Chapter 22 Sawyer
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SAWYER
Why am I so nervous?
“Sawyer.” Noah lays a hand on my back. “Please relax, you’re stressing me out.”
“It’s going so well.” It’s packed.
“I know, sweetie.” He smiles.
“There are so many people here.”
“Again, I know. Sit, enjoy. Relax.” Noah practically pushes me into a seat.
I reach for a truffle, freezing when I realize someone is sitting at the table.
“Oh shit. I’m so sorry. My friend, he pushed me.
” A Middle Eastern man with warm brown eyes blinks at me, a smile growing on his face. “Let me get up. I’m sorry.”
His warm laugh eases my racing heart. “No need.” He pushes the plate of truffles he chose toward me. “Take one. They’re amazing.”
I laugh, taking one. “Oh, I know. I made them.”
“Really?” I nod. “They’re insane. I need like, trays of these down at the station.”
“Station?”
“I’m a firefighter.” Oh, shit. Hot. And fights fires.
“Sawyer.”
He reaches for my hand and shakes it. “Ammon.”
“Um, are you enjoying yourself?”
He looks around the bakery, nodding. “It’s so rare to find queer-friendly events around here. Thank you for throwing it.”
“Oh, well, it was actually my friend’s idea. I just made the desserts.”
“A welcome contribution.” He smiles, popping one of the tiramisu truffles into his mouth. He covers it with his hand. “Damn,” he whispers.
“Good?” He nods quickly. “Were you uh, waiting for someone? I can move.”
Ammon sips his water, shaking his head. “No. Please. I’d like the company.”
“Two years, actually. I worked at a station a couple of hours from here in my hometown, but uh, I had some things happen to me and I just needed a change of scenery.”
“Hope it wasn’t anything serious.”
Ammon smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I don’t want to push. He’s so easy to talk to. Very warm and friendly. And hot. Did I mention hot? His beard is trimmed to his face, and his wavy black hair is the perfect length to run fingers through. It’s in his eyes. It’s like he smiles with them.
“The short of it is, my brother died and it just, I don’t know. I needed a change. So I moved. I work in Briarfield. It’s been great.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. That’s hard.” I sip the iced coffee Noah brought over, ignoring the little wink he gave me. “My mother died a couple of months ago. It’s been really hard.”
His eyes turn sympathetic. “I’m so sorry.”
I smile. “This is nice. I don’t get to talk to many people. I don’t do this often.”
“Do what?” He grins. “Flirt with customers?”
“Flirt with anyone.” I snort. “Shit.” I cover my nose. “Sorry.”
He laughs, and it’s warm and deep. Music plays, and I know we’re about to play the speed-dating round. There are so many people here I can’t believe it. At fifteen dollars a head I’m going to make a profit tonight, even with the free truffle bar.
And now there’s Ammon. I like Ammon. He’s nice to talk to.
He seems kind. We’ve talked for about an hour, and I’ve thought about getting up and talking to other people, but why?
What else am I doing? Pining after a grouchy asshole who couldn’t feel feelings if those feelings were to beat him over the head?
Over it. So fucking over it.
I want romance. I want it to look like the movies, and that may seem stupid and unreal but it’s not impossible, and I won’t settle for a guy who’s sort of okay but also doesn’t want me.
The other night. Fuck. I thought it was something it wasn’t, and that’s on me.
Aiden’s been clear and I pushed my own feelings onto him.
Still. After all of that to just leave me a note.
Thanks.
“How long have you owned this bakery?”
“Less than a year. I bought it during the summer last year.” When my entire world was imploding and I tried everything I could to stop it.
“Wow, you’ve been here all this time?” He takes a bite of one of the truffles. “Damn. If I’d known the chef was as delicious as his desserts, I would have been here a lot sooner.” He pulls the truffle back. “What’s in this one?”
My face feels hot. It’s kind of hot in here, right? “Strawberry mousse.”
“Delicious.”
My body’s on fire, and I don’t know if it’s nerves or desire. Maybe some weird combination of both. He moans taking another bite, and I want it to hit me, but instead it makes me uncomfortable.
I need to get my head together.
As it is I’m fighting the urge to turn around and glare at the eyes I can feel on the back of my neck. I feel him. How the fuck is that possible?
“Can I get you two anything else?” Noah winks.
Bri did his makeup earlier. The bright pink shadow shimmers across his lids, and a soft blush makes his freckles stand out.
Little hearts are drawn on his cheekbones.
“Can I take this plate?” He stretches a hand out—the one with his ring—and takes the plate, then transfers it to his other hand.
“So . . .” He waves his hand around. “Can I . . .” He places it down with a smirk.
“Get you anything else?” He flicks his wrist out, then stretches his fingers and grabs a pen out of his apron.
“Is that an engagement ring?” Ammon asks, humoring him.
“This?” He holds his hand up, pointing to it. “This old thing? Barely even noticed it’s there.”
The guy winks at me then smiles back at Noah. “It’s pretty. Almost as pretty as the man wearing it.”
“Oh. Oh, I like you.”
“Hey, Noah.” I try to get his attention.
“Yes, love?” He flutters his lashes at Ammon.
“This is Ammon. He’s a firefighter from Briarfield.”
Noah’s lip’s part. “A Fire Daddy! Sawyer, don’t fumble this. We need a fireman in our friend group.”
“Fire Daddy?” Ammon’s brows rise.
Noah then looks behind him, and I follow his line of sight to Jamie glaring at us.
“Mm, that’s good stuff. I like when he gets all growly and jealous.
” He spreads his fingers out flourishingly when he grabs his pen, then he wiggles them.
“I’m in for a good night tonight.” I laugh. “Can I get you two anything?”
“Can I have more water?” he asks.
“Water’s fine for me too,” I say. “Do you need help with—”
“Nope.” Noah cuts me off with a smirk. “You sit right there, Bakery Booty.”
Ammon’s brow cocks. “Bakery—”
“Don’t ask.” I shake my head.
“Believe me . . .” Noah leans in. “The real pastries are right back there.” He winks.
“Oh my god, Noah. Go get us water.” Noah grins maniacally then turns to grab our waters.
“Bakery Booty?” I groan and he leans in. “I’m intrigued.”
Damn he’s handsome. And charming. And an actual real-life superhero.
I pull back, my face on fire. What’s wrong with me?
A hot man is flirting with me. He’s nice and smells good and he’s also tall.
I love tall men. I’m not short at five-nine, but there’s something about a tall guy I just love.
Aiden is only inches taller than me, but he feels taller than that. Big. Overwhelming.
And off limits. Get it through your head.
“I’m definitely taking a slice of cheesecake home with me. I’m going to tell everyone back at the station about this place. Be ready. Firefighters can eat.” To my surprise people are also buying the desserts I made and put in the case.
I’m realizing now that I hadn’t expected anyone to turn up.
After months of low sales, this all feels so unreal.
“The lemon raspberry cheesecake is my favorite,” I say.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” The look he gives me is silly and a bit delirious. His dark eyes sparkle, going a bit hazy, dreamy as he leans in. I think he’s about to kiss me. Nerves spike through me. I can’t. I mean I—
“Can I ask a question?” he says softly.
“Uh, um, yeah.” I clear my throat. “Yes. Ask away.”
He smiles softly. “Why is your cashier glaring a hole in my forehead?”
“What?” I turn around and yeah, there he is.
Glaring away.
Gorgeous, handsome, resting bitch face. His scar makes him look a bit scary . . . tough. Knowing now how he got that scar, my heart breaks for him.
No. No it does not. “He’s an asshole.” I turn back around.
“Ah. Makes sense. I had one of those once.”
“It’s not—” Not what? Because it is and it’s killing me.
He hasn’t said anything to me, and yes, I know I’ve been avoiding him, but still.
I can’t handle this. The questions are starting to bury me.
I like talking to Ammon, but I need a bit of space.
“I um . . . I should probably walk around and see if anyone needs anything.” I stand. “It was nice talking to you.”
“Will you be playing the speed-dating game?” Ammon hits me with a twinkling smile.
Oh, if only I’d met you months ago.
Then the truth hits me.
I think . . . I think I’m in love with Aiden.
Which is unfortunate, because I don’t think Aiden can love anyone in that way.
“Uh, yeah. I will be.” Noah insisted. “I will.”
“Good. I’ll see you there.” He winks and damn, okay. A little shock. A little flutter. My lips break into a smile I can’t stop as I walk toward the back.
Then it drops.
I take a breath and ignore Aiden as I walk out the back.
And I instantly wish I didn’t. “Uh.” Jamie pushes Noah back. “Um.”
Noah smooths out his apron, his lip gloss a bit smeared. “I’m not hard.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Okay, because I am, and I don’t like lying to my friends.”
“You can lie a little. I don’t mind.” Looking more uncomfortable with every word on his fiancé’s lips, Jamie takes a healthy step back from Noah.
“Come here.” Jamie sighs wiping the smudged gloss with his thumb.
“Thank you. So . . .” Noah grins. “Are we having fun?” He bats his lashes. “He’s cute.”
“Yeah.” I pull out the chocolate-covered strawberry brownies. My mouth waters. “The raspberry bark has to stay in the cooler until it’s time. These will go out first. Then the strawberry mousse which is already in the fridge.”
“These look amazing.” Noah’s eyes flit between me and the brownies.
“Go ahead, split one with Jamie. I made extra, but I just want to make sure the customers get one.”