three Sunny
One week later
The smell of fresh coffee curls around me as the machine gurgles it’s last breath. I pour myself a cup, cradling it like it’s a lifeline. Paisley started work early, but I needed a moment to myself before diving into the day. Working here is a dream, obviously. But damn, these crack-of-dawn starts are catching up to me. I’ve only been here a week, but I thought my body would remember these early mornings by now.
Spoiler alert: It hasn’t.
Despit only being here for a short amount of time, I’ve surprisingly learnt a lot since we arrived.
The guys are close.
Like, really close.
They act more like brothers than coworkers.
always bickering, play fighting, and teasing each other to the brink of insanity.
But when it comes down to it, they are fiercely loyal.
It’s like watching a pack of wild animals that somehow know exactly when to stop tearing each other apart and huddle up for warmth.
Paisley and me? We’ve been swept right into the madness, and somehow, it works.
They’ve accepted us as their own, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m part of something that actually matters—something that’s starting to feel like a family.
Okay, I know I shouldn’t play favorites.
but if we’re being honest here, Bodhi and I have become quite close.
That guy lives to wind Levi up, and I am so here for it.
When Levi’s working, he’s all focus and intensity, with that furrowed brow like he’s solving world hunger while fixing a tractor.
So, when Bodhi messes with him, it’s like watching someone poke a bear.
Levi gets all grumpy and does this thing where he rolls his eyes and grits his teeth, but it’s hard not to laugh.
You can see he secretly loves the chaos.
But when the workday is over? Levi drops that whole stoic, serious thing, and it’s like he lets his guard down.
He’s playful, goofy, and ridiculously sweet.
It’s like he’s hiding this whole other side of himself behind his ‘boss man’ persona, and honestly, I’m starting to think I like off-duty Levi a little too much.
And yes, I know I’m not supposed to say this, because he’s technically my boss and all, but… I totally would if you know what I mean.
I take a sip of coffee, savoring the warmth.
The kitchen is quiet, and for a second, I feel like I’ve got my life together.
The front door creaks open.
I glance up, and there he is.
Wearing a backwards baseball cap, the ends of his hair curling at his neck, and that easy, lazy grin on his face.
He’s carrying a box of… something, and the second he spots me, his grin widens, “Morning, Sunshine,”
his southern voice as smooth as butter.
I nervously hold my mug tighter, taking an extra second to think before I respond, “Morning, Sir.”
SIR?! What the heck is wrong with me.
His head snaps round, eyes locking with mine as a grin spreads across his face, “Sir? I’m not that old, am I?”
Cue internal cringe.
“Uhh…Whats in the box?”
I panic. Desperate to change the subject, I nod towards the counter where he sets it down, not expecting much beyond tools or spare parts.
Because that’s normal cowboy behavior, right?
Levi shoots me a glance, almost like he’s bracing himself, “Cookies,”
he says, his tone hesitant.
“Cookies?”
I repeat, eyebrows shooting up. “You… brought cookies?”
He shrugs, but there’s something playful in the way he’s watching me. “Yeah, cookies. I, uh—made them.”
That gets my full attention. “Wait, you baked these?”
I step closer, eyeing the box like it’s some kind of hidden treasure. “I’ve gotta admit, that’s not what I expected.”
He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck like he’s used to this reaction. “Go ahead, laugh it up. But I’m actually a real good baker. And if you have a problem with that, well then, no cookies for you missy!”
He crosses his arms, just like a kid who’s had his candy taken away.
I try to hold it in, I really do, but the laugh bubbles out of me anyway. Not because the idea of Levi baking is funny, but because he’s so wound up about it. He’s such a contradiction—this rugged cowboy who spends his days working with horses and tractors, yet here he is, all defensive about baking cookies. It’s kind of adorable, and that’s what really gets me. He gives me a look that says, go on then, laugh it up.
“I promise, I’m not laughing because you bake,”
I manage to say, biting my lip to hold back more laughter, “I’m laughing because you’re adorable when you’re all defensive.”
Levi narrows his eyes at me, but the corners of his mouth twitch like he’s fighting back a smile.
“Adorable, huh?”
“No! I mean, yes. Wait!”
I stutter, wanting the ground to open beneath my feet and swallow me whole.
“You’re pretty adorable too, y’know,”
he chuckles, the sound strangely easing the awkward tension in my shoulders.
I take a step closer to the box, “So, are you gonna let me try one of these famous cookies.”
His grin widens, dimples on full display as he stares at me for a moment, “Help yourself, sugar. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you can’t stop at just one.”
I raise an eyebrow, pulling back the lid of the box. The smell of warm, homemade cookies hits me, and I’m impressed. I take a bite out of one and—okay, fine. It’s actually amazing. Soft, chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
“Wow, that’s amazing! Holy shit Levi!”
He smirks, looking far too pleased with himself,
“Keep talkin’. I could get used to the compliments.”
“Don’t push your luck buddy,”
I tease, wiping a crumb off my lip, “You wear an apron while you bake, don’t you,” I add.
Levi laughs, a full, deep sound that makes my chest tingle.
“Depends, would you like me more if I did?”
His voice is low as he takes a step closer to me.
Wait... is he flirting…with me?
Come on Sunny, you can flirt too! It’s not that hard.
“Uhh…Absolutely. There’s nothing I would like more than to see you, the big, rugged rancher, in a pretty little apron,”
I quip, trying to hold back my grin. “I bet you sing to your sourdough starters too.”
He gives me a mock-serious look, eyes twinkling. “I might hum. Keeps the dough happy.”
I burst out laughing, way louder than I mean to. I’m just picturing Levi standing in a kitchen, whistling a tune while kneading bread dough, and it’s just too much. “Oh my god, I can actually see it,”
I manage between giggles. “Do you have a little song? Something like ‘rise me up, buttercup babyyy’,”
I sing, obviously while trying to hold back my laughter. I can’t help it. It’s so much fun messing with Levi.
His grin widens. Dimples back with a vengeance, and a playful glint in his eye. “Oh, you think you’re funny, huh?”
Before I can react, he moves quickly, reaching out and poking me in the ribs. I jump back, startled, but he doesn’t stop there. His fingers find my sides, tickling me mercilessly. “Levi! Stop!”
I squeal, trying to wriggle away from him, but it’s no use. His hands are relentless, and my laughter is uncontrollable.
“Still laughing at me now?”
he teases, grinning as he keeps tickling me, his fingers brushing lightly against my sides, making me squirm.
“I’m—s-sorry!”
I gasp between fits of laughter, but I can’t stop giggling, and neither can he. His smile is infectious, his laugh warm and deep as he watches me try to escape his grip.
“Not until you admit it,”
Levi says, his voice low and teasing, “I’m the best baker you know.”
“Fine! Fine!”
I choke out, still laughing.
“You’re the best baker!”
He chuckles, finally letting go. But somehow in the chaos, I have ended up pressed against the counter, and Levi’s right there, just inches away, his arms braced on either side of me like a cage.
The laughter dies between us, leaving a silence so heavy I can almost hear my heart hammering in my chest. His eyes meet mine, searching for something I can’t quite name. My breath hitches, the air between us suddenly crackling like a live wire.
“Sunny,”
he murmurs, his voice low and rough, the teasing edge completely gone.
I can’t look away. My gaze flicks to his lips, just for a second, but it’s enough. His eyes darken, the playful warmth replaced by something far more intense. My pulse spikes, and I grip the counter behind me for balance.
He leans in, so close that I can feel the heat radiating off him, and my stomach flips. His hand moves, hovering near my waist, hesitating, like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to touch me. His other hand brushes a stray strand of hair from my cheek, and the feather-light contact sends a shiver down my spine.
I should say something. Move. Anything. But I don’t. Instead, I tilt my head ever so slightly, my lips parting just a fraction, and it feels like I’m giving him permission. His gaze drops to my mouth, and I swear I stop breathing.
For a heartbeat, the world shrinks to just us. Just Levi, so close I can smell the faint scent of cedar and leather on his shirt.
“Sunny…”
he says again, softer this time, his voice a mere whisper.
And just when I think he’s going to close the distance—just when I think I might actually let him—the kitchen door slams open, breaking the spell like a bucket of ice water.
“Levi!”
Colton’s voice booms from across the room, casual and completely oblivious. “You gonna share those cookies, or what?”
Levi jerks back like he’s been caught doing something forbidden. He clears his throat, stepping away so quickly I’m left blinking in confusion, the warmth of his presence still lingering.
“We were just… uh…”
He rubs the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah. Cookies are in the box, Colt. Help yourself.”
Colton, oblivious to the moment he just ruined, strides over and grabs one, taking a big bite. “Damn, Levi. These are even better than last time.”
He turns to me with a grin. “You try one yet Sun? You’re in for a treat.”
I nod, still trying to steady my breathing, my hands gripping the edge of the counter like it might anchor me. “Y-yeah, I’ve had one. They’re…the best I’ve ever had.”
Levi chuckles under his breath, sliding his hat round and pulling down to hide the amused smirk tugging at his lips. “Ain’t that the truth,”
he adds, his voice lower now, a little rough around the edges.
As Colton munches away, completely unaware of the near-heart attack I’m recovering from, Levi throws me one last glance. It’s quick, almost too quick to catch, but there’s something in his eyes that makes my stomach flip.
“See you out there, Sunshine,”
he says, his voice back to that familiar, teasing drawl.
I let out a long breath as he follows Colton out the door. As soon as it shuts behind them, I sag against the counter, heart still pounding. I’m not sure what just happened, but I know one things for sure.
I’m in trouble.
Just as I’m finishing up and about to head out to work, the kitchen door swings open and in stumbles Bodhi, looking like he’s just rolled out of bed. His hair is all over the place, like he’s just wrestled a bear.
I raise an eyebrow, biting down on my lip to try and hide my smile. “Late night?”
He rubs his face and murmurs, “Something like that.”
I grin, leaning forward. “Oh, come on. Spill the beans!”
He lets out a long-suffering sigh but can't quite hide his smile. “If you must know… I had a date.”
My eyes widen, “A date? Bodhi!”
I smack his arm grinning.
He moves quickly, placing a hand over my mouth. Glancing around the clearly empty kitchen, then lowers his voice, “Shhh…don’t tell the guys, okay? It’s not their business yet.”
I make a cross over my heart, “Cross my heart!”
My voice slightly muffled by his hand still covering my mouth. He chuckles, removing his hand.
“Now, come on-who is she?”
“Sorry, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell I’m afraid,”
He gives me a playful wink.
“Uh-huh,”
I add, smirking, “Fine, I’ll let it slide…for now.”
He gives me a playful wink, “Appreciate that, Sun. You’re a good friend.”
“Just don’t expect me to let it go forever,”
I shoot back, “You can only keep a secret like that under wraps for so long.”
“Oh, trust me,”
he says, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee, “It’s not me wanting to keep it a mystery.”
I wonder who Bodhi’s mystery lady is. I wonder why she wants to stay a mystery. But I don’t press further, I say my goodbyes and head out to start my day.