Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Gabby

T here's a loud beeping interrupting my sleep, my head pounding as I reach for my phone. There aren't many mornings when I desperately want that thing to shut up, but this is one of them. A low moan beside me is a reminder of what Barrett and I did last night. We've been doing this more often than we probably should be since the night at Monroe's at a couple of weeks ago.

"What time is it?" he questions, that sleep-roughened voice spiking goosebumps on my forearms, and neck.

"Five. I have to get ready to go to work. I hate to ask you this, but can you drive me over to my apartment? I need to open the shop. Valentina has no idea how to do it yet." This is one of those times when I wish I could just close for the day, but every day of income is so important to the shop right now. We're close to making it to what I consider the next level in order to get some upgrades.

He sighs, before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. I recoil, waiting for the irritation. It's what I'm used to from my ex-husband, and that learned behavior doesn't go away just because you aren't in that relationship anymore. "Give me a few minutes." He sits up on his side and vigorously runs his hands over his face. When he turns to face me, through the dim light we left on in the bedroom last night, dark circles are evident under his eyes. "It's gonna be a long day." He smirks. "But damn it was fun, wasn't it?"

I squint up at him, giggling, as I think back to what we did last night. "It was. I'm going to be feeling it today."

"Worth it, though?" He reaches back, running a hand along my thigh, and down my leg

I roll over, stretching my arms above my head. "Totally worth it."

Within twenty minutes, we've gotten dressed and he's driven me across town. "It's so quiet this time of the morning." He muses as he makes the turn onto the square.

I glance over, watching as his forearm tightens and loosens with the movements of him gripping the steering wheel. We come to a stop in front of the steps that lead up to my apartment. "It is quiet, that's why I like working so early, other than the fact I have to. This time of morning, as the sun rises, reminds me it's the start of a new day. Even when there's darkness, the light reminds us that there is a chance to come out of it. Which is what I needed more than anything after I got divorced. Every morning, I would wake up and see the sun coming up, thankful that I made it through another dark night." I've said more than I meant to, but he reaches over and grabs my hand with his, running his thumb over mine.

"I'm glad you made it through. I never want you to see those dark days again."

I don't tell him that the nights and days without him weren't colorful. They were muted gray, and all I wanted sometimes was to see his smile. Instead, I lean over and nuzzle my head toward his jaw. "I don't either, and I think all the ones with you are going to be much brighter than I've had in a long time."

"Me too." He drops a kiss on my forehead. "Better get up there and change before your employee thinks you've left her alone."

"I will." I swallow hard, debating on what I want to say. We've easily fallen back into our routine, and I can't lie about how I feel for him. I promised myself I wouldn't do that ever again. "Have a great day. I love you."

His dark eyes get even darker as he hears what I've said. Grabbing me up in his arms, he holds me over the center console. "I love you, too."

And as I get out of his truck, I do it with the biggest smile on my face. Doesn't matter that every part of my body is sore from the fun we had last night. It's a great kind of sore. I'm unlocking the door to my apartment, when the one next to me opens and Valentina comes out. "Hey, I'll be done in just a few minutes. I have to change and freshen up a little."

Her eyes rake my body up and down, and I have no idea what she's seeing when she looks at me. Is it a woman who's been thoroughly loved, or does what I did last night mean something different to her. "Okay." She pushes her hair back behind her ears and ducks her head. "I've been watching you, I know how to open and what you do in order to do that. You can take as much time as you need."

I reach out, grabbing her hand in mine. "I promise I don't make a habit of this. Barrett and I were together before. This is our second chance, so we've probably moved faster than other couples would."

"You have nothing to explain to me. How you live your life is how you live it."

But the way there's interest in her eyes makes me wonder what she really thinks. "Okay, I'll be down in a few minutes."

When I finally get into my apartment, I close the door before leaning against it and blowing out a breath. It's amazing how life can change in an instant, or in our case with just a kiss.

Three hours later, I'm struggling. Valentina seems to be, too. We're both sitting at a table, desperately hoping that no one comes in the door.

"Has this day been crazier than normal?" Valentina sighs. "I know I've only worked here a short time, but it feels like today was the craziest day I've had since I started."

"No, you're right, today was insane. I have no idea where all those people came from, but we did it. I just hope they give us a break before they decide to start coming in for lunch." I rest my head on folded arms, rolling my forehead around. This is happening because I was out so late last night. The bell rings, and it takes everything I have not to sigh.

"Don't get up." It's Kara.

I lift my head up and give her a wave. "How's it going? We just got killed by our morning rush."

"It's because you were mentioned on a YouTube channel that's featured me before. I came to tell you." She holds up her phone. "It's got almost fifty thousand views already, and it keeps going up. Look, I normally wouldn't offer this, but you've helped me more than you've ever had to. Do you want some of my employees to come over and help you prep? They aren't bakers, but we're already prepped for our rush."

My heart is pounding as I think about what she's saying. "How much did you do the day you were featured?" I ask, almost scared to death.

"It wasn't the day, honey. It was the week, and it's been steady since. I'm willing to loan you my people for a little bit, but you're gonna have to hire more help."

I hear what she's saying, but I've been doing this by myself for so long it's hard to give any of it up. This is both my greatest dream, and my biggest fear. "Okay, let us get through today, and then I'll see about getting us more help. We're closed tomorrow, so I'll have time to get my head on straight and get it together. Thank you, Kara. I appreciate this so much."

"No problem. I know what it was like, and there wasn't anyone who could help me with it. I had no one to help me monitor expectations, but I would have loved for someone to be there. So here I am for you. Congratulations by the way, I hope this is what you need to turn Get Baked into everything you want, Gabs. I'm so proud of you."

She hugs me tightly before turning and going out the front door.

"Well..." I look at Valentina. "Guess we need to get to work."

"Guess so." She offers a bemused smile. Neither one of us know what the hell we're getting into, but it looks like we're both going to make it as easy on ourselves as we can.