The dad looked his way, his giddy grin sliding away once his gaze landed on Donovan’s face. He nodded at Jada one more time and finally departed. Leaving Donovan alone with his newest employee. His boss’s granddaughter. Who’d stood in this very shop two days ago and called his cupcakes decent and the ambience stale.
A tension headache pulsed behind his right eye.
FML.
“Nice to see you’re still rolling out the red carpet for customers,” Jada said, strolling into the shop like she owned the place.
“You’re an employee, not a customer,” he said, even as he inwardly winced. Damn, he needed to get it together. He was never like this. He sounded like a curmudgeon. And he sounded even more like a curmudgeon for using the word “curmudgeon.” Damn all those crossword puzzles his grandfather liked to rope his grandson into helping him solve.
Her perfect eyebrows arched. “Indeed I am. Thanks for the reminder.”
“I wasn’t sure you would show up.” Donovan walked around the counter to stand by her.
She mock gasped. “But then I wouldn’t be able to see that grumpy puss look on your face, especially those scrunched-up eyebrows.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my face.” Donovan immediately worked to smooth his features, balling his hands into fists at his sides to keep from checking his eyebrows. He would not give her the satisfaction. Make that more satisfaction, since she was already smirking at him.
“I’m sorry. Can we start over?” He held out his hand. She stared at it like it was an alien tentacle and if she deigned to touch it, he would swoop her up and take her back to his lair on some faraway planet. “Never mind.”
She grasped his hand as he was retreating. Their palms met. A dizzying electric charge shot up his arm, shocking him literally and figuratively. His gaze locked on to Jada’s. The shock, the awareness was easy to identify in her gorgeous brown eyes.
He needed to say something. Do something. Their hands remained clasped. Her skin was soft, and he had no inclination to let go.
“No, you’re right,” she said, sliding her hand away and stepping back, leaving him feeling oddly bereft. He’d forgotten what she was agreeing to.
“Let’s start over,” she added when he didn’t speak.
“Right. Okay,” he said slowly, his brain still whirling, his hand still tingling. They still maintained eye contact.
The bell above the door jingled. “Donovan, I’m so sorry I’m late,” Ella said in a rush as she came in. “I needed to make sure my paper was perfect before I turned it in, and I fell asleep without setting my alarm. It won’t happen again.” Her torrent of words stopped when she spotted Jada. Her eyes widened in recognition. “Hi. Nice to see you again. What are you doing here?”
Donovan marshalled as many brain cells as he could. “She’s our newest hire. Ella, can you show her around for a bit? I have to do … something, yeah, something, in my office.”
He left her with Ella and escaped. He didn’t run. If his gait was a little faster than normal, it was just a coincidence. He definitely was not running.
* * *
An hour later, Nicholas stuck his head into Donovan’s office. “I’m done with the latest batch of s’mores cupcakes. I think I’m almost there with the recipe. The marshmallow isn’t overwhelming the chocolate and graham crackers anymore. I’m going to need you to do a taste test.”
Donovan spread his hands apart. “A hard job, but someone’s gotta do it. Hey, Nich—”
“Can you hold that thought? I want to give Ella the heads-up, too. The last time I didn’t tell her about a new flavor taste test, I didn’t hear the end of it for two weeks.” Nicholas disappeared before Donovan could object. His business partner returned less than thirty seconds later. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms. His eyes squinted in confusion. “Um, who is that out there with Ella?”
Donovan sighed. “Our newest employee.”
Nicholas blinked. “We’re hiring?”
Donovan nodded. “Yes, especially when she’s Mrs. T’s granddaughter.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. I guess your meeting with Mrs. T was fruitful.” His head tilted to the side. “I only got a quick look at her, but she’s fine as fuck.”
Donovan held up a hand, studiously ignoring the flare of … something vaguely greenish temporarily blurring his vision. “One, no, you’re not dating an employee. Two, you’re sure as hell not dating our boss’s granddaughter.” He hesitated. “Three, she’s also the woman who came in the other day, you know the one who had a lot to say about the shop.”