Page 10 of Sweet Heart for the Bear

I have to touch her.

She looks down at my hand before pushing hers into it, and fuck me, it’s like a lightning bolt.

“Ooh! Sorry, must be static electricity,” she apologizes, but I’m just sitting and staring.

Like a creeper.

“That’s alright, Carina. He’ll have the tea, too.”

“Okay. Um, yeah, I’ll be right back,” she says and bites her plump lower lip before turning away.

And that’s what I’m afraid of.

Chapter4

Carina

Ihead back to the drink station, giving myself a moment to reset.

It’s a standard setup—nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

A commercial ice machine hums beside the soda fountain, the milkshake blender sits ready for action, and our ice cream selection, though small, is mighty.

The real stars of the drink station, though? Three massive five-gallon jugs of tea chilled in the fridge.

Unsweetened black tea.For people who enjoy suffering.

Mint green tea.For the health-conscious and, apparently, my sister Dina’s latest obsession.

And finally—the king of them all—sweet tea. For the people with taste.

I grab two tall glasses and start pouring, the ice clinking as the golden liquid fills them.

My sisters' voices carry from the open kitchen, where they’re busy prepping.

The kitchen is separated from the front by a half-wall with a plexiglass window that slides open when needed.

It keeps things running smoothly—orders up, pizzas out, no unnecessary chaos.

To the left, the pizza oven radiates heat, and just in front of it, a high counter allows us—me, my sisters, and the part-timers we hired—to serve up the good stuff without customers wandering into the workspace. The place is small, but we use every inch well.

We can seat over two dozen people, but let’s be real—takeout is where the real money is.

That’s why getting our website up and running for online orders is top priority.

Or at least, itshouldbe.

Right now?

Right now, my brain is stuck on my new customers.

Especially the big one.

Horace.Who even names their kid that anymore?

I don’t know if it is his soulful brown eyes and imposing frame that have me all hot and bothered, but I am.

He isn’t doing anything. Just sitting there in jeans and a light sweater. Like it’s not twenty degrees outside.

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