“Heck yes!” he answers. “What’s today’s special?”
“Mini apple cobblers,” I tell him.
“Sweet heaven,” he murmurs. “Now, I’m going to have to try one of those, as well.”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him, and turn to go grab him the items. When I return, he’s securing the oven in place, but must hear me enter the kitchen because he flashes a half smile my way over his shoulder. I set the box down on one of the prep tables and the warmed cobbler on a plate, along with a fork. “Come try this while it’s warm.”
“Woman, are you trying to kill me?” he asks as soon as he swallows his first bite. I can’t help but giggle at his response. This easy banter back and forth almost feels like flirting. Maybe? I haven’t flirted with a man in so long, I’m not sure I really know what that is anymore.
“Definitely not,” I tell him, “but I’m glad that you like it. It was something new I wanted to try, and so far, it has been a hit with everyone that tried one today.”
“I know I haven’t tried very many things in your place, but what I have is the best I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something. Don’t tell my mom.” He winks.
“Your secret is safe with me,” I assure him.
“What time do you close down?” he asks.
“We actually already closed, but I’ve got another two cakes to finish decorating before I can get out of here and go pick my kids up.”
“How old are your kids?” he asks.
“Benjamin is five and Hope is four.”
“Sounds like fun ages,” he replies.
“Benji has matured so much the last year and has become my helper. Life is crazy with two so close in age, but I also wouldn’t do it any other way. Do you have any kids?” I ask.
“No kids for me, yet,” he says. “My sister just had her second one, and I see them quite often. I hope to have some of my own once I settle down and get married.”
“Ah, enjoying the bachelor lifestyle.”
“More like, just waiting on Miss Right to come along. I’m a blue collar kind of guy, nothing fancy. I might not be able to give my future wife a lavish lifestyle, but what I lack in sparkle, I hope to make up with unconditional love and support.”
His words hit me straight in the heart. He’s the complete opposite of Neil, who was all about the glitz and glimmer and what he could buy next to show off. He definitely didn’t love me unconditionally and hated the fact that I wanted to help run this bakery.
“She’ll be a lucky lady to have that kind of man in her life,” I get out, hopefully not letting my voice give away how his words make me feel.
“I’ll be the lucky one,” he states. I watch as he moves closer, setting down the now empty cobbler tin on the table. “Would you like to grab some dinner with me tonight? This is my last job for the day, so I can stick around in town until you’re done decorating your cakes.”
I scrape my teeth along the corner of my lip, and don’t miss his eyes dropping to my lips, watching with rapt attention as I nibble on my lip. “Umm…” I stall, not sure what to say. My body and half of my mind are telling me to say yes to this man, but then there’s that one little part of my brain that is telling me to slam on the brakes and say no. I’m not ready for anything with a man, and definitely not ready to have dinner with one when my kids are around.
“If tonight isn’t a good night, maybe another time?” he suggests, giving me an easy out.
“I’m sorry. I want to say yes, but my life’s a mess. I went through a divorce; my ex is in jail for a long-ass time and I’m just not sure I’m ready for anything new. Plus, I’ve got my kids to think of. That’s a lot to throw at you all at once, but it’s my reality. Better for you to know, now, than after a date or two,” I tell him honestly.
“Your kids aren’t unwanted baggage, they’re a part of you, probably some of your best parts,” he tells me, and my heart about bursts out of my chest. “I grew up with a single mom. My dad died when I was only three. It was just my sister, mom, and me until I was out of high school. Mom finally gave a man a chance and she’s remarried now and living the life she so very much deserved to live.”
“Are you sure you’re real?” I blurt out, and Garrett chuckles.
“I’m sure, why?”
“Because most men would find out about my kids and past and run for the hills. They don’t want the baggage that comes with a single mom of two young kids.”
“And I’m not most guys,” Garrett states.
“I’m starting to see that,” I tell him.
Without thinking anymore, I pull my cell from my pocket and shoot a text off to my mom.