She poked Cassidy in the shoulder. “Jesse likes you.”
“I just dropped the cookies off over there. He’s probably got a business question.”
“A chocolate chip emergency, for sure,” Marigold said, tapping into her phone. Cassidy’s phone dinged. “That’s his contact. Set it up so you’ll know who it is when he texts you.”
Cassidy unlocked her phone and handed it to Marigold. “We made the deal. A buck fifty a cookie.”
Marigold pecked into Cassidy’s phone. “I’m guessing he’d have done that deal at any cost.”
“How much weed have you been putting in the brownies around here? That young boy is not interested in my tired, old ass.”
“Your ass is outstanding, for the record, and he is so interested in you. He asked Dane if you were seeing anyone and what your orientation was.” Marigold handed Cassidy’s phone back to her.
“My orientation? He thought I was gay?”
“Or pan, or bi, or questioning, or whatever. It’s a legit question.”
“What’d Dane tell him?”
“That to his knowledge, you were full-on straight.” Marigold raised an eyebrow at her. “That was the correct answer, right?”
Cassidy rolled her eyes and checked the pans in the case to see what needed refilling.
“I don’t know why I never thought to put the two of you together before. You’re perfect for one another.”
Cassidy huffed a laugh. “You’ve definitely been putting too much pot in the brownies.”
“I’m serious. He’s hot as blazes. Have you ever seen him with his shirt off?”
Cassidy held out both hands to her sides. “When would I have seen that? When did you see that?” she asked, getting a little jealous.
“Remember, I told you Dane’s friend took us out on a boat a couple of weeks ago? That was him.”
Cassidy imagined Jesse in a pair of low-slung board shorts that hung below his belly button, his tattooed chest on full display. She had no idea if he had tattoos on his chest. She just hoped.
“Just the three of you?” Cassidy asked, not sure what she was doing…gauging to see if he had a girlfriend, possibly? Stop it, Cassidy.
“He brought his friend Gracie.”
“Ah.” Figured.
“They really are just friends. They sort of bickered like brother and sister all day, in a cute way. Not obnoxious.”
Cassidy combined a pan of muffins with a pan of cinnamon rolls. “That’s wonderful. I’m going to start the cheese straws.” Her phone dinged.
Marigold pointed at Cassidy’s phone on the counter. “It’s him, look!”
Cassidy glanced down at the phone, but it wasn’t as if she could read it without her glasses. Just another reminder that she was middle-aged. Her twenty-twenty vision had gone AWOL.
The bell on the door dinged, and Marigold engaged with the customer. Cassidy headed back to the kitchen with the empty pan, once again thanking her lucky stars that Marigold had come to work with her. The customers loved her. She’d gotten to know the regulars and helped to create new regulars. But Cassidy suspected she only had a few more months of Marigold working there. She and Desiree had been putting together pop-up art shows that were taking off quite nicely. Cassidy suspected within the year, Marigold would be doing that full-time, so she knew to enjoy Marigold’s company and stellar work ethic while it lasted.
Cassidy dropped the empty pan in the sink and then washed her hands, readying herself to start the cheese straws using puff pastry. She got it out of the refrigerator where it had been thawing, and was getting ready to go to work, but she hesitated, thinking about that message. He was a customer. There was nothing wrong with checking a text from a customer. She just wished this particular customer wasn’t hot as blazes.
She went back out front and grabbed her phone off the counter, trying to avoid Marigold’s knowing grin, but no such luck. Cassidy gave her a look as she headed back to the kitchen with her phone. She grabbed her pair of reading glasses from the top shelf above her workspace.
You forgot to tell me what you thought of the sour beer.
Cassidy dropped her phone onto the counter, staring at it like it had legs. Just answer the stupid text, she told herself.
She picked up the phone and thought hard, way too hard. She shook her head at herself and let out a deep breath, typing in the first thing she could think of.
Loved it.
She hit send and set the phone down. She stared at the dough in front of her for way too long. What had she been doing? The phone dinged again.
Your satisfaction is my number one priority.
Oh, Jesus Christ, she thought, but the smile on her face couldn’t be stopped. She typed back.
You’re my customer. Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?
A moment passed, then the ellipsis popped up, giving her the tiniest little tingle in her belly. Ridiculous.
I tried one of your cookies. I’m satisfied.
What a relief. I can sleep tight tonight.
She bit her lip as she waited for his response.
That’s good to know. Let me know if you ever have trouble sleeping. I can help out with that.
The double doors swung open. “So?” Marigold asked, her big eyes wide open. Cassidy fumbled with her phone and dropped it onto the floor. They both bent down at the same time to pick it up, Marigold staring at her neck. “Oh, my gosh. Look at you. You are totally blushing.”
Cassidy pocketed her phone and walked over to the sink to wash her hands again. “I’m not.”
“What did that text say?”
“Nothing. He just wanted to know if I liked this new beer he had me try out when I dropped off the cookies.”
“You had a beer with him?”
“Like two sips. We talked business the whole time.” Cassidy headed back over to the dough and got out her cutter.
“He is smoking hot. You should totally go there.”
“No way,” Cassidy said, setting down the knife. There was another step in this process. She just couldn’t think of it for the life of her.
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve got to do business with this man. I’m not sleeping with him. Besides, he’s like twenty.”
“He’s twenty-nine, for the record.”
Cassidy laughed out loud at this. After a second good look at him, she’d exaggerated his age in her imagination from twenty-five to early thirties, only to justify her own attraction to him. Knowing now he was still in his twenties, she felt silly.
Marigold put her hands on her hips. “What is so freaking funny?”
“He’s a child, Marigold.”
“He’s like my age.”
“Exactly. You’re like a niece to me.”
“That man is not your nephew. He’s a super-hot, young guy who’s interested. Let him take you out.”
“It’s not like he’s asking.” Her phone dinged on cue.
“Check it!” Marigold pointed at Cassidy’s pocket like it was on fire.
Cassidy let her head drop to the side. “Will you please chill out?”
“Not until you read that message.” She held up both hands and headed out front. “I won’t even look over your shoulder.”
The bell on the front door dinged, and Marigold greeted the customer, leaving Cassidy alone with her phone. She pulled it out of her pocket and was really irritated at the letdown she felt when it was Maya’s name across the screen and not Jesse’s. On any other day, seeing Maya’s name on her phone would have lifted her up.
Party time! Please join Bo and me Saturday night for a barbecue, weather permitting. If it doesn’t cooperate, we’ll head inside for a cozy but fun time anyway! See you at five. Bring nothing but your lovely selves.
Cassidy heaved a sigh and headed back to her dough, trying to decide what dessert she would bring. But as she sprinkled cheese and twisted dough, all she could think about was the tattooed man across town at his bar, offering to wear her out until she wa
s sated and sleepy…at least that was what she dreamed he was implying.
4
The doorbell rang and Cassidy called, “Coming!” She hadn’t left enough time to do much with her wild and wavy hair, but unless she pulled it straight there wasn’t much to be done there. Besides, it was just her regular crew tonight at Bo and Maya’s house. They all liked her despite her out-of-control hair, thank goodness.
She flipped off light switches and headed that way, grabbing her small purse on the way out. “Long time no see,” she said to Marigold, who she’d just left at the shop an hour ago.
“Sick of me yet?” Marigold asked.
Cassidy gave her a smile. “Never.”
As they approached the SUV, Cassidy waved at Dane who was in the driver’s seat. “Dane’s gonna be DD tonight, bless him,” Marigold said.
“Good guy you’ve got there.”
“Oh,” Marigold said. “We’re picking up Shayla and Chase in Seagrove, so would you mind scooting to the way way back when you get in?”
“Of course not.”
Cassidy opened the door and stilled. Jesse sat in the third row with a sideways grin on his face, giving her stomach a little flip.
“I don’t bite…unless requested,” he said.
She tried futilely to cool her heated cheeks as she climbed through the seats and swung her behind past him to get settled in beside him. “I didn’t see your name on the group text invite.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You were looking for it?”
Cassidy buckled in for the ride. “I was just checking the guest list. Not for anyone in particular.”
“Everyone settled?” Marigold asked.
“All set,” Jesse said.
Marigold cut a quick glance at Cassidy with a grin. Cassidy would strangle her for this later.
“I saw Bo at his shop on Thursday,” Jesse said. “He sold me a paddleboard and invited me to come tonight.”
“How hospitable of him. How’s the board?”
“Haven’t been out yet. Waiting on Mother Nature to bring the heat.”
She nodded and checked her purse to make sure she’d brought her phone. Not that she needed it for anything. “How are the cookies selling?”
“You’d know if you delivered them in person. I haven’t seen you all week.”
As much as Cassidy had wanted to see him, she had avoided his bar like the plague. That last text he’d sent was too tempting, and she had been getting too close to taking him up on his offer. She’d texted him the next day letting him know in a purely professional tone not to stop by for the cookies, and that Seaside Sweets would deliver them daily. “Something wrong with Marigold’s delivery services?”
“She’s fantastic, but she’s taken.”
“And your delivery person needs to be single?”
“I don’t know. Would that qualify you?”
She looked out the window, tamping down her smile, or trying to.
His phone dinged, and he read a text and then typed back. The exchange went on for a few minutes, keeping her guessing. He put the phone face down on his knee and glanced over at her.
She pulled her hair back out of her face and stared out the window at the passing condos and restaurants of 30A.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said.
“You got busy.” She indicated the phone on his knee.
“Work.”
“Ah,” she said, raising her eyebrow.
“I’m serious. It was work.”
“Okay,” she said.
He poked her in the leg. “Jealous?”
Despite the frenzy in her stomach from his touch, she slid him a look, and then put her attention back on the road.
“I’m a hundred percent single, if anyone’s curious,” he said.
“How wonderful for you.”
“And you?” he asked.
She let out a sigh and kept her eyes on the road.
“Tell me your story. Have you ever been married?”
She gave him her attention. “No.”
Both of his eyebrows went up. “Really?”
She shrugged. “Yeah. What’s so shocking about that?”
He offered a hand toward her. “It’s just hard to believe some guy didn’t snatch you up.”
“Well, I’m not a television at Walmart on Black Friday.”
He smiled and then looked out his window. They pulled down Chase and Shayla’s wooded street and then into their driveway. “Nice house,” Jesse said.
“You should see the pool and outdoor kitchen in the back. Where do you live?” Cassidy asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
His cheeks turned pink. “Above my bar,” he said, his voice losing its confidence and bravado. “I bought the whole space.”
“Wow,” she said. “That’s all yours? The bar and the space above it?” She may have been overdoing it a little, but he seemed like he could use the ego boost. Chase’s house was impressive, but Chase was also a millionaire many times over.
Jesse cut his eyes at her. “You can stop pretending to be impressed any time now.”
“I wasn’t—”
The door opened and Chase’s voice boomed into the small space. “Hey friends. Who’s ready for some barbecue?”
Shayla slapped his butt which was up in her face as he climbed over to the seat on the far side. “We’re not having actual barbecue. We’re grilling.”
“If it’s meat I’m eating it.” He held out his big hand to Jesse. “Chase O’Neil. I know you, don’t I?”
“The Bohemian Guppy. Jesse Kirby.”
“Of course. You were out of context for a second, but I’m tracking now.” He glanced between Cassidy and him, and she realized he was thinking they were on a date. She sunk down in her seat a little.
Jesse glanced at her, and then back at Chase. “I bought a paddleboard from Bo a couple of days ago and he invited me. Dane was kind enough to give me a ride.”
“Ah,” Chase said, seeming only partially satisfied with the answer.
Chase turned around to say something to Dane and Marigold, and Cassidy slid Jesse a small smile. Jesse gave her a little shrug and then checked his phone.
Shayla peered over the seat. “Hey girl.”
Cassidy took Shayla’s hand and squeezed it. “Hey yourself.”
Shayla turned to Jesse. “I’m Shayla. I’m Bo’s sister.” She held out her hand to him.
He shook it. “I see the resemblance.”
“I won’t hold that comment against you,” Shayla said with a cute smile, and then gave her attention to Chase, who started a story that blessedly went on for miles. Cassidy got lost in the trees flashing by her on Highway 98 as Jesse flipped through his phone.
* * *
Jesse watched Cassidy from across the room, engaged in conversation with Maya, who was Bo’s wife. She hadn’t been left alone a moment the whole night. When someone was lucky enough to engage her in a one-on-one, they always looked a little disappointed when someone else came up. He’d come to Bo’s party understanding that he wouldn’t know many people, and also knowing it’d be mostly couples. He was willing to make that sacrifice for a shot at getting to know Cassidy better, but he couldn’t get near her.
The guys of the group had been beyond kind, engaging him in conversation, asking about his bar and everything else they could think of, making a true effort to include him in this group of clearly tight-knit friends. But Jesse couldn’t keep his mind or his eyes off Cassidy.
Jesse stood near the sliding glass door, pretending to admire a grouping of photographic art, signed by Ashe Bianchi, who Jesse knew to be dating Dane’s twin brother Ethan. There were so many layers to this friend group his buddy Dane was becoming a part of. Shayla joined the conversation with Cassidy and her friends, and Cassidy finally met Jesse’s glance for the first time all night. He held it, not willing to let her off the hook. She gave him the smallest hint of a smile that boosted his mood tremendously. A moment later, she met his gaze agai
n, pumping his confidence enough for him to make his move. He nodded toward the sliding glass door, and then went outside, hoping like hell she’d follow him. As the sliding glass door opened, he held his breath until he saw her slide through and glance around the yard.
“Hey,” he said, his voice coming out lower than he intended.
She turned to meet his gaze, and then slid the door closed and stepped over to where he was standing. “How are you holding up?” she asked. “They were grilling you pretty hard earlier.”
“I’m all good. They’re nice guys.”
She nodded. “That they are.”
“You’re popular with this group. They all can’t seem to get enough of you.”
She waved him off. “I’m the new toy. I’ve been gone a couple of months. They’ll get sick of me soon.”
“Do you ever take a compliment?” he asked.
“Sure, if you want to tell me you like my shirt or my hair.”
He took a chance and touched her hair, playing with it a little. “I like your hair.”
Her cheeks went pink as she tugged at a strand. “It’s sort of got a life of its own.”
He let go of the strand he was messing with, and she brushed her hair back out of her face, but it just sprung right back into place. God, he could kiss her right now, but he knew better.
She glanced around the backyard. “I know we’re just getting air, but it feels like we’re doing something sinister out here.”
Oh, the ways he could respond to that. “Maybe it’s the stormy sky.” They both looked up at it, the dark clouds moving in opposite directions, stirring up trouble.
She met his gaze. “I don’t know if I can put the blame on it.”
“You think I’m the one making it menacing out here?”
She smiled at him, heating up his body temperature despite the cool breeze. “You’re definitely trouble."
“I wouldn’t mind being in trouble with you.”
She grinned, looking down at the ground, and he mentally gave himself a point, hoping he could keep walking this tightrope without falling on his ass.
“How about it, Cassidy? Wanna get into some trouble with me tonight?”
She narrowed her gaze making his heart speed up. “One of these days I’m going to take you up on your offers…see if you’ll actually follow through on them.”
Grayton Beach Dreams Page 3
