Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Between Caleb’s hockey game and book club, Rhys had gone a few days without being alone with Caleb. He’d promised to bring dinner for their work session tonight, and he’d decided to bring something special instead of ordering pizza or sandwiches from the pub. That was the best way he’d thought of to apologize for hurting Caleb when they saw each other at the bookstore.
When business tapered off for the afternoon, Rhys took a break and crossed the street to the bakery. Tessa was thrilled to see him. “Caleb was just in here.”
“What did he need?” Rhys tried to act only mildly interested, but he wanted to know what she’d said to Caleb.
“He just wanted to discuss some additions to his standing order.”
That was a lie. He knew Tessa well enough to know her tells, but if he called her on it, he’d betray his own interest in Caleb.
“He looked good today,” she said. “He had on a green shirt. That’s such a good color on him.”
Rhys glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “He looks good every day.”
Tess grinned. “That’s true enough. You look nice today too. What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion.” Rhys shifted from one foot to another. He didn’t want Tessa picking up on anything that might give her more clues about what was going on with him and Caleb. This was exactly why he didn’t want her to know they were working together.
She studied him for far too long before saying, “It looked like you and Caleb had a nice chat at the orchard.”
Rhys shrugged, hoping Tessa couldn’t tell he was panicking inside. “He liked feeding the rabbits too.”
“I think he liked talking to you more,” Finn said as he walked in from the back.
“You’re matchmaking too now?”
Finn just laughed.
“You have to know I’m not going to date someone who’s running a business down the street from me.” Once again, Rhys glanced around, making sure no one was approaching the counter. “That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
“He’s a nice guy, and it’s a small town. You can’t be too picky.”
“I can want a tiny bit of privacy.”
“Sorry,” Tessa said. He could tell she was worried she was pushing too hard.
“I know you mean well.”
“I do. I want the best for you.”
It was time to get out of there. “Could I get a baguette?”
“Are you sure there’s not an occasion?”
“Not other than wanting baguette with my dinner.” He did usually buy their white farmstead bread, but a baguette shouldn’t seem too strange.
“You’re changing your routine. What are you making?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Do you ask all your customers what they’re using the products for?”
Tessa smiled. “No, I reserve that treatment for my best friends.”
“Maybe your best friend just wants some bread, and it’s no big deal.”
She tilted her head and looked at him.
“Plenty of people like to switch up what they eat.”
“Yes, but not you, and you’re being mysterious lately.”
What did that mean? “No, I’m not.”
Finally, she grabbed a baguette from the basket where they kept them, slid it into a long paper bag, and handed it to him. “Enjoy your bread.”
Rhys frowned. “Aren’t you going to ring me up?”
“No, consider it payment for letting me annoy you.”
“Tessa, I don’t—”
“Watch out, or I’ll add some cookies to your order.”
“Fine. I’m going now.”
“What are you up to tonight other than eating a baguette?”
He shrugged. “Nothing special. It’s just a normal Monday night.”
“Right, because you’re acting so normal.”
“Leave him alone,” Finn said.
Rhys inclined his head toward Finn. “Thanks.”
Tessa huffed. “All right. Go home. Be boring. Do whatever is normal.”
“Did you decide on your festival drink?” Finn asked.
Rhys realized he should’ve said he was working on his drink that night. Then, if they saw his car back at the shop, they wouldn’t question it.
“No, I guess I should work on that tonight.” Tessa glanced at Finn, and Rhys knew he wasn’t getting out of there yet.
“And you forgot about that a minute ago?” Tessa asked.
“No. Yes. It’s not part of my normal routine to go back to the shop.”
“Wow, something really is going on with you,” Tessa said.
Rhys wondered if he should just tell her. She was going to figure it out eventually. “I’m going now. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye,” Tessa and Finn said together as he practically ran for the door.
After Rhys closed up Frost + Foam for the day, he drove over to the next town to shop at a gourmet market. He wasn’t as likely to run into anyone there, and they would have everything he needed for the dinner he’d planned. What he hadn’t told Tessa was that he needed the baguette to go with a charcuterie board he was making for him and Caleb. He wasn’t skilled at cooking, and he doubted Caleb wanted scrambled eggs or ramen, but at least he could put together something that looked fancy.