“Pretty amazing,” I mirror, unable to hide the hint of boredom in my voice. I’ve never gotten into baseball, have always found it fairly boring. Actually, sports aren’t really my thing. I’d rather curl up with a good book and hot cocoa underneath a fluffy blanket or sit on the back porch as the sun starts to drop below the horizon. That sounds like a good time to me, not spending hours watching men swing at a ball with a stick.
But I do it.
Regularly.
For Dustin.
“Anyway, let’s go!” he exclaims, hightailing it for the door that leads to the garage bay housing my car.
I may not hold his enthusiasm for seeing Jasper, but I am fairly excited to go to the bakery. Especially since after Jasper and his friends are done, the front half of my new business will be almost set up. I’ll be able to add the final touches, bringing my dreams, my vision to life.
Grabbing the basket of goodies on the counter, I slip my purse over my shoulder and meet my brother in the garage. Once inside, I crank up the heat, even though the inside of the car isn’t super cold and we’re only going a couple of blocks. However, I get cold easily, and there’s something about the snow that makes me want to feel warm and toasty.
The drive is short, yet slow on the freshly fallen snow, but that doesn’t stop my brother from talking about baseball the entire trip. I pull into the alley, noticing the slightly gathered snow by the back door. “I’m going to let you get out here, so you don’t have to go through the snow with your walker.”
Dustin rolls his eyes. “I’ll be fine. It’s not even that deep.”
“I know, but humor me, huh?” I ask, stopping my car anyway at the back entrance to Sugar Rush.
He doesn’t argue, just gets out while I unlock the door. Once he’s inside, I move my car across the alley, where employees for the bank next door park. The spots are full right now, but I imagine when I start getting here at four in the morning, I’ll have my pick of any spot.
Pasting a grin on my lips, I grab my belongings and head for the back door, careful not to slip in the wet slush covering the alleyway. As I approach the small concrete landing for my space, I feel my foot start to slip out from under me. I don’t have time to reach for the wall, the doorknob, anything to grab on to. I’m going to fall.
But I don’t go down.
I’m wrapped in a pair of strong arms and pulled against a hard chest. “Careful, Lyn,” Jasper whispers against my ear.
The breath leaves my lungs, but it has nothing to do with the cold air hitting me. It’s caused by the fresh scent, the waves of musky aftershave washing over me as I’m held in someone’s arms. Warmth races through my veins, and my body begins to heat, as if I were lying directly on top of a furnace vent. Not to mention, the comfort that surrounds me like my favorite blanket at home.
“Why do women always fall at your feet?” a man says somewhere behind me.
I jerk as realization sets in. Not only are we not alone, but we’re not…together. There’s no reason to feel anything but appreciation to the man who kept me from falling on my ass in the slushy snow.
Pushing myself out of his grasp, I stand up and turn around, adjusting my purse strap and the basket in my shaky hands. “Hello,” I croak, staring at the three very handsome men in front of me.
Jasper chuckles. “I see you’re still light on your feet,” he teases, that cocky grin plastered on his face. I narrow my eyes, which only makes him laugh. “You going to invite us in or leave us standing out in the cold snow?”
Sighing, I reach back and grab the door, careful not to drop the basket in my arms. “Let me,” the tall man with tattoos peeking over the neck of his shirt says. He holds the door as I slip inside, followed by the others. “I’m Jameson,” he adds, reaching his hand forward, dark tattoos stretched across the skin.
“Lyndee,” I reply, giving him a friendly smile.
At first glance, he’s a little scary. No, not scary, but maybe a bit intimidating. Hard eyes, dark hair, and an I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude rolling off his broad shoulders. Though, there’s something else in those deep eyes. A friendliness I wasn’t expecting. Standing there in combat boots, worn and tattered blue jeans, and a Nirvana T-shirt under a beat-up black leather jacket, he gives off a strong vibe to keep your distance, but that’s not what I catch a glimpse of in his eyes. There’s a sadness there, one that makes my heart ache just a little.
“And I’m Isaac,” the other says, shaking my hand as well. This one’s like night and day different than Jameson. In black dress slacks, a blue button-down, an impeccable black silk tie, and a designer peacoat, I can tell he puts a lot of time and money into his appearance. His hazel eyes are friendly, his dark hair professionally styled. This man probably gets regular haircuts, and possibly a professional shave.
“Nice to meet you,” I state with a nod.
“Hey!” Dustin proclaims, joining us in the kitchen.
“Dustin, good to see you again,” Jasper replies, giving my brother a warm smile.
“You too. I see you brought some friends to help move the counter,” he says, the roll of the walker wheels echoing through the room.
“I did. This is Jameson and Isaac. Walker would have been here too, but his girlfriend’s daughter has a dentist appointment this morning she was nervous about,” Jasper responds, heading to where my brother stands. “Are you ready to show us where you want this stuff moved to?” he asks Dustin, completely leaving me out of it.
Annoyance spreads through my veins as I watch the two walk off, chatting, and leaving me behind. Jasper’s friends follow, taking in the kitchen as they go. Isaac glances back. “You have a great space here.”
“Thank you,” I reply, my heart swelling with pride as I give the room a onceover. I’ve put everything into this building, my life savings and then some. I took out loans and have lines of credit that make my palms sweat with anxiety, but all of those are necessary evils to obtain my dream.
“I have a great relationship with several local vendors. If you ever need help or get in a pinch, let me know. We’ll help however we can,” Isaac states, his words striking me like a blade.
Tears prickle my eyelids, but I blink them away. I’m not sure why I want to cry, other than in gratitude for the generosity he’s offering. As a new business, and a new transplant to town on top of it, the vendors were a bit nervous when I set up accounts. No one wants to give credit for their product to someone they don’t know, even if that product is flour and sugar.
“Thank you,” I tell him, swallowing the emotions that come with seeing it all fall into place with one week until opening.
I step into the front lobby area, and quietly observe as they get a game plan together.
“This big display case goes here,” Dustin informs, motioning with his hands where we want it, “And the counter beside it.”
Jasper scrunches his eyebrows together in question. He turns to me and asks, “Why this way? The display would be closer to the kitchen if you flipped them. Easier to move product from the back to the front.”
His righteous tone heckles my nerves. “I don’t want it there.”
Jasper crosses his arms and narrows his eyes. “That’s dumb. It makes more sense the other way.”