CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Hendrix
T he scent of brown sugar fills my nose as I mix more dough. My movements are automatic because my mind is somewhere else. Specifically, skinny-dipping under the stars.
Making love under the stars.
And telling Jase that I love him.
Yeah, that .
It wasn’t planned. More like it just kind of happened. And when it did, I sucked in a breath and feared the worst—that Jase would do exactly what he said he would—push me away.
But I saw the same affection in his eyes.
I saw it reflected back at me.
He might not be able to say the words, but when his lips brushed against mine, when I sank down on him as our gazes held, I could see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch.
And that has to be enough for me. For now .
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, then force myself back to a reality I never expected to be mine—not after Paul and surely not after some signed contract punctuated with an NDA.
Love was never part of this deal.
It’s not what we signed up for.
But it doesn’t change the fact that I feel it.
“Thank you,” the last customer still sitting in the café area calls out as they leave.
The chime on the door is the punctuation noting that I’m finally alone. Finally able to lock the door and be out of the public’s sight. I lock the door and when I turn around, I freeze.
Vince is sitting on a stool in the kitchen area, his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with an unreadable expression. My two helpers come out of the back office with their purses, whispering excitedly as they sneak glances at him.
Jase may be a part of BENT just as much as Vince is, but no doubt, Vince is more well known.
And my helpers’ reactions reinforce that theory.
I wave bye to them as they exit out the back door that clearly Vince came in through and then turn my attention to the man in my kitchen. To one of Jase’s closest friends.
His scrutiny unnerves me.
“Vince.” I wipe my hands on my apron, keeping my voice even. “Surprised to see you here.”
“Figured it was about time I checked everything out.”
I guard my expression as I study him. “Are we referring to my cookies or to me?”
He holds my gaze, his eyes narrowed, but he doesn’t answer my question. “Seems like business is booming. Must be theBENTmagic touch.”
I cross my arms. “Or the good cookies.”
His lips twitch. “Hmm.”
I sigh. Clearly I’m being vetted. “This will be a whole lot easier if you say whatever you came here to say.”
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I’m just curious what you’re going to do when this is over.”
My stomach tightens. “Excuse me?” Why am I on the backfoot for the second time in twenty-four hours?
“The contract.” He glances over his shoulder to make sure we’re alone before continuing. “The marriage charade. I mean the guys and I are absolutely grateful for you stepping in and helping Giz out, but what’s next? Isn’t it going to be hard to go back to your normal life now that you’ve been living in luxury?”
Fuck you .The words are on my tongue, sharp and biting, but I swallow them back. Instead, I force a strained smile. “I wasn’t aware my life was any part of your business... or Jase’s for that matter.”
He shrugs. “Actually, it is. That’s how we operate. As a team. All for one and all that shit.”
“Really? If that’s the case, then where were you to stop Jase from getting that reputation that’s gotten him in trouble? If you’re a team, isn’t some of this shit on you and the guys ?” I ask, mimicking the way he said it to me.
“Gizmo’s a grown man capable of making his own choices.”
“Exactly.” I level him with a glare.
“So what’s the plan? Get pregnant and trap him with a baby?” He makes a noncommittal sound. “No, I’m thinking you’re more the write a tell-all book to screw us all over type, right?”
“Fuck you, Vince.” I don’t mince words. Can’t .
Vince grins like I’ve just confirmed something for him. “Well, that’s a good start, but sweetie, I’m married.”
I roll my eyes. “It was figurative.”
“No shit.” He tilts his head, pauses for a beat. “No one ever wants something from Gizmo without getting something in return. He’s too nice of a guy. So I’m asking you to name your price. Give me a figure and if it’s within reason, I’ll pay it. Then when this is all over, you can go on your merry way and leave him be.”
I blink, his words like a punch to the gut. And here I thought Vince was a good guy. His wife was so kind. I actually liked them but now it feels like their acceptance of me was all an act. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Why?” He raises his eyebrows. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? It’s why you agreed to all of this.”
“I think you should leave.” I point to the door as betrayal weighs me down. This man is so very important to Jase, and if he thinks this of me? If I can’t win his approval? Then any hopeful chance that I might have with Jase is gone. “Take you and your checkbook and your insulting allegations and shove them up your ass on the way out.”
Vince watches me for a moment, then emits a long, low whistle. “Wow. That’s what I thought.”
“What is?” I’m tired. I’ve worked a long day. All I want to do is go back home to Jase. “I’m not in the mood for games.”
“You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?”
I snort. “You think I’m going to tell you shit, after you just accused me of wanting a payoff? Dream on.”
A smile ghosts his lips, his eyes softening some. “I can see it clear as day. You’re in love with him.”
“You say that like it’s a curse.”
“With Gizmo it kind of is.”
Like I need a reminder.
“The question you need to ask yourself, Hendrix, is, if you love him, if you’re falling in love with him, what are you going to do about it? Fight for him? Let him go when he pushes too hard? Because he will do just that. Chalk it up to an adventure, to—what does he call it? Operation Live-A-Little ?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
Vince leans back, his expression intense. Serious. “He lives a life where he’s never home. People think they know him, that they love him, and are vicious about sharing that love with anyone else. Add to that, we’re about to embark on a world tour. How are you going to have your dream here at the bakery while letting him live out his? How is that going to work for you? Have you considered just how hard it is to love a man you don’t always see?”
I swallow hard. I haven’t let myself think that far ahead. Or maybe I’m scared to.
“I like you, Hendrix. More than I expected and even more with each minute I get to know you better. He’s one of my best friends, a brother I never had. If you love him, you’ll be glad he has a friend asking these questions and wanting what’s best for him. He may be a leap without looking type of guy, but that’s because we’ve already looked out below for him.” He stands abruptly, rapping his knuckles against the counter. “Glad we had this little talk.”
I watch him leave, but my mind is stuck on his words, his questions.
And I’m not naive in thinking every single one of them is valid.
“How are you going to have your dream here at the bakery while letting him live out his? How is that going to work for you? Have you considered just how hard it is to love a man you don’t always see?”
The worst thing? I have no idea how to answer any of them. We live in this bubble at the moment, but when that bursts, where will I be?