Zeke had gotten to his feet and held his hand down to me. I frowned but put my hand in his letting him help me up. Then we stood there in uncomfortable silence before I finally cleared my throat and said quietly as I watched Jordy wiping the booth on Zeke’s side, “Uh, I can go ahead and take your order and put it in a to-go carton since I’m sure I’ve wasted your time. And again, it’s on me.” I looked up at Zeke and couldn’t help thinking that half grins were now my new religion.

“It’s okay. My class isn’t until ten, so I’ll stay. I’ll take two pastries and a refill on the water.” Full-on grin now. Hell, forget about the half grin. Full-on grins were now what I’d worship forever. Gah.

Jordy finished and walked away but not before winking at me, the little twerp. He was sixteen, Mae and Dale’s grandson, and had had a crush on me for some time now. I knew this because he’d asked me out several times not caring that there was an almost nine-year difference in our ages. I’d laughed when he’d told me, and I quote, “May-December romances fuckin’ rock, Scarlett.” I had to give the kid props for even knowing what that was.

“Okay, I’ll, uh, be right back with your pastries and a new water,” I said to Zeke, not a little flustered, and grabbing up the coffee pot I’d put on his table, headed back to the counter.

“What the hell, Scar?” Jayla said when I walked behind the counter, grabbed a glass and bent to scoop some ice into it. “It looked like you were giving the guy a blowjob from here.” She snorted then continued helping the customer at the register. See? No freakin’ filter on that mouth of hers.

I grabbed the tongs and slid the door open in the glass case where the pastries were, picking up a couple to place on a plate. When the customer left, I answered, “Oh, you caught that? Let me just say he thoroughly enjoyed himself. And he tastes yum! Spitters are quitters, you know!” I gave her a look. “Embarrassed enough here, Jay. I don’t need you adding to it.”

She chuckled. “Now that’s how to get a guy’s attention. Good job!” I turned and gave her a droll look which made her laugh. “Why don’t you pour some hot coffee on him next? He just might propose.” She let out her trademark cackle that sounded like a donkey dying.

After shooting her another dirty look which made her bray even more, I came out from behind the counter heading toward Zeke’s table, then carefully set his water down and placed the plate of pastries in front of him. “I’ll be back with coffee.” I turned quickly and went back to the counter, grabbing a fresh pot then went back to his table.

“Uh, may I?” he asked, nodding at the coffee pot with a grin.

“Sure,” I answered, the blush hitting my face again as I set the pot on his table, handle toward him, now annoyed. Great. He didn’t trust me to pour his coffee. I watched as he filled his mug then after he’d set the pot down inquired, “Can I get you anything else?” I smiled sweetly at him, not really meaning it as I picked up the coffee pot.

“Yes, you can,” he replied. I stood there impatiently waiting for him to tell me what he needed watching as he put a teaspoon of sugar into his coffee and stirred it. When he finished, he took a sip then glanced up at me. “How about your number?”





*Week One—2nd Encounter*





No, no, no, no, no! Why was this happening now? No guy had asked for my number in over two years! I’d had a couple flirt some with me but that had been it (and Jayla of course had made sure to gripe me out for not giving them the time of day), but I’m pretty sure they’d picked up on my “I’m not available” vibe, aka my total, “Ask me out and I’ll make you regret it” aura.

But Zeke hadn’t or he had and just didn’t care.

I mean, I was busy not only working two jobs, but also on getting my business management degree at Hallervan University in Seattle so I could open a bakery eventually. I planned to work out of my home at first, hopefully gaining customers through a website, and Mae and Dale said they’d sell my baked goodies in the restaurant and continue to do so once I got things up and running! Then they’d offered to go in as partners once I was ready to open my own place. God, I loved them! So that was my life right now and I didn’t have time for anything outside of it, especially dating. And dating someone like Zeke Powers who I knew could totally rock my friggin’ world and screw with my plans was definitely off the table. So although he was incredibly handsome and sweet, there was no way I could allow myself to get caught up in him.