Page 54 of Knot So Sweet
"What can I get you?" Garrick asks in a neutral tone, despite the tension radiating from his large frame.
I watch him work, remembering how those hands felt on my skin yesterday. How his scent wrapped around me until I couldn't breathe. How he looked at me like I was something precious.
This morning he won't even meet my eyes.
"I want the sourdough bread mentioned in a Tok," one tourist says. "Something about a three-day fermentation process that creates 'layers of complexity that speak to both tradition and innovation'?"
Garrick's eye twitches at the description. But he answers politely, slices the bread with controlled precision instead of the violent force from earlier.
He's not angry at the customers. Just at me.
I turn back to my laptop, but I can't focus. My phone has been buzzing nonstop with emails and messages. Three more businesses want features. A coffee shop in Millfield wants to capitalize on the tourism uptick.
For the first time in months, I'm successful and productive. I'm earning real money.
But Garrick won't look at me.
A text from Xaden appears: Ready to make me famous too? The restaurant could use some of the magic you worked on Garrick's place. When can we talk?
Magic. Right. Whatever magic I had with Garrick apparently expired overnight.
I'm drafting a reply when Liam's clean cotton and chamomile scent threads through the bakery. He's happy about something, pushing through the crowd with easy grace until his amber eyes land on me.
The smile spreading across his face is radiant.
"Violet!" He weaves between tables. "I have news!"
Before I can ask, he's reached my booth and I'm standing up, caught in his enthusiasm. His scent wraps around me like a warm hug.
Without thinking, I lean up and press a quick kiss to his cheek in greeting. The same way I've been greeting Liam for weeks now. Casual. Friendly.
The moment my lips touch his skin, everything shifts.
From behind the counter, a sharp spike of cinnamon and cardamom. Garrick's scent goes nuclear with something that smells suspiciously like jealousy.
I pull back from Liam, confused. Garrick gets to give me the cold shoulder all morning, but I can't greet Liam the way I always do?
"What's going on?" I ask Liam, settling back into the booth while hyperaware of Garrick's sudden attention burning into my back.
Now he notices me. Now he cares.
Liam slides into the seat across from me. "Your car. Tom called. Dolly's repairs are paid in full and she's ready to go."
My brain stutters. “Paid in full? Dolly's fixed?"
“We took care of it, don’t worry about it,” he says casually. “New radiator, oil change, tune-up, the works. She's running better than she has in years."
I can leave. Continue to Texas, to whatever uncertain future awaits.
Except I don't want to leave.
I don't want to leave Garrick, even though he spent this morning treating me like a stranger. Even though something changed overnight and he won't tell me what.
"That's..." I start, then stop. "I've got so much work here. Three more businesses want features, plus Xaden's restaurant. I'm finally making real money."
True. But also an excuse to avoid admitting I've fallen for a grumpy alpha baker who's suddenly decided I don't exist.
"So business is booming?" Liam's smile brightens.
