Page 24 of Win a Date with a Baker

“I’ll send my daughter over tomorrow.”

“I’ll have ideas ready.”

The bell jingles as Frank disappears back into the night. The bakery grows quiet again.

Tyler stares at the closed door for a second before turning around.

“What?”

I hadn’t realized I was smiling. “You’re kind.”

He snorts.

“I literally watched you volunteer yourself into more work.”

“I know.”

“You’ve already got that concert order.”

“I know.”

“You just gave yourself another huge project.”

He shrugs one shoulder.

“He looked worried. So you fixed it.”

He points at me. “Don’t start.”

“I’m just saying...” I take a step closer. “...you’re a lot kinder than you pretend to be.”

“I’m not pretending to be anything.”

“I think you are.”

He shakes his head. “I just don’t like people making a fuss over me.”

“I’ve noticed.”

I close the distance between us. “But now I know you’re secretly a softie.”

“I’m not.”

“You rescue frantic fathers.”

“I solved a logistics problem.”

“You gave away a week of sleep.”

“I’ll survive.”

“You care.”

“I...” He stops.

I grin. “Exactly.”

He lets out a defeated laugh. “I liked you better when you thought I was a jerk.”