She shook her head and took a step closer. “No, Dad wanted me to pick up an apple pie for dessert tonight. Just thought we could take you along for a treat after your long shift.”
I heard the scuffle of boots against the asphalt and turned to see Ryan standing only a few feet away. “Heading to the bakery, huh?” he asked, staring at Stacey with narrowed eyes. “I was heading there myself to pick up Liv and see my wife.”
“Your wife, um…” Stacey wrinkled her eyes. “Oh yeah, Amber, right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “She owns it.”
“And the other woman that I see there sometimes?” Stacey asked him.
My heart was beating heavily, and my stomach felt sick.
“Depends on which one. There are two,” Ryan replied.
I wasn’t dumb. I knew Stacey was fishing for information.
“Well, I’ve seen a taller blonde girl there more often than any other. But now that you mentioned it, I have seen a brunette a couple times too.” Stacey then turned the conversation to me. “The brunette is that friend of yours Austin and I saw you with on that first night, right?”
“Alena,” I added, and the burn that had been filling my chest rose up into my throat.
“Yeah, Noah’s friend,” Ryan said as he flipped his keys in the air, making them land back into his palm with a jingle. “I guess I’ll see you all there in a bit.”
He pointed toward Austin, and for the first time since he walked up, Ryan’s lips turned up in a smile. “I’ll have your aunt get a warm brownie ready for you.”
Austin bounced excitedly and began to stand up on the tailgate. Both Stacey and I reached for him at the same time, and we ended up intertwined with Austin sandwiched in the middle.
I looked at her, she looked at me, and in that moment my stomach hit the fucking ground. Ryan was right. She was playing me.
Chapter Seven
Alena
“Oh my God, Hayden, this place looks great,” I said in amazement as I stood in the center of the store, looking around at each colorful wall filled with shelving and fancy little displays.
Hayden had been my savior over the last four days. He showed up with a small crew, and in less than three days, they had the place painted. One day after that, all the displays were up and ready to be filled.
“I’m glad you agree, because the shipment truck should be here at noon. It’s time to start stocking this place with all kinds of goodies.” He winked and walked around the edge of the counter toward me. As he stepped up to my side, he wrapped an arm over my shoulder. “That country boy that’s playing with my girl’s emotions will be an afterthought once you open this place. You are going to be amazing, and he is gonna regret not snatching you up.”
I swallowed past the lump that had formed in my throat from his words.
Over the last few days, Hayden had heard his fair share of Noah stories. I went from a sappy, lovesick girl, to an angry, bitter bitch, to my current state. And now I was confident and determined to make Sassy Ladies a hit. I also knew my newfound confidence had everything to do with Hayden’s take-no-mercy attitude. My biggest fear was that the confidence he’d brought out in me would leave with him in a few days when he left to go on his next adventure.
“So I was thinking since I’ve been slaving away—” he started, and I tilted my head and looked up at him. He offered me a smile and wink before continuing, “—what do you think the chances are of getting us some heavenly sweets from Amber?”
I laughed and nudged him with my hip. Hayden is over six feet tall and has the slim figure and apple butt most women would die for. Only he ate more junk than anyone I knew and had practically lived off Amber’s sweets since he arrived. Even in the middle of the night, I’d caught him hovering over an open container of the cookies or treats she had packed up for him each day before she closed the bakery. He was addicted.
“I think Amber would be offended if I didn’t get you your daily fix,” I replied as I pushed him away when he started squealing. He was such a spaz, but I loved his energy. He always made me feel better.
“I’ll be right back, you sugar whore,” I said as I waved over my shoulder while walking out the front door.
“Don’t forget to grab a drink too. I’m out,” he yelled as I stepped down from the curb and began walking across the street.
A few townspeople offered a smile and a wave as I passed. I hadn’t really paid that much attention to the vehicles lining the street, but when I pushed through the front door of Heavenly Temptations, I froze instantly. I had to blink a couple times to make sure I wasn’t imagining the scene before me.