Page 5 of Silk and Honey

I stand there, clutching the gold silk, unable to move or speak. My heart is pounding so loudly I’m worried the whole damn room can hear it.

Olly looks at Gideon, then he looks at me. His eyebrows rise. He nudges Emery with his elbow.

Ezra sets his pencil down on the counter. A slow, knowing smile spreads across his face as he looks between the two of us.

“Avery,” Ezra says, his voice smooth and amused. “It seems you already know our local bee farmer.”

Everyone in the boutique is so silent, it’s almost awkward. Gideon is still staring at me, his ears a vibrant shade of red that contrasts sharply with his warm, tan skin. He shifts his weight, his thick thighs straining against his jeans, and clears his throat. The sound is a low, gravelly rasp.

“Avery,” he says. Just my name. It sounds heavy, like he has been carrying it around for five months.

“Hi, Gid,” I squeak out. I finally manage to set the bolt of gold silk down on the table before my trembling hands drop it entirely.

Emery looks between the two of us, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face. “Well, well. Small world. I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

“They don’t just know each other, Em,” Olly says, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement. He leans his elbows on the counter, watching us like we are his favorite Netflix show.

Ezra taps his chin with his pencil, his sharp eyes taking in my flushed cheeks and Gideon’s frozen, massive posture.

“Avery,” Ezra says, his voice cool and entirely too knowing. “It’s noon. Why don’t you take your lunch break? You’ve worked hard this morning.”

“Oh. Right. Uh, lunch,” I stammer, looking down at my shoes. My face feels like it is on fire. “I can just... eat a sandwich in the back room.”

What. The. Actual. Fuck? Why did I say that? I want to spend time with the guy, not act all bashful and eat alone.

“Actually,” Gideon interrupts. His voice is stronger now, though he rubs the back of his neck with a thick, scarred hand, his fingers getting lost in his wavy black hair. He looks at me, his dark eyes incredibly intense. “I was heading across the street to get some food. If... if you want to join me. There is a pizza place.”

“Knots & Pies,” Olly chimes in helpfully. “Best damn crust in town. You two should definitely go.”

I look at Ezra, who simply nods in approval. I look back at Gideon. He’s standing there, six-foot-four of solid muscle, looking so incredibly bashful and hopeful that my heart does a ridiculous flip.

“Okay,” I say, offering him a small smile. “I’d love to.”

Emery’s gaze bounces between the two of us before settling on Gideon. “You two catch up. I added you to the Arcade Lake group chat, Gid. Message us anytime. The guys miss you.”

Gideon murmurs his thanks before placing his large hand on the small of my back, guiding me. I shiver and bite my lip.

The heat hits us the second we step out of the air-conditioned boutique, but it is nothing compared to the awkward tension vibrating between us as we walk across Main Street.

Gideon walks slightly ahead of me, his broad shoulders squared. He’s so fucking tall that he literally blocks the sun from my eyes. Is it weird to think his height is hot?

We don’t speak as we cross the asphalt and push open the door to Knots & Pies.

The restaurant is small, rustic, and smells heavenly of baked dough, melted mozzarella, and sweet tomato sauce. We order a medium pepperoni pizza and two iced teas at the counter. Gideon insists on paying, pulling out a leather wallet with thick, steady fingers. I don’t argue; I’m too busy staring at those sexy veins in his forearms, wondering how the hell all the local farmers can wear long sleeves in this heat.

We find a booth in the corner, away from the windows. Gideon slides his muscular frame into the wooden booth, his knees nearly touching mine under the small table.

“So,” I start, tracing a pattern on my condensation-covered cup of iced tea. “You... you didn’t hate the note?”

Gideon looks up, his dark brown eyes meeting mine. The blush returns to his neck, a deep crimson creeping up from the collar of his grey shirt. “No. I didn’t hate it.”

“I’m sorry I ran,” I say softly, leaning forward. He arches a curious brow, and fuck, even that’s hot.

“I panicked. I’ve never done anything like that before, and the connection felt so... huge. I needed to go back to Olivia Cove and finish my life there before I could even think about what happened,” I ramble, before snapping my mouth shut.

Gideon nods slowly. He rests his large hands on the table. “I understand. But I kept it. The note.”

My heart swells. “You did?”