Page 18 of Rival Hearts
“Blame Sierra for the drawn out theatrics. I'm just glad she finally gave me an opportunity to see past all those cannons, archers, and stone walls she erected in my path.”
“Yeah, but in a weird way, you kind of loved it. Going head to head with her.”
“True, but I like this side of things way more.” Just thinking about our night together, remembering the taste of her pussy, has me shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
I need a repeat performance. Stat.
Unfortunately, it's been all hands on deck with the renovation and business plans. Every evening Sierra and I end up being too exhausted to do much more than kiss goodnight and fall asleep from exhaustion.
It fucking sucks being a responsible adult on the far side of thirty-five.
“I bet you do.” Cole slaps my back in amusement before asking how things are going otherwise, and I appreciate the reprieve.
I'd hate to have to walk out of here with an erection the size of a baseball bat hindering me. And that's what will happen if we continue to talk about Sierra.
Even if the conversation isn't inherently sexy, she is.
So I ramble on about my parents’ upcoming cruise to Alaska and force my thoughts toward glaciers and grizzly bears rather than a certain curvy baker who drives me to distraction.
CHAPTER TWELVE
SIERRA
The morning of the All Schools Day parade dawns bright and early, and I hit the ground running. Caleb and I need to set up our booth at the community building where everyone congregates after the parade, plus finalize any last-minute details before the grand opening of Crossing’s Cups & Cakes.
It's crazy to me that the day we've been preparing for is finally here. Not too long ago I was caught sneaking into my archnemesis’s coffee shop and now I’ve joined forces with him to create a revamped bakery and coffee shop combination. Brewed no longer exists, neither does Buttercream Dreams, and in their place is Crossing’s Cups & Cakes.
Shrugging on a hoodie with our updated logo, I grab my keys and bag before heading out the door and driving to our newly renovated location. Construction finished a few days ago and we spent the intervening time between then and now organizing tables, chairs, and decor. After our grand reveal today at the parade, we will officially be open to a crowd of customers.
“Ready, Sierra Bear?” Caleb looks up from his laptop once I step into the back office we're sharing.
“Ready as I'll ever be.” My stuff clanks to the desktop next to an iced coffee and blueberry muffin. “What’s this?” I ask before greedily sucking down the sugary goodness.
“Your favorite drink and breakfast treat. Figured we should start the day off on a high note.”
The thoughtful gesture surprises me even if it shouldn't. Ever since our picnic date, Caleb has shown me a totally different side of himself. He still likes to play pranks and knows how to rile me up, but my perspective has changed. It's playful rather than malicious—although the more I think about it the more I doubt any of his actions were meant to be malicious in the first place. They were all misinterpretations in my head. Shannon would say it was my overdramatic side getting the best of me.
“Thanks. Is everything ready for us to transport? Or do I need to start—”
Caleb shakes his head. “Nope, we’re good. It was smart to finish everything last night, so this morning goes easier. Let’s load up my Jeep, then we can get going. Mandy's still coming in after the parade, right?”
“Yep, she'll man the store while we're in the booth.”
“And Tristan will help her,” Caleb adds, mentioning one of his baristas. “With Keely on standby, if they need more help.”
“Fingers crossed they do!” I want today to be huge for our opening, especially after all the hard work we’ve put into it.
The morning passes quickly with table set-up and chatting with our booth neighbors, and soon we're waiting restlessly for parade-goers to arrive. The only downside to the day so far is our competitor being placed in a booth right across from us. Someone dressed as a cappuccino dances in front of their table while a guy wearing a polo urges people to spin a giant wheel for a prize.
“We should have thought of something like that,” I lament. Hell, even I’d want to spin that wheel like a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and those guys are technically the enemy. No way the families that pass are going to be able to resist—not with little kid hands instinctively reaching for one of the fun prizes.
“Let them give away cheap plastic toys.” Caleb nudges my shoulder. “They can afford it, but we don't need to waste our money on gimmicks.”
“I hope you're right. Everybody likes free stuff.”
“We've got free treats,” he reminds me.
It's funny how optimistic he is. And kind of endearing. But lately I’ve found a lot of Caleb’s traits attractive, a strange twist on how I previously viewed him.