Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
A beat later, Letty heads to the kitchen, and Kenna starts on the specials board. The only left for me to do is get to baking.
I knead more dough as the morning rush hits, elbow-deep in flour and yeast, and thinking about Joaquin. Goodness, but that guy is sexy as fuck, and all I want right now is him, spending time with him so he can fill me up, make me feel good like only he can.
“Who’s making you smile like that?” Letty asks with a teasing grin on her face.
I let out a sigh that sounds suspiciously like a swoon and look up at Letty. “Joaquin, of course.”
“You guys have something going on?”
“Sort of. I don’t know if it’s official or anything, but I’m hopeful.” The timer sounds before I can say more, so I put hot loaves fresh from the oven on cooling racks and move the cool ones to the display cases in front.
“Just in time,” Kenna says and winks at one of the older regulars. “Bobby here was just asking about those honey wheat loaves. He loves a deal.”
“I use one of those old-fashioned bread boxes. That’s my secret for fresh bread,” he reveals with a smile.
I glance over Bobby’s shoulder and spot Ruby outside the shop. She smiles up at Stone like he’s her favorite treat and rests one hand on his biceps in a casually flirty gesture. The way he’s eyeing her curves, I think Stone might be interested, but that guy keeps his emotions locked up tight, so his real feelings are anyone’s guess.
Ruby gives him a sexy little finger wave and finally makes her way inside. She sees me and freezes, laughing out loud, when she realizes I caught her flirting.
“Sorry, not sorry,” she says to me. She knows I’m not Judy Judger. “That guy is hot sex on a really big stick.” She fans her face and orders an iced tea. “You have time to talk?”
I nod toward one of the empty tables and meet her there with iced tea and a scone. “So you’re interested in Stone?”
“Look at him, girl. What’s there not to be interested in? I don’t know him, but I’m planning to change that. I’ll get to know him and see what happens. You know how it is. You keep kissing and having fun until you find the kiss that catches your panties on fire.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Joaquin is a good kisser, but he didn’t inspire my inner slut.”
I frown. “You kissed Joaquin?” I tamp down my need to slap a bitch, but I remind myself not to fuck up Maven’s business. Ruby’s here to do me a favor.
She nods and waves a dismissive hand in my direction. “It was just a little bit of drunken flirting back when Kelsey and Coop were skirting around each other. Put your claws away, honey. I’m looking to climb that tower of Texas, not your man.”
“Good, because I would really hate to have to bitch-slap you right now,” I tell her, only half-joking.
“Chill, Willow. I have no use for Joaquin,” she says so confidently I feel an instant sense of relief. I’d hate to have to throw punches over a man, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
“Okay,” I sigh and push the scone in her direction. “Sorry. And thanks for coming in to help.”
“Of course. I took the liberty of checking out the website. Your biggest problem is your lack of an online presence. Social media is cheap and in many cases, free. It’s a good way to get people in for daily specials. Think of Taco Tuesdays, but for this place. Blast it out first thing in the morning and watch the customers come rushing in to scoop up the specials.”
“Is it really as simple as that?”
“No, but it’s a good place to start.” She glances down at her watch and sighs. “I have to get back for a meeting.” Then she picks up the scone and tea and leaves with a “See ya soon!”
“Thanks again!” I return to the kitchen to find that most of the stock is gone. “That’s good news, even if it means more work for us,” I tell Letty.
“All the ovens are full,” she assures me with a smile. “So we should be good if we keep going.”
I nod and weigh more flour, butter, and sugar, trying like hell to shove thoughts of Ruby and Joaquin kissing out of my mind. She doesn’t want him, so there’s nothing to worry about, at least on the Ruby front.
“Dammit,” I growl in frustration because I know it’s not just Ruby I have to worry about. Joaquin is hot and newly patched. He’s a hot ticket, period.
“Trouble in paradise so soon?” Letty asks.
“No,” I sigh. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with us. I like him, and I love fucking him, but he’s young. He probably wants to stick his dick in everything in LA County before he settles down.”