28. Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-eight
Phoebe
Deacon sent me a text saying he was getting off work a little early and was going to actually come in to Sugar Rush today and hang out until closing. Since he normally showed up after we were closed to walk home with me, this would be a rare treat. Even if it meant only a few extra minutes together, I’d take them. With my hectic schedule and his, every second counted. And considering the time we did have together was always sweeter than the last, I was eager to have him in my space.
Hailey slid next to me as I grabbed a cookie from the bakery case. “Do you have the schedule for next month ready yet? I need to tell my foster mom the dates I’m working so she can make sure she can pick me up.”
“Yes, I do.” I handed the customer his cookie and turned to Hailey. She really was the best worker. Never late and kept complaining to a minimum. I still didn’t know her story, but I liked what I did know. “I printed a copy this afternoon but spaced. It should still be in the printer. If you want to go grab it, you can have that copy.”
“Okay.” She tucked a stray strand of strawberry-blonde hair behind her ear. “Mind if I get it now before I forget?”
“Sure. We’re not exactly packed to the rafters. Go ahead.”
She disappeared into the back at the same time the door chimed, drawing my attention. My heart slid into my throat as Deacon sauntered in, his head swiveling left and right, checking out who was in the shop. It was almost closing time. My two lingerers were pecking away on their laptops, but otherwise, it was pretty quiet.
When his eyes landed on me, I was already circling the counter, on my way to him. He met me halfway but stopped before touching me.
“Hey,” he uttered, low and cool.
“Hey yourself.”
I wanted to reach for him, but more than that, I wanted him to grab hold of me. So I waited. He looked around, tipping his chin to Charlie, our resident budding author who’d been working on his book for the three years Sugar Rush had been open.
His warm gaze came back to mine, sweeping up the length of me before settling on my eyes.
“Busy day?” he asked.
“Busy in a good way.” I smooth my hands over my apron, drawing his attention to it. This one had ruffles along the edges and heart-shaped pockets. Of course, it was pink.
He lowered his voice to barely a whisper. “You look so damn cute. I wanna gather you up, haul you out of here, and keep you for myself.”
My silly heart flipped like a turtle. “I’d like you to do all that, but could we start with a hug?”
“If you’re all right with me hugging you in the middle of your workplace.”
“I’m more than all right with it, honey. I’m kinda asking for it.”
Breaking into a grin, he stepped forward, caught me around the waist, and pulled me against him. I got my hug, warm and tight, and a sweet, firm kiss on my neck when he buried his face there.
“That’s a much better greeting,” I said, shoving my arms beneath his canvas jacket to wrap them around his middle.
“Exactly the kind I like with you.” He pulled back, but not before brushing his lips over mine. “This is new territory for us, and I know how seriously you take your business. I didn’t want to presume anything.”
“Thank you for that.” I flattened my palms on his chest. “But I’m pretty much always going to want a hug from you. You can presume away.”
“Got it.”
I tilted my head toward the bakery case. “Do you want to pick out something to eat while you hang out?”
“Never turn down your baking, baby.”
As he leaned over the counter to survey what was left, I glanced toward the back, spotting Hailey approaching. My smile grew. “Oh my gosh, you’ve got to meet my part-timer. She’s always asking about you and me. It’s so cute. She’s going to flip when she meets you.”
Deacon straightened, and his gaze slid past me, locking onto the doorway. He jerked back as though he’d been struck. Heart thudding, I spun around to find Hailey frozen and wide-eyed, her mouth gaping.
“Hailey,” Deacon rasped. “You—”
A panicked yelp interrupted him. Before I could process the sound, Hailey bolted. Darting around the counter, she yanked the door open and fled onto the sidewalk.
“What was that?” I gasped.
Deacon staggered after her, his movements heavy and unsteady. Shock rooted me to the spot as he shoved the door open and stepped outside, stopping just beyond the threshold, shoulders tense, fists clenched at his sides. His head dropped forward in what looked like defeat.
He didn’t come back inside.
Not when I shook off my stupor and began the necessary process of cleaning the shop. Not when I ushered my two stragglers out and flipped the sign to “closed.” Not when I turned off the lights and set the alarm.
I found him waiting at the mouth of the alley between my building and the one next to it. He fell into step with me, taking the canvas bag from my shoulder and slipping it onto his own. His fingers found mine and clasped tightly.
He did this without uttering a word. My mind had been whirring since Hailey had streaked out of my shop. I’d come up with a guess as to who she was to Deacon, but I would rather he told me himself.
But he seemed like he’d gone offline. We walked in silence until we turned off Main Street and onto our road. It was quieter here, fewer people around to overhear our conversation.
One of us had to start, and I decided it would be me. “She asked to be paid in cash and used the last name Spellman on her application.” His hand twitched around mine. “But that’s her foster family’s name, not hers. I never pressed her on it since she’s a great worker and really sweet. It never raised any flag how often she asked about you. I just thought she was a curious person like I am. But I think…well, is Hailey your sister, Deacon?”
He nodded. “She is.”
I exhaled, slow and heavy. “I should have seen it. You have almost the same hair color. Her eyes are darker, but they’re the same shape as yours. And you’ve talked about your sister, but I didn’t—”
He tugged me closer, his hand stiffening. “Is she okay? I mean, is she safe? Healthy?”
I opened my mouth to ask a dozen questions but thought better of it. Slamming my lips shut, I nodded. “She says her house is loud but the good kind. Her foster mother, Linda, picks her up every day from work. And Hailey is…well, she’s wonderful. So, yes, I’d say she’s okay.”
His exhale was jagged. “Good. That’s good to know. All I ever wanted was for her to be safe, even if she’s gettin’ that with other people.”
“I think she is.” I looked at him, but his gaze was far away, like he wasn’t even beside me.
I needed more from him after both their reactions, but I could wait until he came back to himself.
First, I’d get him home, make sure Hailey had gotten home too, then we’d talk.