“YES!” I jump out of my chair and pump my fist like an idiot. “Fucking be cool, man,” I mutter as I type a response.
ME: I’ve literally never wanted anything more in my life. 7pm?
A: That’s perfect. In town or out?
ME: Out, I’m selfish and if I take you anywhere in Sugar Creek, people will interrupt my hard-won time with you.
A: Hard-won, huh? ?? Send me the address?
ME: Absolutely, but you haven’t told me your Patronus. You know what they say about turnabout…
A: Lioness
ME: Because you don’t take any shit or because you like to hunt?
A: Because I like my man on top, and if you treat me right, I’ll let you fuck me fifteen times a day.
ME: I think I might be in love with you.
A: See you tonight. ??
I wasn’t joking. I might really be in love.
7
Alex
“Man, will you look at those abs?” Willow whispers in my ear, making me jump and nearly fall out of my chair.
“Jesus! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” I smack her and click the power button so she can’t see the profile picture I was staring at.
“Whatcha doing?” Willow plops down in the chair across from me, smiling contentedly at the fire crackling in the bakery’s ancient fireplace. We close in a couple of hours, but the bakery is already quiet. The only other occupant in the dining room is a writer who likes to claim the corner twice a week, and she’s buried in her work.
“Nothing,” I lie, shoving my phone back in my pocket, heart racing.
“Liar,” she laughs. “You’ve been staring at your phone and blushing all week. Who exactly is Harkness?”
“Sneak. Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s rude to read over people’s shoulders?”
“Nah, she’s the one who taught me how. Otherwise, you never get the juicy bits. So…. tell me all about him,” she goads.
“No, you’re going to jinx it.”
“Rude! You just don’t want me to say I told you so.”
“Possibly accurate,” I laugh. “I’m meeting him tonight. I’ll tell you once I’m sure he’s not a total psycho, okay?”
“Fine,” she pouts. “But can I ask a question?”
“You can ask, I’m not sure I’ll answer.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to give Branson a chance? The man has been here every morning for weeks without fail. He’s tasted every single pastry we sell, and I know for a fact that he’s only coming because of you.”
“Pass. It would make my mother way too happy. I’m very done with men like that. The whole reason I left New York was to get a fresh start.”
“Men like what?” Willow says, rolling her eyes.
I deepen my voice, attempting my best manly impression. “Hi, I’m a doctor. Have you heard? I’m a doctor. You got a scrape? Better let me look at it. Iama doctor, you know.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her seductively. “I swear to God, men like that think panties drop the second you hear what they do for a living.”