Page 14 of The Magical Tea Shop

In fact, with all these men in her shop, not one of them was Jaxon. He’d said he would drop by with the new lease but had yet to make an appearance, and it was nearing ten o’clock.

Roman stood. At six foot four he towered over her, but leaned down and kissed her cheek as he worked his crutches under his arms.

“Can we keep it casual?” she asked. That would be better. Roman was definitely good-looking in his tall, dark, handsome kind of way, but she always felt too tiny next to him. She much preferred Jaxon’s height. It was only an inch or two difference, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, she felt safe with Jaxon. He was the perfect height for her to tilt her head up to his. She bet she would fit perfectly in his arms.

But Jaxon hadn’t asked her, and Roman had.

She’d thought she didn’t want a boyfriend-type date with Roman, but maybe she actually did. She took a moment to study him. He owned the local hardware store. He was dark skinned, tall, muscular, had those deep-set brown eyes and jet-black hair. He was the regular star hitter of the Rebels, andhewas askingherout.

“What did you have in mind?” asked Roman.

“How ’bout Kaylee’s Refresher? It might be easier with your crutches not to have to maneuver through a restaurant with tight little tables.” She bit her lip, hoping she hadn’t offended him by choosing such a casual venue. Kaylee’s was an outdoor burger stand, really, but super cool with high-end burgers and sandwiches that catered to every diet from carnivore to low carb to vegan to gluten free. Not to mention the rainbow selection of milkshakes.

“What’s your favorite?” Roman asked, and Ivy grinned.

“Raspberry cheesecake.”

“Is that a new flavor?”

“It’s my new weakness.”

Roman leaned in again. “Raspberry cheesecake milkshakes it is, because you, Ivy Wayland,” his breath tickled her ear, and she caught hers, “aremynew weakness.”

She watched him work his way through the crowded shop to the door, deftly handling his crutches. That was kinda wow. She’d never thought of Roman as romantic. Should she consider him? Play the field? Go out on lots of dates? Would that make Jaxon notice her as a woman and not just a friend?

She shook her head, disappointed in herself. She wasn’t into playing games—well, except for baking magic cookies—but apparently they hadn’t had any effect on Jaxon, which meant the legend was all myth.

Of course it was. She gave herself a little shake and sighed. Magic wasn’t real. Magic was illusion and artifice. Besides, she absolutely would not go out with one man to make another man jealous. That wasn’t any way to treat either Jaxon or Roman. No, she would go out tonight on a casual date with Roman, so she could enjoy his company and get to know him better. She gave a decisive nod. She was a single woman who didnotneed to stay in every night of the week. She would enjoy this date on its own merits.

She would not compare Roman to Jaxon.

Much.

When Pedro from the diner across the street bustled in, Ivy hurried over to help him. She knew he must be busy. Showing up midday like this was out-of-character. Usually, it was her popping over to his diner at the end of the day to pick up takeout because she had no inclination to cook dinner for just herself after working all day in the tea shop. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to pick up some of your scones for the diner.”

“Oh! Oh, that’s lovely.” Ivy immediately began to put an order together for him.

Pedro surveyed the crowded shop, and his gaze fell on her whiteboard with the day’s selections. “You’ve added lunch items?”

“Yes.” At his perplexed frown, she added, “Oh, does that cut into your business? I didn’t think about that.”

Pedro laughed. “Competition is good. I’ve been thinking of adding Mexican specials to the menu now that my stepdad sold me his business. What do you think?”

“Oh, Pedro, that’s a delightful idea. I mean, of course! Who doesn’t love Leo’s famous meat loaf special?” They laughed. “I know it’s been a staple for…” She paused.

“Forty,” said Pedro with an eye roll.

“Years,” finished Ivy. They laughed again. “A cuisine a bit trendier might be in order.”

“Maybe you could sample some of my ideas and let me know what you think? I have lots of ideas.” He moved in a little closer. “Lots of really delicious ideas. What do you say?”

“That sounds like fun.” Ivy stepped back.

Pedro stepped close again. “I know how you like fun.”

Ivy turned her face up to his and blinked at him. “You do?”

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