Chapter 3

3

Percy

“ W e’re glad to have you here,” I nodded happily as I buried my fear in the pit of my stomach. She was young – cute and earnest, but young.

“Thank you. You and Tammy Sue have given me the best gift I could have ever asked for. I love this place and want to go to Paris and pastry school just like you did.” Amber beamed.

“How old are you?” I stared at the young girl with pigtails and couldn’t believe I had just hired her.

“Sixteen.”

I didn’t even remember sixteen. Good grief. “Well… Welcome. Maybe when the dust has settled, we can talk about you sometimes coming into the kitchen and helping out on the weekends.” God, her excitement was infectious. Tammy Sue was right, though. All she would have to do was take orders and sell anything left in the store while we were at the table. If she needed anything, she could text us, and Tammy Sue could run to help her. Our table was only a few storefronts away. It would be fine, or it wouldn’t be. At this point, what choice did I have?

“I would love that. Thank you so much, Percy. I’m really excited. This is like a dream come true.”

“Come with me, Amber, and I’ll show you how to use the register.” Tammy Sue smirked at me. She knew me well and could tell that I was in a spiral of my own making. However, she had no idea what was actually causing me to lose my mind.

Moving in together? Was that smart? Four months wasn’t exactly a year, and a year wasn’t really a lifetime. Of course, I was overthinking it. I did that with practically everything. It was the kind of mind that I had, unfortunately, been born with. I always watched out for the maybes as they tried to mess up my day. But this ask of Ben’s was a lot to process.

Did I love him? That answer was obvious to the entire town – yes, I did, and part of me always had. Did I trust him? Yes, I think I did. I wouldn’t be where I was if I didn’t. Our past was complicated, but he had shown himself to be a man of worth and honesty. It wasn’t about him, though, was it?

I was the problem.

Hi. My name is Percy, and I’m an overthinker and worrier. I also like to dabble in small amounts of self-sabotage when I’m bored. I’m also a bit of a control freak about certain parts of my life. Just knowing that I have a space that is all mine that I can run away to whenever I need to makes me feel safe.

Well, that didn’t really answer my question. I’m also a hot mess. But once again, everyone in town could have told you that. Being a baker meant that I liked things to be precise and easily measured. I was scared, wasn’t I? Love and Ben weren’t in my control. I couldn’t help it.

“You woke up earlier than usual today?” I turned to find Ben sipping one of our large coffees as he stood in the doorway. “Big day?” God, he looked hot. His muscles threatened to rip the sweater right off his body.

“If I’m going to have everything ready for the booth tomorrow, I’m pretty behind. Sorry, I did give you a quick kiss before I ran out. It’s not my fault that you sleep like the dead.” I chuckled.

He ran his hands through his black curls and grinned at me. “Can’t help it. I’ve always been a good sleeper, unlike you, mister toss and turn.”

“I’ve gotten better.”

“True. You sleep much calmer when I wrap you in my arms.” He winked at me.

“I do?”

“Yeah. Like a baby. You also wake up at four in the morning like a baby, too. At least I don’t have to warm up a bottle,” he chuckled.

“Work is work. I wish I could turn it all off like you. But I’m just not wired that way.” I shrugged. “I guess I do sleep better when I cuddle up against you. I wonder why?”

His biceps flexed. God, this man’s body was insane, and it was all mine. “Maybe I make you feel safe?”

“Maybe?” I grinned. “Wanna cookie or a croissant? They just came out of the oven.”

“I wish. I have a breakfast meeting this morning with the mayor and the rest of the team. I’ll be glad when this event is over. Can you meet me around four today? I have a surprise for you.”

“I think so. I’m just so behind. What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

“Fine. Where at?”

“How about I come and meet you here, and we can walk over together.”

“Alright. Sounds like a date – a short one because I have to decorate about ten thousand more cookies for the booth,” I groaned.

“I know. But I think we deserve an hour. I could come over and help tonight, you know. I’ll be done with things on my end around seven. I’m sure you’re skipping caroling tonight, right?”

“Cookies…”

“I figured. I’ll come after. I could at least do the flooding for you.”

“Are you sure? You being around is a real distraction because you look… better than the cookies.” I could feel the blush take over my incredibly white skin. Being a redhead meant that you could almost never hide your shame or your desire. I always had desires for Ben.

“I’ll keep my clothes on,” he chuckled.

“I’m getting hard. Out – you. I will see you at four.”

“I love you, babe.”

“I love you, too.”

I watched him turn and walk back into the main room and sighed. This man was sure to be the death of me. But it would be a very beautiful way to go.