Chapter 2 #2
I stood there, still holding the ghost of the keys in my hand even though Corban had already taken them, changed my tire like a superhero, and vanished like a mirage.
What just happened?
One second I was blushing like a fifth grader with her first crush, my whole face burning hot enough to fry an egg on, and the next, he was gone. Disappearing out the door without waiting for a thank you or conversation.
And he hadn't even looked at me on the way out.
Not once.
Not even when he handed my keys to Marnie.
Was he annoyed with me?
I mean, maybe I’d parked in the wrong place.
Maybe I’d broken some tiny-town parking rule that everyone knew but nobody bothered to write down.
Like "don't show up driving a California plate and looking like you've never handled a spare tire in your life.
" Maybe I was just another clueless city girl in need of saving, and he hated having to deal with it.
God, I hoped not.
I pressed my hand to my chest, right over my heart, like I could physically calm the ridiculous flutter going on in there.
That look on his face when our fingers touched for half a second. That wasn't nothing. I didn't think I imagined it.
And that was definitely a blush creeping up his neck when he realized I was watching him through the window. I saw it clearly, the way his skin flushed red above his collar.
This was my first encounter with a man who could lift a car like it was no big deal.
I turned toward Pearl and Marnie like they might have answers to questions I didn't even know how to ask.
They didn't have answers, but they definitely had opinions, judging by the matching grins on their faces.
Pearl looked like she’d just watched the best part of her favorite soap opera, the kind where the brooding hero finally realizes he's in love. "Well, he didn't say much, but his ears were red as a fire truck."
"Oh, honey," Marnie said, laughing as she reached over and patted my hand where it was still gripping the edge of the counter. "That man was ten kinds of flustered. Couldn't even look you in the eye when he came back in here with your keys."
"After he froze like a deer in headlights earlier," Pearl added, smirking.
"I've seen mannequins move faster," Marnie said, completely deadpan. "Thought we might have to poke him with a stick to get him going again. Or maybe splash some cold water on his face."
"Second time around, though? He was faster than Lightning McQueen," Pearl continued. "Practically ran out that door."
They both chuckled, sharing a look that said they’d seen this kind of thing before.
I buried my face in my hands, my cheeks burning even hotter. "Stop. Please stop."
"Not teasing," Marnie said, and her voice softened into something more genuine. "Well, maybe a little teasing. But seriously, honey, he's shy, that one. Doesn't say much to anyone unless it's business-related. Keeps to himself, but he's solid. Real salt of the earth, you know? Good man."
"And strong," Pearl chimed in, fanning herself with a menu like she needed to cool down. "Sweet Jesus, I'm seventy-two years old and even I got a little flustered watching that display."
"I don't know what just happened,” I said. “He was so serious and intense."
Pearl leaned in, lowering her voice even though there was no one close enough to overhear. "Honey, he was serious because if he looked at you too long, he might've combusted right there on the spot.”
I turned back toward the window, looking out at the empty sidewalk.
Had I imagined the whole thing?
Was the spark I felt real or just wishful thinking from a girl who’d never had a man look at her like that before?
I didn't know, but I couldn't stop thinking about him.
"You're thinking about him," Marnie observed, not even bothering to make it a question.
I turned back to face them, and I knew my expression was giving me away completely.
"Maybe a little. Is that crazy?"
"Not crazy at all," Pearl assured me. "And you will know him. This is a small town, honey, and he always stops by."
"He comes in here for coffee and pastries," Marnie added. "Has for years."
My heart did another stupid flutter.
"He does?"
"Mm-hmm. Regular for someone who doesn’t live around here." Pearl grinned. "Which means you'll have plenty of opportunities to say thank you properly."
"I couldn't," I said immediately, even though part of me wanted to. "I mean... I doubt I'm his type."
"Oh, sweetie," Pearl said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "We've been running this bakery for forty years. We know what interest looks like."
I wanted to believe that the spark I felt was mutual.
But I was terrified of being wrong.
What if I’d let myself hope and it turned out I was still the girl nobody wanted?
"Come on," Marnie said, coming around from behind the counter. "Let's show you the rest of the bakery. You can spiral about the hot biker later. Right now, you've got a business to learn how to run."
I laughed despite myself, grateful for the distraction.
"Okay. Yes. Business. I can focus on business."
But as I followed them into the back kitchen, I couldn't help glancing once more out the window.
Hoping maybe, just maybe, I’d catch another glimpse of him.
Then the next thought was like a reality slap.
What if he didn’t come back?
What if he stayed running?