“Of course,” the other one added in.
She smiled widely then went back to her counter to get their drinks and pastries. Soon her help would be there to work the register so she wouldn’t be alone. The crisp morning air had filtered in with the brief opening and closing of the door, and as she worked quickly, she knew today would be a good day.
Any day she could do what she loved would be a better day than the last.
By the time Corrine came in and took over the front station, Hailey was already buzzing with the adrenaline of a morning rush. There was nothing like earning a living doing something she loved. The brownies were a hit, and the first batch she’d set out was soon gone. Normally, she would have saved them for the afternoon crowd so customers would eat her bagels and other morning delights, but she didn’t have the heart to hide them in the back. Nor did she have the will.
She’d have eaten the whole batch and gained all that weight Callie had joked about. Lying on the kitchen floor in a sugar coma wasn’t the best way to run a bakery.
The morning passed by quickly, and soon, Hailey found herself in a slight lull. After talking to Corrine, she made a tray of pastries and to-go cups of coffee—each one individualized for someone special. She wasn’t sure exactly who was working today over at Montgomery Ink, but she knew at least the main people would be there, and she was familiar with their drink of choice. Even if she made extra, nothing would go to waste. Austin and Maya would make sure of that.
Hailey made her way through the door and held back a sigh at the sound of needles buzzing and the deep voices of those speaking. She loved Montgomery Ink. It was part of her home.
“Caffeine! I want to have your babies. Can I have your babies, sexy momma?” Maya asked as she cradled her coffee and cheese pastry.
Hailey snorted. “Are you talking to me or the coffee?”
Maya blinked up at her, the ring in her brow glittering under the lights. “Yes.”
Hailey just shook her head and handed off a drink to Austin, who bussed a kiss on her cheek. His beard tickled her, and once again, she wanted to bow down at Sierra’s feet in jealousy. Seriously, the man was hot. All the Montgomerys were.
Soon she found herself with only one drink on her tray along with a single cherry and cream cheese pastry.
His favorite.
Behind Maya’s work area sat another station.
Sloane Gordon’s.
All six-foot-four, two hundred something pounds of muscle covered in ink, his light brown skin accented perfectly by the designs. The man was sex. All sex. Sloane had shaved his head years ago. She was convinced he kept it shaved just to turn her on. He kept his beard trimmed, but that and the bald head apparently jump-started a new kink in her.
Who knew?
He was a decade older than Hailey, and though he didn’t speak of it, she knew he’d been through war, battle, and heartbreak.
And she loved him.
Only he didn’t see her. He never took a step toward her. He also looked as if he were ready to growl at her presence most of the time.
Much like he did now.
“Thought you’d forgotten me,” he said, his voice low and gruff.
She shook her head then raised her chin. “No, I have yours here.” After she had handed him his drink and pastry, careful not to brush her fingers along his, she glanced down at his client, who was in the middle of getting his back done.
While Sloane looked dangerous and battle worn, this guy looked gentler, but not soft in the slightest. His hair was longer on top and flopped down over his forehead and into his eyes, but the sides had been clipped short. He had a short beard and a smile that looked as if it came easily. His green eyes sparkled, and Hailey could only smile back.
“Hello there,” he drawled.
Oh, my. A southern accent—just a hint of drawl but not too much. If she hadn’t been in the presence of the one man her body and soul had chosen for her, she might have gone weak in the knees at the sound of it.
“Hi,” she said back, well aware that Sloane was staring daggers at her.
“What’s your name?” the stranger asked. “I’m Brody.”
“Hi, Brody. I’m Hailey. I own Taboo next door.”
His smile widened, showing a bit of dimple. “I’ve walked by there a few times, but now I know I need to go inside.”
She shook her head on a laugh. “I see. You scent my baked goods and now you’ll come inside.”
“It wasn’t your baked goods that made me want to step inside.”
What was she doing? Flirting with another man in front of Sloane like this? And why did she care? He wasn’t hers. He never would be. She would never have Sloane Gordon in her life beyond a few curt words and grunts of thanks. She was young, healthy, and alive. She should be able to flirt whenever she wanted.
Determined not to look at Sloane, or notice how quiet it had gotten within Montgomery Ink, she tilted her head and put her hand on her hip.
“Really?” she asked.