Scary and exciting, if the two emotions can coexist.
I believe when it comes to Gage and me, they definitely can.
“Where’s he at?” Gina asks, interrupting my thoughts. “It’s almost quarter after seven.”
I push down the threatening irritation, glancing down at my black sparkly top and picking off a piece of lint. I finally decided on a top that shows off a lot of skin without looking sluttish. Because I don’t want to tempt Gage or give him the wrong message. I refuse to have sex with him again tonight.
And if he keeps me waiting much longer, we will most definitely not be having sex tonight. Or any other night.
“So he goes from Rat Boy to Boy Toy?” I ask her, wanting to change the focus of our conversation. If we keep going on about how late he is, I’m just going to get madder.
“Oh, yes.” She smiles. “Rat Boy is quite handsome, so that’s a bit of a stretch for a nickname, you know? He’s got that pretty face I’m sure you enjoy staring at.”
I feel my cheeks heat but don’t say anything. I do enjoy looking at that pretty face. She knows me too well.
“And who wouldn’t? I don’t mind looking at it either.” Her smile blossoms into a full-blown grin. “Has your mama met him yet?”
“God, no,” I mutter. “She’d flip out and have us engaged within minutes.”
Gina laughs. She knows it’s true. “She’d probably be picking out your wedding china patterns and prepping the baby announcements.”
I laugh with her. “She knows I’m going out to dinner with him, but I told her it was nothing serious. That it’s just business.”
“Business, huh?” You know, the more I think about it, I find it hard to believe. He’s a charmer, that man. I think you might’ve fallen under his spell.” Gina raises a skeptical eyebrow, but I ignore it.
“Really, Gina. This has nothing to do with his charm and everything to do with talking to Archer Bancroft about your desserts in his hotels. Remember?” When she nods reluctantly, I continue. “He’s good friends with Archer. We’re going out to dinner with him and his fiancé. I hope to present my idea in the next week or two, but tonight will help break the ice.”
“Ah, such a wonderful idea. Truly.” Gina takes off her dirty apron and tosses it into the laundry hamper, then comes toward me and wraps me into a big hug. “Such a smart girl you are, Marina. I wish your parents could see how much you love the bakery. I’m afraid they’re going to sell it.”
My heart sinks into my toes, reminding me of the other reason Gage is in my life. He plans on taking everything away from me anyway.
Makes me wonder why I’m trying to get in with Archer’s hotels when the bakery might eventually disappear. “I wish they could see how much the bakery means to you, too.”
Gina shrugs as she withdraws from my embrace. “Perhaps we should make a presentation to the family as well. Convince everyone that we need to keep the bakery for the both of us.”
That sounds like an impossible feat. The bakery is right smack in the middle of the block of buildings that my family owns. I really doubt they’d sell all around it and let us have this space. “We can try, right?” I ask weakly.
She cups my cheek, giving my face a little shake. “Don’t sound so defeated, girly. We could turn this around. Don’t think we’re already beat.”
Hard to do, considering I feel like the both of us are working toward an impossible goal. “Yeah, I know.” The bell above the front door jingles, indicating someone’s entered the café. “I should go check who’s here.” It’s probably Gage, and my heart starts racing just thinking about seeing him.
I have got it so bad. And it is so wrong to feel this way.
“Don’t keep your new man waiting,” Gina teases and I stick my tongue out at her.
Someone clears their throat, drawing mine and Gina’s attention. We both turn toward the front of the kitchen to find Gage standing in the doorway, looking downright sinful clad in jeans and a charcoal-gray sweater. He smiles at us, but I see the apprehension in his eyes.
He looks nervous. I think it’s cute. Plus, his discomfort eases mine.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” Gina declares in her booming voice as she moves away from me. She strides toward Gage, grabs him by his broad shoulders, and pulls him into an easy hug.
He looks startled, patting her back awkwardly. “Nice to see you again, Aunt Gina.”
“Great to see you, too. You do casual very well.” She pats his chest, her fingers lingering.
Oh, good lord. Talk about embarrassing. And are his cheeks turning pink?