Page 132 of Sweet Hate
Me
Axel
Harsh. Meet me outside the bakery at six.
“Well now, I don’t remember the last time I saw you smile this wide. What’s got you so happy, Havey?”
Grams beams at me from across the kitchen counter as I look up from my phone.
“Oh, it’s nothing, Grams.”
“Sure don’t look like nothin,’ darlin.” She’s onto me. I’ve never been able to hide anything from this woman, but I really don’t want to tell her too much about Axel. Although he’s clearly not gotten that memo if yesterday was anything to go by.
He took my rules, threw them in the trash, and then set the trash can on fire when he kissed me like that in front of his entire crew. Not to mention the very quick and dirty office fuck. I couldn't get him out of my mind the entire night, the girls having to repeat shit two or three times before their words registered. I really wanted to call him when I got home, but I didn’t want to disturb him at work again. I miss him. I loved the way he grabbed me and claimed me in front of his crew.
I probably shouldn’t be thinking about that while I’m sitting in Grams’s kitchen.
“Haven Blake, you’re blushing. Is it because of a certain lieutenant by any chance?”
“What? No!” I jerk upright so fast I almost topple off the stool, like some twenty first century Humpty Dumpty.
I’m not entirely sure all the king's horses could put me back together again either, with this dangerous game I’m playing.
“It’s cute you think you can lie to your old grandmother. I can read you like the large print edition of my steamy romance novel. Plus, people talk. I heard all about a certain night out at Jett’s.”
Well, bollocks.
I’m not even sure what to unpack and address first. The steamy romances she’s reading, or that everyone’s talking about the flippin kiss.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, Grams. Honestly.” I’m shaking my head like a bobblehead. I don’t think I’m convincing either of us, though.
“I’m not entirely sure there are too many ways to interpret my granddaughter having her tongue in the hunky fireman’s mouth. I might be old, but I’m not senile.”
“Ughhhhh, fine. That was only supposed to be a favor to get rid of some cougar who wouldn’t leave him alone. But we’ve been seeing each other a little. But it’scasual, Grams. Really casual. And only for six weeks.”
“Haven Blake, that boy has been gone for you since you were kids. I’m not entirely sure what game the two of you are playing, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before he treats anything with youcasual.” She spits the word like it’s a piece of shit on her shoe while she glares at me with her arms crossed.
How is it possible that I’m a grown ass woman who accidentally set fire to her bakery, and it’s only now that I feel like I’ve been scolded like a naughty child?
I tamp down on the urge to snap back. It doesn’t matter that the truth is on my side. We did agree to only six weeks and…well, technically, I guess it’s four now.
I’m a little more concerned about the tiny flame of hope that’s struck up like a match inside me at her words. I want to ask her what she means.
Does she mean romantically?Pretty sure she does.
Do I want her to mean that?I’m pretty sure I do.
Shit.
What does that mean for me?
Am I falling for my best friend?
We’re supposed to keep things casual but the things he makes me feel are the direct opposite and that terrifies me.
He isn’t the same guy I grew up with. He’s got a reputation as the town playboy. What if he gets bored and decides to move on? Ghosts me again? Or worse still, cheats on me like my dickhead ex did. He could so easily do that. It’s not like he doesn’t have options.
