Page 133 of Delicious

It made me sad knowing that Dad had always wanted to expand, but paying our employees had been the number one goal that first year after he was gone. We’d been in mourning, and taking on additional debt had been the last thing on anyone’s minds. The pressure had eased a bit in recent months, and that For Sale or Lease sign had taunted me.

Seriously. Just three weeks ago, I’d worked on a spreadsheet and outlined a proposal for expansion. My cousins, Sal, Vanni, and Jimmy were interested too, and that had me fired up. This could be real. After three years of sadness and nonstop struggle, we might actually do something positive.

We’d talked about tinkering with the menu, tearing the wall down, and modernizing the space. The old, pockmarked linoleum floors, seventies’ paneling, and dull lighting could make room for fancy tiles, leather booths, and contemporary accents.

Or not.

The agent had regretfully informed me that the property had been leased. Okay, that was a bummer, but I figured it might be the universe’s way of letting me know the timing wasn’t right. I had to hold on, be patient. Trust me, that was easier said than done lately. It pissed me off knowing we’d never get a chance like the one we’d just missed out on again.

All because of…bagels.

And Rob Vilmer.

We’d never been friends. Not really. Just teammates. I hadn’t seen Rob since graduation. He’d been drafted and had played pro for a few years, and now he was back in Haverton…selling bagels. Color me curious.

I peered through the window at the cavernous space with a brick façade on one side, black-and-white tiled flooring, furnished with nothing but a cardboard table littered with rolls of design plans. Two men stood in the center: a shorter, balding guy pointed at the ceilings while a tall, massive dude with shaggy brown hair nodded, his arm draped over the shoulders of a woman with bouncy blond curls.

“Mateo, honey. Are you lost?”

I pivoted, rolling my eyes at the stout older woman with a jet-black bob who was decked out in her signature gold chains, hoop earrings, and leopard pantsuit. I kid you not.

“Hi, Aunt Sylvie.” I kissed her on each cheek and tried not to wince when she reached up to smooth my wild hair into place, her bangles smacking my temple. “We have a new neighbor.”

“Oh, go say hello.” She shooed me with a red manicured hand toward the door and held up a pastry bag before hurrying to the pizzeria. “I brought cannolis for you boys. Better hurry, or they’ll be gone.”

“Thanks, I?—”

“Mateo Cavaretti. Is that you?” The shaggy-haired bear of a man stood in the doorway with his arms crossed and his head cocked inquisitively.

Well, I was stuck now.

I transferred the tray to my left hand and offered my right. “Yeah, that’s me. Rob, right?”

He shook my hand, nodding. “How’ve you been, man?”

“Uh…good. You’re back in Haverton?” Captain Obvious. I know.

Rob smiled and damn, he had a nice smile. It met his twinkling blue eyes and gave him a warm, welcoming aura. “Yeah, I’m in the midst of a career change. Football to bagels. I guess we’re neighbors.”

I nodded, letting my gaze wander over his massive shoulders and thick chest. His navy sweater stretched at the seams around his biceps. He’d definitely grown since college. His face had matured too. Baby fat and wispy facial hair had given way to sharp cheekbones and a beard Paul Bunyan would be proud of. Rob looked like what he was…a newly retired professional athlete in great shape, probably with plenty of money in the bank.

And in my red-checked shirt and stained apron while wielding a tray like a shield, it was fairly obvious that the past eight years hadn’t been as kind to me. Don’t get me wrong, I was proud to carry on the family business. I just hadn’t intended this to be my whole fucking life.

Bitter much?Ugh, that wasn’t a good look.

“I guess so,” I agreed. “Why bagels?”

“My grandfather had a bagel business in Philly. I loved that place. I have these amazing memories of shaping the dough and watching it rise in boiling water. He had classic flavors…plain, sesame, everything—and he made these incredible breakfast sandwiches. I was thinking about investing in someone else’s business, but when I heard about the candy shop closing, it was like a sign from above.” Rob grinned. “College kids love bagels. And pizza. I bet they’d love pizza bagels.”

Screech.

“Uh…come again?”

“My partner and I are gonna make savory bagels. Bagels with a twist. We’ll sprinkle those in with my grandpa’s tried and true recipes. Should be fun.” He glanced at his watch and tipped his chin. “Hey, I gotta run. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Just like old times.”

“Whoa. Wait up.” I held my hand like a stop sign and stepped into his space. Bad move. I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes now, and that was weird. I was six one—not exactly a small dude, but that asshole had sprouted at least another two inches since college. I’d bet he was six foot six. And yes, he was an asshole. I hadn’t thought so until a minute ago, but now… “You can’t sell pizza bagels next to a pizza parlor.”

“I can’t?”

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