AllFreeNovel
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Without waiting for a response, I walk out of the house. My head is filled with a gazillion thoughts throughout the drive home. Memories of the past swirl, drowning me further and further into their depths. A relaxing day in Sun City, a call from my mom that changed everything. I was out of South Africa the very next day. Now, it’s hard to go back there without being weighed down by the fact that my whole life was transformed there.
My phone buzzes. A text from Dylan: Up for a match with the guys tomorrow?
I smile. That’s one of the advantages of being back in town – reuniting with old friends, hearing about what my high school mates have achieved.
I type a quick response: Sure. Can’t wait.
Oh, wait. I told Kaylee we’ll have our first meeting tomorrow. I already planned to go to her shop and see things for myself, before we begin the rebranding and get several steps closer to winning.
A tall grey building catches my eye, and I clench my jaw. The words A & Sons are inscribed on it in bold letters. It’s not as grand as the office building in Chicago, but it stands out, nonetheless. Out of all the many towns to choose from, he decided to come to mine. Anger churns in the pit of my belly.
Asshole.
Barrett Andrews chose the wrong town to mess with.
***
“Thanks for coming!”
Kaylee’s cheery voice welcomes me as I step into the shop. The air smells richly of sugar and a blend of different flavors. A teenage girl walks past me, giggling into her phone.
“Bye Chelsea,” Kaylee says in a sing-song voice, smiling at a little girl in pigtails. Her face is radiant, her eyes sparkling. Her powder blue top hugs her chest, emphasizing the curve of her breasts. Images of two nights ago flash in my head. I shove them aside and step forward. She turns to me. Her smile freezes.
“Ian.” She clears her throat. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I glance around the shop. “Thought you’d be less busy around this time.”
She wipes her hands on her apron.
“I should be done in a couple minutes. Would you…like some pastries? A cinnamon roll, maybe?”
I make a show of studying the snacks in the glass. “It’s been ages since I tried out your pastries, so…a cinnamon roll will suffice. I’ll have it to-go.”
“Aye-aye cap’n.”
The door opens, and she glances behind me with a warm smile. I head for the table near the door to wait for her. Minutes later, the shop is empty. Darkness creeps in slowly, and I watch as she bustles around the shop for a while, before heading to me. Her dark jeans are snug on her hips— another thing that’s changed about her. Her hips are fuller, curvier. She tucks her hands in her back pockets as she stands before me.
“I…didn’t know you were coming.”
I smile up at her. “I’m a man of my word. I promised to help, and here I am.”
She spreads her arms out. “What do you think?”
“Quaint.”
She giggles. “Use your own words, Ian.”
“Okay.” I lean back and cross my arms. “It’s warm. Homey. Pretty.”
“But?”
I gesture to the chair in front of me. “Sit.”
She obeys without a word.
“It has a small-town appeal.”
She raises a brow. “And that’s a bad thing?”
