Page 22 of Make Us Yours
I know he’s picked up on my dislike of being touched because he refrains from doing so for the most part. And when he does, it’s gentle and slow. Like he’s waiting to see how I’ll respond, waiting for my body and mind to accept him. And somehow, it always does. I always feel safe with his hands on my body. And then I find myself getting lost in his deep brown eyes, that small, secretive smirk he gives me when we look at each other.
Fuck. When the hell did he slip under my defenses? I don’t do secretsmiles or eye gazing. I don’t do feelings, and I most certainly don’t do boyfriends. Get yourself together, Ronnie!
I shake my head as I make it to the bakery and pull the door open to the charming little building. I walk up to the counter and order two drinks to accompany our food from the teenage girl behind the counter just as Aubrey walks out of the back door to her office.
I pull out my card to pay for our drinks, but as I go to swipe it, I notice it’s black, whereas mine is silver. At first glance, I’m confused, but then I realize it’s Noah’s card. “Shit.”I never gave it back, and I used it at the deli earlier.I quickly exchange it for the right card and pay.
“What’s wrong?” Aubrey asks in her usual soft voice.
“Nothing, I just realized I used Noah’s card to pay for our food. It’s fine, though. I’ll just text him to let him know so that he doesn’t think I’m taking advantage of him.” I wave a hand like it’s no big deal.
We collect our drinks and take our seats at the corner table, like we always do when I stop by to see my girl at work. I hand over her sandwich and unwrap mine as she places papers on the table beside her.
“What are you doing?”
She looks up from the sheets in front of her and smiles sheepishly. “I’m going over our menu items and seeing what sells and what doesn’t. While also thinking about what we could add or change.”
“It must be nice to practically be the boss around here.” I wouldn’t know what that’s like, but it seems cool to make all the choices.
“Well, it isn’t always easy, and it also means more hours. Having to cover when someone doesn’t come in and take blame for anything and everything that goes wrong.” She widens her eyes but then smiles with pure joy.
“But I love it. I get to bring in my own little touches here, you know. Having Clara let me take the reins and add my own items to the menu makes me so grateful. And then having clients rave about my creations…” She sighs whimsically. “It’s like a dream come true.”
“I can tell.” In the three years I’ve known Aubrey, I’ve never seen her this happy.
“You know, I was afraid I had made a mistake at first, dropping out and taking over here, that maybe my passion was just a hobby and nothing more. But I see it now—this is the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. This is where I belong. Maybe not this specific bakery, but in this industry.”
“Have you ever thought of opening up your own place?”
She blushes at my question. “It would be the goal. But it requires a lot of money,and I don’t want to ask my brother for help. He’s already done so much for me. It’s why I’ve practically been putting ninety percent of my earnings in a savings account. I’m hoping within the next five to ten years it will be possible to have my own little place.”
I place my hand over hers on the table, giving it a little squeeze. “You’ll get it for sure. I have no doubt. You’re so talented, Aubrey, there’s no way your talent stops here.”
“Thank you. And thank you for giving me the kick in the butt to go against my brother’s wishes and take this route. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be in school studying courses I don’t even like.” She giggles.
“Well, you can thank me when you’re rich and famous by buying me a nice villa in Italy.” I wink as she laughs.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I lift it to see who it could be. At first my nerves kick up, fearing it could be another message from someone I wish had forgotten about me, but when I see Noah’s name pop up, a smile forms on my lips. I unlock my phone and tap into the message.
Noah
I see you’re using me for my money.
Me
You should know this by now. All I ever wanted was your money.
Noah
Damn, I should have known you were too good to be true.
Me
Sorry to ruin your fantasies about me.
Noah
Nah, you could never ruin those, Kitten.
