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“Yeah, Cassidy and I decided that we would slim down our pastry offerings for the next couple of days on the app so that I can focus on the repairs. I’m only making two kinds of cupcakes today and croissants. We have a birthday order for these beauties next week too. That’s why I was playing around with the recipe.”
“And Cass is sticking to her normal crazy amount of donuts?”
He sighs. “Yup. Couldn’t talk her out of pulling back.”
I snort. That sounds about right. Cassidy is a woman of order and there is no talking her out of doing what she wants. She will make the damn donuts either way. If they have a customer to go to or not. She always finds someone to give her delicious creations to.
“Thanks Lexi.” Harrison pauses, a mixing bowl under his arm. “I don’t know if I said this to you, but I really appreciated your help yesterday. Jumping into action the way you did. You stepped up in a big way for me and Cass.”
My throat gets tight as emotion wells. Hearing those words from Harrison means a lot. Giving him multiple nods, I squeak out, “Of course. We’re family.”
“Damn straight we are.”
With that, he focuses back on whatever he’s mixing in the big bowl. Giving Harrison one last look, I make my way back down to the bakery. Skipping down the steel stairs and back into the kitchen, I head towards Belinda who is placing the last donut in a half-dozen sized box. Quirking a brow at her, I head in her direction.
“What’s this?”
“Do you mind dropping off this delivery before you call it a day? For some reason the app isn’t connecting to any available riders, so the customer called instead. I noticed it’s on your way home….” she trails off, eyes looking everywhere but at me.
Why the hell was she acting so weird?It was just an order. Nothing out of the ordinary. “Of course, that’s fine. The more donut love out in the world the better, right?” I take a look at the order form Belinda has filled out to see where I’m going.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “Love.”
My face scrunches up at her dreamy tone. Okay, she was seriously acting kooky now. I either needed to leave or have a heart-to-heart with her. Reaching for my phone to check the time, I grimace. I see that our girl talk will have to wait for another day. I need to get going now with this order or I won’t make it home before Luna.
“Okay,” I draw out the word, not hiding the confused look I was giving her. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Belinda waves. She’s trying so hard to hold back a manic smile that her cheeks are puffed up and straining. I don’t wave back. I need to get out of here or I’m afraid she will spontaneously combust into glitter.
Carefully placing the donut boxes in the trunk of my car, I rip off the paper bill that is taped to the side and head to the front seat. Typing in the address on my phone and setting the GPS, for both the location and my delivery tracking, I head out. Ready to get this delivery done so I can mentally and physically prepare myself for one last night with Luna.
CHAPTER SIX
The Great Cracking
Grant
This was a stupid idea. But it was the only one I had.
I watch the little icon on my phone move, telling me that my order is on its way. That green dot holds all of my attention, as I sit on my sofa, elbows braced on my knees.
If any of the guys on my team could see me now, I would probably be deaf from their hoots of laughter. As their Captain, I hold their respect both on and off the ice, and I take that responsibility to heart. They never see me acting out when we hit the town to unwind, I never bring strange women home with me and I certainly never let someone derail my focus. So, if they could witness what this pixie of a woman has done to me in a matter of days, they wouldn’t believe their eyes.
And you know what, I didn’t care.
It’s been a long time since anyone has left an impression on me like Lexi did. I was intrigued by her originally because she had no idea who I was – that was a refreshing change. When she had called me Captain, my stomach had sunk at the notion that she knew who I was. I didn’t expect her to call me that because of a few similar features to a movie star, but I would take it. I liked that she told the truth – even if her blush creeped all the way down into her t-shirt when she was telling it.
It was her laugh though that stayed with me long after she disappeared. It was loud, carefree and so quirky – so unapologetically her – that I couldn’t forget it. Even now, if I closed my eyes and pictured her, lighthearted laughter surrounded the image.
I wasn’t sure what her reaction would be to finding out that she was delivering to me. Did she hate surprises? Love them? Would she find my need to see her again charming or stalker-y? Fuck, I really hoped she found it charming. Her coworker had really quizzed me before she would even consider taking my order and having Lexi deliver it. While I applauded the caution her friend took in making sure I wasn’t a complete nutter and luring her to my place under false pretenses, I also didn’t want word of the lengths I was going to see this woman again leaking to the press. I took a real leap of faith in confiding in Belinda.
My phone beeps, alerting me that my food is here. Taking a deep breath, I wait. Seconds later, the screen lights up and I accept the call, pressing down the nine button until the line disconnects. God, this is ridiculous. My heart is beating faster than it did in the final period of my last playoff game. I couldn’t help it though. Knowing she was on the elevator up and unsuspecting of what she was about to discover, had my hands sweating. I was nervous.
Taking a deep breath, I hoist myself off the sofa and walk to the front door. I couldn’t hear anything in the hallway yet, but I knew any second the elevator would ding, and my time with Lexi would begin. I had to be ready, focused. Cool and charming so that she’d want to spend more time with me.
Maybe I should open the door and casually lean against it, acting suave. I shook my head. No, I couldn’t pull that off. It would make me look arrogant. Fuck, I was going to scare her with my over eagerness. I just need to breathe, focus.
Through the thick wood of my front door, I hear a faint ding. Smacking my cheeks to psych myself up and get my head on right, I eye the door. Waiting. There’s a shuffle of feet before I hear a muffled mumble. I have to press my lips together to contain my smile. I bet she was talking to the elevator.
