Chapter One

Marigold

"MJ!"

Letting out a sigh, I try to remain calm. Tomorrow's grand opening requires me to do my own prep work. Every time Logan calls my name, I have to stop and help him. I don't have time to help him. He's been a godsend, don't get me wrong, but sometimes he's a lot. Just nineteen short days ago, when I arrived in town, he made me his friend. As I parked my big, old expedition truck in front of the bakery, he was already standing outside the door.

"New here?"

"Yep."

"This your place?"

"Yep."

"Good. I need a job. I'm an amazing baker, a real people person, and can sell the shit out of anything. You good with that?"

I was so taken aback by his abruptness, but at the same time, grateful he was waiting for me. Like my own personal guardian angel sent to welcome me to my new town.

"MJ!"

My body jumps as Logan calls me yet again. I put more strength into kneading the dough.

"Yo! Marigold! You going to let it burn or what?"

Goddamnit.

"Just a minute!"

"No minutes when your shop is smokin', girl. Get your ass out here!"

My heart races. What is he talking about? Running to the front of the bakery, I see sparks shooting out, smoke swirling from the wall, and realize the light switch is smoking.

"Oh my God! What's going on?" I immediately flip the switch to the off position, like that's going to help, and start fanning the smoke which is rising to the ceiling.

"Girl, I don't know, but you better call someone. I've been watching the smoke get thicker for the last few minutes."

"You've been watching it and not doing anything?" I screech out.

"I called your name, but you didn't answer." He rolls his eyes and leans his hip against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest like he has all the time in the world. I love Logan, but right now, I hope he chokes on a Danish.

Running for my phone, I quickly dial 911, begging for the fire department to come quickly. Then I usher us both outside and wait.

"Girl, I need this job. Do you offer unemployment if the place burns down?"

Gritting my teeth, I take a breath. "It's not going to burn down."

"You sure? Because that smoke was thick."

It wasn't thick. But something is definitely wrong. And I can't afford to have anything go wrong. "Logan. It's going to be fine. Just let the firefighters come. I'm sure it's just an electrical short."

"Mhm."

My irritation grows as I watch him inspect his nails with a raised brow, pressing his lips together in a firm line.

The sound of the sirens saves his ass as I watch two fire trucks pull up. This is not a good look for my bakery that is supposed to open tomorrow. I moved to town just under three weeks ago, hoping to start anew. My hometown didn't feel right anymore, after I found out my high school sweetheart was cheating on me. Over seven years together and he wouldn't commit. Now I know why. While I was dedicated to building a life for us, he was committed to taste testing every cupcake in town.

As soon as I found out his controlling, treacherous face was covered with sticky icing, he was kicked to the curb. And I packed my shit and left.

Three firefighters in full gear jump down from the trucks and head for the door. The last guy to jump out of the truck, has a swagger about him. He shakes his head, his blonde hair swaying across his forehead, helmet in hand. Narrowing my eyes on him, I wonder why he's not putting his helmet on.

"Ma'am." My eyes flare at the way he addresses me. "Are you the one who called?"

My back is instantly up. By the looks of him, this guy is close to my age, and he wants to call me ma'am? "Yes. Logan told me the outlet was smoking, and I figured it was a faulty wire. I'm set to open tomorrow, so I need to make sure everything is okay."

He switches his stance and moves his helmet to his other hand. "And who is Logan?"

"That's me, Stud."

I elbow Logan at his outburst and continue, "He's my employee." Pausing, I wait only to get irritated while this fireman continues to stare back at me. "Shouldn't you go inside and check it out?"

His lips twitch and I see the slightest of smirks appear. I hate this guy already. Sure, he's good looking; with his blonde surfer hair and deep blue eyes, tan skin and a chiseled jaw.

But this attitude? No thanks.

"I'm checking it out, don't you worry." He winks and brushes by me.

"Oooooh, girl! It's hotter out here than that smoking socket!"

"Logan!"

"You didn't feel that? That man was all flame!" He snaps his fingers and does some strange pelvic thrust, and it's just what I need to lighten my mood. A laugh bubbles from my throat.

"Logan! Stop! There was no flame. I could smack the smirk right off his face. He's just another smug asshole. I left one of those behind, I don't need to find a new one here. He just needs to go in there and fix this. Do his job and then go so we can be ready for tomorrow."

"Ma'am!"

Grinding my teeth, I glare at Logan as he laughs. "You're being beckoned, ma'am."

"He's. My. Age," I hiss through my teeth. "Come on, I need a witness."

"I'm not into that type of thing, but girl. He's fine. So maybe I'll make an exception." Rolling my eyes, I turn and head inside, Logan hot on my trail. "Whew, that uniform makes him even hotter. Think he goes my way?"

"That would actually be perfect right now," I grumble as we walk into my shop. "Oh, my god!" I gasp as I see pieces of the ceiling cut out and the socket hanging loosely from the wall, which now has a matching hole the size of the one in the ceiling. "What are you doing? Stop!"

One fireman is up on a ladder with his head through the ceiling, one has an axe in hand and the third is barking orders.

"Stoppp!" I yell again as the blonde Ken doll turns my way.

"Ma'am. Calm down."

"Stop telling me to calm down! And stop calling me ma'am! I'm twenty-five! What is happening? It was a little smoke. Look at what you did! How am I supposed to open tomorrow?"

Smug guy stands still and places his hands on his hips. "A four by four cut out or burn the place down? Your choice, Miss...?"

"James. Marigold James." Logan jumps in, then leans into my ear and whispers, "Hot."

Batting Logan away, I stand tall in front of Mr. Smug. "Cuts or not, fire or not, I need to open this place tomorrow. Just tell me whether that can happen."

My voice breaks on that last word, and handsome or not, I don't have time for this.

His plump lips, that I'm only noticing now, roll inwards and his blue eyes seem to sparkle. His dirty blonde hair catches the lights in the shop, showcasing some highlights, and his outstanding physical appearance makes me even angrier.

"Miss James. We'll get it sorted for you and make sure you're okay to open tomorrow. I apologize for the mess, but it needed to be inspected. These wires look ancient. Who rented you this space?"

"I own it," I answer sharply.

He raises a brow. "Who did you buy it from?"

Waving my hands in dismissal I say, "Call my realtor! What does it matter? Just tell me how long you're going to be here. I have a lot of work to do in the next twelve hours."

He throws his helmet on, securing the strap beneath his chin. It feels like a slap in the face after I questioned him earlier. "We want to be thorough, is all. You have insurance, I'm sure?"

Taking a breath, I steady myself. "Just please avoid any unnecessary damage." If this grand opening doesn't go well, I'm going to have to move again. And in the short amount of time I've been here, I already love it. I don't want to go. Aside from Logan, I've only found one other friend that I know I can count on and call at any time. I'm the newbie in town and it's important for me to make a good impression with this bakery.

Pulling out my cell, I text that new friend, Reece.

Me: I'm coming by

I've found out Reece and her family are a staple here in town. She moved away to be a teacher, and this is her first summer back to Love Beach. Guess you can take the girl out of the small town, but you can't take the small town out of the girl. I'm so thankful to have run into her. I'll never forget that day. We both ended up at the local supply store. Her for drink mixes and me for sweet mixes. We both reached for the peach mix and looked at each other with surprise. Then burst into giggles.

"Peach? Seriously?"

Shrugging, she says, "It's my parents' favorite. I make almost everything with a bit of peach."

Eyes wide. "I'm from Georgia, so you know I do everything with peaches."

"I'm Reece."

"I'm Marigold."

And that's all it took. Meeting her just two weeks ago, we fell in love with each other over peaches and I've been lucky to get to know her. Not a day goes by where I don't send a text questioning some happenings in the town or where I can get a certain item. Or just looking for plain old gossip.

Grabbing my bag from the back and returning to the mess that is my life, I look at Logan. "Please stay here while they finish." I narrow my eyes at the hole in the ceiling, then pin them on Mr. Smug. "I'd appreciate no extra axe maneuvers while I'm not here to approve anything."

"I can't make any promises. If we see smoke, we have to investigate. And that could mean pulling down walls to find the source." My heart races, but then my blood boils as I see that same hint of a smirk spread across his lips. "Don't worry, Goldie, we'll save your place."

What an ass, giving me nicknames. Who does he think he is? Raising a brow, and breathing deep to calm my racing heart, I won't acknowledge the name he's given. I point at Logan. "You don't leave this place until they're done."

He waves his fingers at me, then turns to face Mr. Smug. "She's just nervous about tomorrow. Okay, now show me how you swing that giant axe of yours."

Storming out, Logan's giggles are the last noise I hear above the pounding of my heart in my ears. Logan loves to stir me up. And making friends with this guy? They've both just risen to the top of my hit list.

Walking the short distance towards the other end of Main Street, I enter the Love Beach Brews where Reece works, and the same one her boy toy owns.

It's still early, so the place is quiet. I walk to the back stockroom and approach the door. Pausing at the moans I hear coming from behind it, I huff a laugh. It has me confirming my already suspicious insights.

She's sleeping with Isaac.

And I'm here for it.

I long to catch these two in the act! Turning the knob, I call out, "You two can make out later?—"

"We're not making out!"

"Hands on. Hands off. Whatever you want to call it." Isaac smirks looking at me and Reece rolls her eyes, then pushes back on him. I don't miss the way his eyes flare and I stifle a snicker. "It's not even noon. I've already had a shit day and just met a firefighter I could have done without."

Reece furrows her brows. "Firefighter? What happened?"

"He was a complete douch?—"

"No! Why did you need the fire department?"

Waving my hand. "Electrical thing. Which now has the grand opening of Cakeology complete with extra ventilation. They had to cut around the ceiling tiles. The place looks a mess and his attitude didn't help." I sag against the door jamb. "I need tomorrow to be perfect! Why does this stuff happen to me?"

Isaac speaks with a sarcastic tone. "You attract hot messes?" I flip him off and he snorts at my look of disgust. "Speaking of hot, what did this fireman with an attitude look like?"

"Why? You interested?" I lay his snark right back on him and pop my hip.

Chuckling, he says, "No, but I may know him."

"Of course you do," I sigh. "He was tall. A jerk. A tall jerk! Blondish hair that looked like he spent way too much time styling it. No wonder he didn't want to put the helmet on," I muse to myself. "Or was it because he thought he was God's gift and it didn't fit his big fat head? Did I mention he was a douche? Oh, and he called me ma'am. Ma'am!!" When their wide smiles appear, I ask, "What's so funny?"

"It sounds a lot like Mads," Isaac says.

"Mads?"

"Maddox," Reece says and waits with expectancy and an amused look that's very similar to Mr. Smug. "Maddox Baylor. He's my brother and more accurately, my twin."

"Oh, fuck a duck!" I throw my hands up in exasperation. That's just great. My only other friend in this town and I've just insulted her brother. "You know what? Ignore me. Maybe he's a good guy. Maybe it's just me. Hi! I'm the problem, it's me." I quickly scan the stockroom. "I promise you guys can continue whatever rub down foreplay that was as soon as I get my cider. Hell, I can just grab it myself. Forget I was here."

"No, wait, I'll just grab it from the cooler."

Awkwardly, I wait while Reece grabs the cask from the cooler and I narrow my eyes at Isaac, who continues watching me with a grin.

"Great, thank you. This is just what I need." I snatch it from her with two hands and hightail it out of there before I stick my foot in my mouth again.

So, Mr. Smug has a name. Maddox.

And a sister.

Damn it, I should have seen the resemblance. Now that I know, it's impossible not to.

Righting my shoulders, I head back down the sidewalk towards my bakery. It doesn't matter how handsome he was, or how accessible he is being my friend's brother. Twin brother.

I'm sure he's taken.

Where did that thought come from? Logan's words replay in my head about the ‘stud being a flame'.

His know-it-all attitude sucks.

His hair is too pretty.

I don't like him.

I need to do my best to keep my distance from him.

And in a small town called Love Beach? I think I'm already destined to fail.