Caleb smiled, all the sharp angles of his face softening as his eyes crinkled at the sides. The man had been so hard and rigid when he’d first shown up in town.
Loving someone looked good on him.
“I won’t ever give you a reason to,” he promised.
The whole time, I could feel Ryder loitering behind them, so casual as he let his gaze sweep over the shelves situated around the store. The different displays of jewelry and soaps and handmade goods. I tried to showcase as many local artisans as I could. Our community would always be better if we were supporting one another.
Finally, he eased up, and I fought the tremble that shook my insides when he raked his teeth over his bottom lip, his aura hitting me full force.
Warm leather and deep, decadent spice.
“What’s going on today, Dakota?” he asked.
“The usual. Keeping people fed.”
His attention traveled to the specials, quick to land on the dessert of the day.
Molten Midnight Chocolate Cake.
Did I imagine the twitch of his mouth?
Did he know?
I cleared my throat. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” he said.
Funny, it was my stomach that rumbled, standing in his space this way.
I rocked back on my heels like it could put some distance between us. “Then you came to the right place.”
“Came to the best place.” It was grumbly and low.
My heart kicked.
You are moving on, Dakota. No more getting all swoony and sweaty every time he comes around.
I angled my head to the open doorway while I grabbed them menus. “Let’s get you seated then.”
They followed me into the dining room.
To the left, booths lined all three walls. Each were high-backed and done in gray wood. Blue and cream-colored checkered cushions made them extra comfy, and I’d adorned the tables with a spray of cream-colored flowers in metal containers.
The middle section was set with long tables, done community style with a bunch of chairs on each side.
I wound them through the mess to an open booth that overlooked Manchester.
Caleb slipped into the booth on the left, and Ezra slid in on the right, moving to the window so Ryder could sit next to him.
Ryder who tapped his long, thick fingers on the tabletop in a mesmerizing rhythm as he slung his long body back in the booth.
Not that I noticed or anything.
Clearing my throat, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “What can I get you to drink to get you started?”
“I’ll take one of those strawberry iced teas.” Ryder said it without hesitation.
“I wasn’t even asking you,” I teased. “Don’t you ever get bored of having the same thing?”
Gunmetal eyes gleamed. “Never.”
I got the order for Caleb’s coffee and Ezra’s regular iced tea, then wound my way back toward the kitchen area.
On this side ran a bar, done in the same gray wood as the booths, one half with six high stools where patrons could sit, and to the left of it was the bakery display case and coffee bar. Behind it were counters and the swinging door that led into the kitchen.
I went behind the bar and got to work on their drinks, taking a quick glance at Beth, my manager on staff today and also one of my best friends. She was leaned into the display case, restocking chocolate chip cookies that had just come out of the oven.
“Do you need anything?” I asked her as I worked.
“Nope,” she said. “Think we have everything handled. Food is coming out fast and customers are happy and these cookies smell like heaven. Can’t get better than this. I don’t know how you do it, but what comes out of your oven is pure magic.”
“I need to have something going for me,” I teased.
“Oh, you have something going for you, all right. And every day they just get better. Think half the restaurant is hypnotized by the smell. You just keep doing the good work, and I’ll take care of the rest. Well, except for your man over there. You go take care of him because I don’t think there is anyone else who can do it.”
She angled a waggish brow at Ryder’s table, her dark eyes gleaming and her red lips pulled into a massive smirk.
I groaned at her. “Don’t you even start.”
Beth never failed to give me crap about Ryder.
“Don’t you start. That boy is here every other day, hanging around like a puppy dog, nothing but a mutt begging for food.”
“Um, yeah, he does come to eat,” I drew out.
“Looks to me like you’re feeding him the wrong thing.”