by C. A. Harms
I heard the scuffle of boots against the asphalt and turned to see Ryan standing only a few feet away. “Heading to the bakery, huh?” he asked, staring at Stacey with narrowed eyes. “I was heading there myself to pick up Liv and see my wife.”
“Your wife, um…” Stacey wrinkled her eyes. “Oh yeah, Amber, right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “She owns it.”
“And the other woman that I see there sometimes?” Stacey asked him.
My heart was beating heavily, and my stomach felt sick.
“Depends on which one. There are two,” Ryan replied.
I wasn’t dumb. I knew Stacey was fishing for information.
“Well, I’ve seen a taller blonde girl there more often than any other. But now that you mentioned it, I have seen a brunette a couple times too.” Stacey then turned the conversation to me. “The brunette is that friend of yours Austin and I saw you with on that first night, right?”
“Alena,” I added, and the burn that had been filling my chest rose up into my throat.
“Yeah, Noah’s friend,” Ryan said as he flipped his keys in the air, making them land back into his palm with a jingle. “I guess I’ll see you all there in a bit.”
He pointed toward Austin, and for the first time since he walked up, Ryan’s lips turned up in a smile. “I’ll have your aunt get a warm brownie ready for you.”
Austin bounced excitedly and began to stand up on the tailgate. Both Stacey and I reached for him at the same time, and we ended up intertwined with Austin sandwiched in the middle.
I looked at her, she looked at me, and in that moment my stomach hit the fucking ground. Ryan was right. She was playing me.
Chapter Seven
Alena
“Oh my God, Hayden, this place looks great,” I said in amazement as I stood in the center of the store, looking around at each colorful wall filled with shelving and fancy little displays.
Hayden had been my savior over the last four days. He showed up with a small crew, and in less than three days, they had the place painted. One day after that, all the displays were up and ready to be filled.
“I’m glad you agree, because the shipment truck should be here at noon. It’s time to start stocking this place with all kinds of goodies.” He winked and walked around the edge of the counter toward me. As he stepped up to my side, he wrapped an arm over my shoulder. “That country boy that’s playing with my girl’s emotions will be an afterthought once you open this place. You are going to be amazing, and he is gonna regret not snatching you up.”
I swallowed past the lump that had formed in my throat from his words.
Over the last few days, Hayden had heard his fair share of Noah stories. I went from a sappy, lovesick girl, to an angry, bitter bitch, to my current state. And now I was confident and determined to make Sassy Ladies a hit. I also knew my newfound confidence had everything to do with Hayden’s take-no-mercy attitude. My biggest fear was that the confidence he’d brought out in me would leave with him in a few days when he left to go on his next adventure.
“So I was thinking since I’ve been slaving away—” he started, and I tilted my head and looked up at him. He offered me a smile and wink before continuing, “—what do you think the chances are of getting us some heavenly sweets from Amber?”
I laughed and nudged him with my hip. Hayden is over six feet tall and has the slim figure and apple butt most women would die for. Only he ate more junk than anyone I knew and had practically lived off Amber’s sweets since he arrived. Even in the middle of the night, I’d caught him hovering over an open container of the cookies or treats she had packed up for him each day before she closed the bakery. He was addicted.
“I think Amber would be offended if I didn’t get you your daily fix,” I replied as I pushed him away when he started squealing. He was such a spaz, but I loved his energy. He always made me feel better.
“I’ll be right back, you sugar whore,” I said as I waved over my shoulder while walking out the front door.
“Don’t forget to grab a drink too. I’m out,” he yelled as I stepped down from the curb and began walking across the street.
A few townspeople offered a smile and a wave as I passed. I hadn’t really paid that much attention to the vehicles lining the street, but when I pushed through the front door of Heavenly Temptations, I froze instantly. I had to blink a couple times to make sure I wasn’t imagining the scene before me.
I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach as I watched Stacey laughing as she looked at Noah, who held Austin on his knee. Noah’s back was to me, but there was no mistaking him. He still wore his officer uniform, and his body dwarfed the small chair he sat in.
I looked back toward Stacey and found she was looking over Noah’s shoulder directly at me. At first I was shocked, but I quickly recovered. Squaring my shoulders, I looked toward the counter and found that Ryan, Amber, and Olivia were watching me too.
I forced a smile and walked toward them, doing my best to not look back at Noah and his new little family. Evasive was what I was shooting for. “Hayden sent me over for his daily fix.” I forced a smile as I stepped around the end of the counter. “So if you would pack him up his usual, I need to run upstairs and grab a couple drinks.”
I continued past the three of them as they stared after me in silence. I pushed through the back door and practically jogged for the stairway that would take me up to my apartment. Once I was safely tucked inside, I leaned back against the door, taking in a calming breath. I hadn’t expected to walk in and find Stacey here, especially not looking so stunning.
The door moved against my back, and I jumped forward as it came open and Amber stepped inside. “Hey,” I said in a rush as I quickly walked toward the refrigerator, pretending she hadn’t just caught me in a moment of weakness.
“Alena,” Amber began as she followed me.
I just wanted to get what I came for and go back to the safety of my store. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I told her as I grabbed the water from the fridge and walked around her.
“He’s just—”
I held my hand up to stop her. “Honestly, Am, just let it go. It’s not my business. We went on a few dates, shared a few kisses. Doesn’t give me any rights to him. I think it’s great he’s getting to know his son. He deserves that. Please, just let the rest go.”
When she offered me a nod, I bit my lip and moved toward the stairs and back toward the bakery’s kitchen. When I reached the swinging doors that led to the front of the bakery, I squared my shoulders and pushed through. Without looking in Noah’s direction, I painted on a smile and put forward my best I-am-fine attitude.
“Hey, Liv, you got my goodies?” I asked Olivia as she shut the lid on the box I knew was meant for Hayden.
“Right here,” she announced a little too loud. I held my breath as I heard the chair to my left squeak against the floor. I saw movement from the corner of my eye, yet I kept my body facing forward.
“Thank you, darlin’,” I said in my best imitation of a country-girl accent. I felt Noah’s presence at my side, but I continued to act as if he had no effect on me. “You should come over later today and look through the items Hayden and I have coming in. I’m more than positive we can put a big ol’ dent in your dad’s paycheck.”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. Amber had gone on and on about her new daughter’s shopping addiction, and I had no doubt this sweet girl would be one of my best customers.
“I’ll be there after three,” Olivia said as she looked over at her father with a gleam in her eyes. Ryan groaned, and it triggered a laugh from me.
“You get my text earlier?” Noah’s deep, rumbling voice broke through my laughter, and I turned quickly to face him. “I was hoping you were free tonight.”
Just over his shoulder, I could see Stacey watching us closely. Her eyes were narrowed in obvious distaste.
“No, I hadn’t looked at my phone. But to answer your question, I’ve got plans.” I
took the box Olivia was holding. “See ya later, Liv. I laid out some things I think you’ll love.” I winked at her as I stepped back and put some space between Noah and myself. “Have a good night, Noah.”
I turned toward the door and began walking away without looking back.
By the time I had made it across the street and back inside the store, my confident attitude had crashed and burned. I had a knot in my stomach that made me feel like at any moment I would be running for the bathroom.
Chapter Eight
Noah
“Do you wanna stay for dinner?” Stacey asked as she leaned over, pretending to adjust her shoe. I knew she was trying to give me a view down the front of her shirt, but I wasn’t falling for it. I kept my eyes on hers instead.
“No, I’m planning on getting Austin tomorrow. I got the day off, and I’m gonna take him to the ranch again. Tonight I have somewhere to be, though.”
I stepped back and turned to walk down her parent’s porch steps.
“Oh, well, I just thought since your friend wasn’t available, you would want to stay and have dinner with us.” Stacey’s voice was sugary-sweet, yet laced with contempt. “Austin would love to have you stay.”
It was a low blow, but that was the kind of person Stacey was.
“I already talked to Austin, and like I said, I have plans.” I opened my truck door, paused, and looked back over my shoulder. “You do understand there ain’t a chance for you and me, right? Because I’m sensing you think this is all a game.”
“I’m just trying to keep the peace, Noah. For Austin. It’s good for him to see us getting along.”
She shrugged innocently, but I could see right through it. I chose to ignore it, though, because fighting with her would solve nothing. Until I could get an attorney to check into my options and make the chances of Stacey skipping town with Austin impossible, I had to maintain the peace.
“I’ll pick him up around ten in the morning,” I said as I climbed into my truck and shut the door, giving her no chance to argue.
I knew she would try to wheedle her way into our day tomorrow, but it would only be Austin and me. Stacey would have to entertain herself.
***
It was dark as I drove down Main Street, but the lights that were still on in the store across the street highlighted the road. Most places were closed by this time, but I knew Alena was in the process of getting her new shop ready. Ryan and Amber had filled me in on the details after she left the bakery earlier.
I’d be lying if I said her brush-off didn’t hit me low in the stomach. But she had every right to push me away. I hadn’t been the kind of guy she deserves lately. But I was hoping after we got the chance to talk, I may be able to change her mind about that.
I slowed to a stop in front of the store and smiled up at the bright teal sign still lit up just above the door. Sassy Ladies seemed fitting.
I sat in the darkness of my truck and watched through the front windows as Amber, Bailey, and some guy with jet-black hair unloaded boxes and placed the contents throughout the store. When Alena stepped up to the guy’s side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, my stomach dropped. I knew he was a friend of hers from Chicago and he was in town helping her get the store ready to open, but I knew nothing more. But when he leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead, I was reaching for my door handle without a second thought. I had gotten out of my truck and was pushing through the front entrance before I had time to think about it.
All heads turned in my direction, but the guy just smirked at me. The hair I thought was jet-black was actually blond with black tips. He wore the tightest pair of shiny, black pants I had ever seen.
“Well, you must be the asshole that doesn’t know a good thing when it’s dry-humping him against the side of his truck,” the guy said with a smirk. I just looked back at him and blinked. I knew in that moment I had absolutely no reason to feel threatened by his closeness with Alena.
“Hayden,” Alena said as she gave him a glare and shoved him.
“What? This is Noah, right? Because I’ve met Jackson and Ryan already, and he looks a lot like those Sawyer brothers. So I’m just assuming he’s the guy that’s responsible for your moodiness.”
Alena hung her head, trying her best to hide her embarrassment. Amber and Bailey both just smiled at Hayden. They were obviously amused by his attitude toward me. But he was right. I was that asshole.
“Yeah, I’m Noah. And I’m also the asshole that’s here to beg for five minutes of Alena’s time,” I offered as my gaze connected with Alena as she looked up at me.
“Five minutes,” Hayden humphed. “That’s all it takes. Well, it’s hardly worth the time.”
I looked up just in time to catch the look of discomfort on his face when Alena pinched his side. “Stop it,” she growled.
Bailey laughed and then covered her mouth a second too late, making it turn into a snort. Suddenly, everyone else was giggling while Alena and I just stared at each other. Her expression was unreadable.
“Please?” I asked, and she stood just a little taller. She was attempting to show that confidence she always tried to portray. There was still so much I didn’t know about Alena, but I knew she was not as unbreakable as she tried to appear. She had a fearful side that made her want to hold back, and I was only making things worse by allowing Stacey to hold Austin over my head. I had to find a way to show my ex that she no longer held the winning hand.
“I guess I have a few minutes, but I still have a lot to do here.” Alena stepped toward me.
“Take your time, really, we got this,” Amber yelled after us as we began to walk outside. I couldn’t help smiling on the inside as Alena shot her a death glare. I suddenly was even more aware of why my brother was so in love her.
Once Alena and I were outside and finally alone, I had no idea what I should say. One look at her and I was at a loss. I wanted to kiss her, yet I knew at this point that would only get me slapped.
“So should I start the five minute countdown now, or…?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. She was sassy and damn cute. “You really gonna hold me to that five minutes?” I asked.
Alena shrugged. “Don’t know. Depends on where this conversation is heading. I mean, if you’ve shown up here tonight to tell me all about the rekindled love you found with Stacey, I may have to cut the five minutes a little shorter.”
If she’d chosen to punch me, I’m sure it would have hurt less than what she’d just said. I just shook my head in disbelief. “Why the hell do people keep saying shit like that?” I said as I took a step closer to her. “There is not now, nor will there ever be a rekindled anything between Stacey and me.”
She arched an eyebrow at me, and I hooked my arm around her waist and pulled her closer. When she looked up at me, it was almost impossible not to lean forward and kiss her. “I know I sorta flaked out on you. But never once have I considered letting go of what we started to build. I just got shit to figure out when it comes to Austin. Stacey could just pick up and head back to L.A., or anywhere else for that matter, and I would lose him again.” My throat felt like it was on fire as I said the words.
“I got a lawyer working on everything, but I have to be careful not to give her a reason to make this harder. Right now, she’s letting me see him anytime I want. And, Alena, I ain’t a dumb man. I know part of the reason is because in her warped mind, she thinks her and I have a future.”
She instantly averted her eyes from mine and focused on my chest instead.
“That ain’t gonna happen. I’m telling you that in true honesty. I just can’t lose him after I just got him.” I felt raw, and tears filled my eyes at just the idea of Austin not being here with me.
I closed my eyes the moment Alena’s fingers touched my jaw, silently praying she would understand the shit-storm my life had been the last couple weeks. “I never intended to make you think I didn’t want anything with you. I just don’t know how to balance it all out yet.”
I opened my eyes and found her looking up at me with a different expression than the hurt one she wore less than five minutes ago. “I’m sorry, Alena. This was not what I envisioned happening after I decided I could no longer stay away from you. I had all kinds of other things rolling through my mind, but never did one of those thoughts entail me apologizing for spending too little time with you.”
“It’s okay. I can’t imagine feeling the kind of fear you are,” Alena’s whispered, looking down as she toyed with the hem of my shirt. I don’t even know if she realized she was doing it, but it actually had a calming effect on me. “But just know that I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
When I didn’t answer, she tilted her head upward and our line of vision collided. Without a second thought, I lowered my head and placed my lips against hers, and she instantly melted against me.
I had missed kissing her, and I could feel myself getting carried away as I turned her toward the building and pressed her against the wall. Molding my body against hers, I swiped my tongue across her lower lip, and she gasped. I took it as my chance to go further and licked along the tip of her tongue, then sucked on her lower lip as I pulled back.
“I want more than just a friend I can talk to. I want it all. I just need a little more time to assure Stacey can’t take him from me.” I grazed her lower lip with my thumb. “I promise to be better about the communication side of things, though. There really is no excuse for that.”
Alena nodded as she placed a soft kiss against my thumb. “Okay,” she whispered, and just like that, the tension I’d held in my body since I saw Hayden kiss her forehead slowly faded away.
“I know you have a lot to do here to get things ready, but do you care if I hang out too?” I added a slight pout to my words, and it appeared to be quite effective.
“Sure.” She shrugged as she took my hand in hers and dragged me off toward the front entrance.
