CHAPTER TWELVE

SIERRA

The morning of the All Schools Day parade dawns bright and early, and I hit the ground running. Caleb and I need to set up our booth at the community building where everyone congregates after the parade, plus finalize any last-minute details before the grand opening of Crossing’s Cups Cakes.

It”s crazy to me that the day we”ve been preparing for is finally here. Not too long ago I was caught sneaking into my archnemesis’s coffee shop and now I’ve joined forces with him to create a revamped bakery and coffee shop combination. Brewed no longer exists, neither does Buttercream Dreams, and in their place is Crossing’s Cups Cakes.

Shrugging on a hoodie with our updated logo, I grab my keys and bag before heading out the door and driving to our newly renovated location. Construction finished a few days ago and we spent the intervening time between then and now organizing tables, chairs, and decor. After our grand reveal today at the parade, we will officially be open to a crowd of customers.

“Ready, Sierra Bear?” Caleb looks up from his laptop once I step into the back office we”re sharing.

“Ready as I”ll ever be.” My stuff clanks to the desktop next to an iced coffee and blueberry muffin. “What’s this?” I ask before greedily sucking down the sugary goodness.

“Your favorite drink and breakfast treat. Figured we should start the day off on a high note.”

The thoughtful gesture surprises me even if it shouldn”t. Ever since our picnic date, Caleb has shown me a totally different side of himself. He still likes to play pranks and knows how to rile me up, but my perspective has changed. It”s playful rather than malicious—although the more I think about it the more I doubt any of his actions were meant to be malicious in the first place. They were all misinterpretations in my head. Shannon would say it was my overdramatic side getting the best of me.

“Thanks. Is everything ready for us to transport? Or do I need to start—”

Caleb shakes his head. “Nope, we’re good. It was smart to finish everything last night, so this morning goes easier. Let’s load up my Jeep, then we can get going. Mandy”s still coming in after the parade, right?”

“Yep, she”ll man the store while we”re in the booth.”

“And Tristan will help her,” Caleb adds, mentioning one of his baristas. “With Keely on standby, if they need more help.”

“Fingers crossed they do!” I want today to be huge for our opening, especially after all the hard work we’ve put into it.

The morning passes quickly with table set-up and chatting with our booth neighbors, and soon we”re waiting restlessly for parade-goers to arrive. The only downside to the day so far is our competitor being placed in a booth right across from us. Someone dressed as a cappuccino dances in front of their table while a guy wearing a polo urges people to spin a giant wheel for a prize.

“We should have thought of something like that,” I lament. Hell, even I’d want to spin that wheel like a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and those guys are technically the enemy. No way the families that pass are going to be able to resist—not with little kid hands instinctively reaching for one of the fun prizes.

“Let them give away cheap plastic toys.” Caleb nudges my shoulder. “They can afford it, but we don”t need to waste our money on gimmicks.”

“I hope you”re right. Everybody likes free stuff.”

“We”ve got free treats,” he reminds me.

It”s funny how optimistic he is. And kind of endearing. But lately I’ve found a lot of Caleb’s traits attractive, a strange twist on how I previously viewed him.

“Hey guys, this looks great.” Shannon and Cole approach our booth as the sound of a band outside wails in the background. One of the marching bands must have decided to provide people with an encore.

“Thanks. This is our moment of truth. Whether or not we totally fucked up our businesses, or if combining was a good choice.”

“It”s a good choice. A smart one.” Shannon comforts me again. She”s heard me go back and forth on this for the past couple of weeks. Like a broken record, I’m sure I’ve driven her crazy with my worries.

“Yeah, it”s not like the two of you disappeared. Your businesses are still the same. Just in one convenient location,” Cole interjects, offering a closed fist for Caleb to pound with his own in greeting.

“That”s what I”ve been telling her. But Sierra likes to worry.”

“No kidding.” Shannon laughs. “We’ll catch you guys later, okay? Willow is here with Rhys somewhere at a booth for his custom ironwork, and I’m curious to see it all displayed.”

After agreeing to meet up for dinner, Caleb and I turn on the smiles and greet everyone who passes by. A blur of new and familiar faces, all excited about Crossing’s Cups Cakes, form a constant line around us, and every so often Caleb catches my eye and winks or smiles or mouths some kind of encouragement. In general, crowds don’t bother me, but with the stress of launching something new, meeting so many people can be overwhelming. Caleb’s calm presence and attention helps ground me in a way I didn’t expect.

People compliment our new name, the cute rebranding, the updated coffee and pastry flavors. All in all, it”s been the best launch I could have imagined. And I”m grateful for Luna suggesting the idea. For Caleb pushing me to accept it.

***

“You”re amazing, you know?”

“I do,” I say with a grin. After an exhausting day, we’re both leaning against the Crossing’s Cups Cakes counter looking out the front windows at a glowing Main Street. Leftover candy and confetti—remnants from the earlier parade—litter the sidewalk where the garbage patrol missed some spots. “But why exactly am I amazing today?”

“You’re great with customers, as expected, and you”ve really trusted me these past few months. Something I never thought you would do, but I”m grateful for it.”

“It”s easier to trust you when we”re working towards a common goal.”

“True.” He laughs. “Have you thought about us anymore? Since our date, our relationship has kind of been on the backburner because of how hectic it’s been around here. But things aren’t going to slow down anytime soon.” Caleb faces me and cups my cheek. “If we want this to work, we’ll need to make time for it.”

He’s right. Ever since our date and that amazing night together, I”ve been thinking about what our future holds. Dating my business partner. Falling in love with my former enemy. And today helped me remember what good can come from taking a leap of faith.

“I agree.” I turn my head to plant a kiss in the center of his palm. “We may have started out rocky—mostly because of me and my theatrics.” I roll my eyes heavenward at the bark of laughter he tries to disguise as a cough. “But even when I referred to you as my archnemesis, I still had this pesky attraction to the guy next door.”

“Pesky?” Caleb mock frowns and slaps my ass before hooking me around the waist and tugging me closer.

“Yep. How could I have a thing for my enemy? The guy who drove me crazy? It wasn’t rational.”

“It’s hot. Everyone falls for the villain these days.”

“You”re not a villain. You’re the push I needed to break out of my rut. A rut I didn”t even realize I was in until you made me see it. So, thanks.”

“You”re very welcome, sweetcakes.” Caleb takes a deep breath then slowly exhales, his tender gaze studying mine. “Thank you for trusting me and giving me a chance. I promise you won”t regret it.”

“Oh, I”m sure I”ll regret it sometimes. You can be very annoying when you want to be,” I tease.

“You make it so easy.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just kiss me already.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He presses a hard kiss to my lips, and I follow his mouth when he retreats, hoping for something a little longer, a little more passionate, which is when my frustrating but endearing man suggests, “Let”s have a quickie in celebration for our first day in business.”

At first, I think he’s kidding, but then Caleb drags me back to our office, away from the front window where anyone driving by could see us.

“This is so unprofessional.” But I don’t fight him when he unbuttons my jeans. Or rips my CCC tee off. Not even when he bends me over his desk, my palms clinging to the edges of the heavy oak.

“You okay, sweetcakes?” Caleb pauses with the head of his cock at my soaking entrance, waiting for my consent.

“More than okay.” I rock my hips back in a silent plea. “Don”t stop now. We were just getting to the good part.”

A rumble of amusement vibrates against my back before the swift thrust of his cock burying deep steals my breath. Holy hell, I knew he”d feel good, but damn… The stretch of his thick length pummeling in and out of my pussy is more than I imagined.

My hands search for something—anything—to grasp for purchase. To anchor me to Earth rather than shooting straight into the sky like a bottle rocket.

Caleb licks a wet trail up my neck to whisper in my ear. “You”re mine, Sierra. This cunt is made for me. You are made for me.”

“Yes…”

“And you”re going to come for me, aren”t you? You”re going to come for your man because this little pussy can”t get enough of my dick.” He grunts and curses, his rhythm increasing. Drilling me into the desk like he wants a permanent imprint of my body on the dark wood.d

Wouldn”t that be a sight for visitors to our office? But I can”t find it in me to care as my pleasure peaks, and I collapse under Caleb’s weight.

It may be nice to have a reminder of tonight. The grand opening of our business. The grand christening of our relationship.

“My sweet Sierra Bear.” Caleb nuzzles my cheek, and I sigh, hopeful for the future.

Maybe I don”t hate that nickname, after all.