So Much More (Made for Love #3) (7 page)

Dammit—it’s time to sever ties of familiarity.

“Shit, Brandon. Why didn’t you call me?” she asks, gripping a fistful of my apron before dragging me to a nearby table. She sits and I follow her lead. “What happened?”

“Same thing that always happens,” I admit. “Except this time
I
walked away. It’s over. For real, this time.”

“You mean it?”

I nod before I say, “Yeah. I mean it.”

“Good.” She shakes her head before she continues. “You were one of my
loudest
advocates when it came to Trevor. You were so sure that he’d want me like I wanted him—”

“Daph, it was the most obvious thing in the world.”

“I see that, now. My point is, that’s what love is supposed to look like. I know you know that—you just need to start acting like it. You deserve someone who loves you so much that it’s the most obvious thing in the world. And I know she’s out there. She’s hot as hell, too. I’m sure of it.”

As if right on cue, the bell above the door sounds as someone enters. I look up casually, and when I lay eyes on her, I can’t look away.

“You mean someone like
that?
” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them, but I can’t bring myself to take them back.

Her long legs are golden, tanned from summer’s sun. She’s got a body that makes my hands tremble—the slight curve of her hips and the shape of her breasts slowing my eyes’ assent. Her long blonde hair falls in waves over her chest and down her back, and her face…

She looks familiar but I can’t figure out why. The thought of me forgetting someone so gorgeous seems impossible. I can’t take my eyes off of her and I watch as her bright blue eyes savor her surroundings.

“
Sarah?
” says Daphne, breaking my focus.

When
Sarah
looks in our direction, I furrow my brow in confusion as I look at Daphne.

“You know her?”

“So do you,” she says with a laugh, waving Sarah over.

“Daphne?” she speaks as she draws closer. “Oh, my gosh, hi! I didn’t recognize you. Your hair’s different and—”

I can tell the moment she lays eyes on Caroline. It’s written all over her face—a face I can’t seem to get enough of. Aware that Care’s bound to keep her oblivious to my stare, I don’t stop.

“She’s
adorable,
” Sarah gushes.

“Do you want to hold her?” Before Sarah has a chance to respond, Daphne’s on her feet, carefully extracting Caroline from the cocoon she’s wrapped in. She fusses as they make the exchange, but Sarah’s quick to comfort her as she rocks from side to side.

“What’s her name? How old is she?”

“Caroline. And she’s sixteen weeks.”

“Oh, my god, Daphne, she’s—
oh, my god, Daphne!
” she gasps, distracted by the hand that straightens Care’s headband. Or, rather, the two carat diamond ring on said hand.

Daphne laughs, knowing right away what Sarah is referring to. “Trevor tells me I’m being ridiculous every time I say it, but I tease him all the time about how he picked this ring as a representation of the size of his dick. Since he’s not whipping it out for anyone but me anymore, he doesn’t get to hear girls say that unless I’m showing off the ring he’s proud to admit he chose all on his own.”

“You and Trevor?”

Daphne nods. “Can you tell? Our little worm looks just like him.”

With my eyes still trained intently on Sarah, I don’t miss it when something like sadness flickers across her face. Then she looks down at Caroline and smiles. “Congratulations, Daphne. Dammit—I’m gone a little longer than a year and it feels like the whole world has changed.”

“Here, you should sit with us,” Daphne offers.

I stand to offer her my seat, more than happy to have this beautiful stranger—
who apparently isn’t a stranger
—join us. When I reach my full height, she looks up at me and our eyes meet for the first time since she walked into the shop. “Have my chair. I’ll get another.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t mention it,” I insist, pushing my vacant chair closer to her. She sits and I’m quick to grab another seat from a nearby table.

“So, what are you doing here? In town, I mean,” asks Daphne.

“I just moved back,” she murmurs, looking from me to Daphne, to Caroline, to me. “Actually—” She hesitates, looks down at Caroline and then back up at me. Every time our eyes meet, my heartbeat kicks up a notch. “I think I’m here to see you.”

“Me?” I mutter lamely.

“Brandon, right?”

I fold one arm across my chest as I stroke my chin with my free hand, kicking myself for being the only clueless one at the table.
Why can’t I remember who she is? How is it possible that I knew her but didn’t
notice
her?

“
Yes
,” Daphne answers with a chuckle on my behalf. “Don’t mind him. He’s not as good with names and faces as I am. He’s currently racking his brain, trying to figure out how he knows you.”

“My bad,” I finally manage.

“It’s fine,” she says with a smile.

Damn. I want to own that smile.

“It’s been a while. We’ve only hung out a couple times—back when I was a senior at CSU. I’ll admit, I kind of cheated. I remembered your face but not your name. Lucky for me, it’s on the door. Anyway—I’m actually here because I saw you were hiring,” she tells me, pointing back at the sign I’ve got propped in the window. “I’m interested.”

Me, too, gorgeous...

“You’re hired,” Daphne proclaims, smacking her hand against the table, effectively pulling me from my thoughts. “Wait—aren’t you a teacher or something?”

“Um—” The same distraught look that shadowed her features a moment ago reappears. She looks down at Caroline, finds her smile, and then addresses Daphne. “Yeah. Well, I was. Or—I am. I just—I’m on hiatus. I just moved back into town this weekend and I really need a job. I have a little bit of experience as a barista,” she tells me. “But I’m a quick learner so—”

“Oh, no need to convince him,” says Daphne with a grin. “He’ll hire you. He needs you. Brandon—she’s it. She’s your new partner-in-crime. Hire her.”

For a second, I think about just saying yes. Something about her voice conveys the sincerity behind her need and I want to take that away—I’m caught off guard by my instant desire to do whatever I can to insure that she wants for nothing. Then I remember that the person I’m looking to hire will be responsible for helping me keep up with Little Bird—which isn’t just the coffee shop where I work; it’s the coffee shop I’ve always wanted. The business man in me wants to handle this the right way.

“I’d be more than happy to talk to you about the position.”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

Daphne rolls her eyes as she stands. “Fine,” she mutters. “Do the boss thing and interview her properly. I’m going to go order a drink. Are you alright if Care stays? She seems pretty content right now,” she asks Sarah.

“You don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” she says with a wave. She heads to the counter, leaving the two—and a half—of us alone at the table. I regret that I don’t remember Sarah more, but I can tell that Daphne approves of her, which speaks volumes in my book.

Who knows. Maybe she’s exactly who I’ve been waiting for.

I
HAVE EVERY INTENTION
of walking out of Little Bird Cafe with a job today.

Yesterday morning, I got up to go to church. It was more of an excuse to get out of the apartment than anything else. I went to Cavalry Hill Community, where I had attended during my undergrad. It was weird being there without Addie, Avery, Beck, and Gray. It felt unfamiliar after an entire summer of no church. I felt out of sorts there, my head and my heart all over the place. It almost felt like I was trying to force myself back into the version of myself that I was a year ago. I’m not so sure I’m interested in making a repeat visit.

Yet, I’m not so sure giving up on God will make anything better.

Maybe a change of Sunday venue is in order.

Millie slept in, which helped answer the question as to whether or not she is
Sunday spiritual.
Then again—the way she yelled at me Saturday afternoon seemed to be a pretty good indication as well. I’m wondering if she’s got a single drop of grace in her.

We’ve hardly spoken since the
Ghirardelli Incident
. She did mumble a pathetic
thank you
for cleaning up the kitchen and replacing the food stuffs that I had used—
I made sure to double up on the chocolate chips for good measure.
I assured her that had been my plan all along. I let my actions speak against her accusation that I am a
sloth
and a
thief
.

My reflection chastised me for it later, while I was brushing my teeth. I know I need to stand up for myself better. I used to be able to…

With the uncomfortable amount of tension in our apartment, I decided to head out with my laptop and do some online job hunting elsewhere. There are a million and one coffee shops in Fort Collins, so I knew I’d be able to settle myself somewhere. When I found parking just a short walk away from Little Bird, it was like the coffee shop was welcoming me back.

I spent a good amount of time here during my senior year at CSU. Addie, Roman and I had this little tradition. Every month we would get together for the open-mic-night that was hosted here. Addie and I knew Roman from work.

Roman
.

For a while, I had such a big crush on him. He was handsome and enchanting and, unfortunately, totally into my best friend. Obviously
that
didn’t work out in my favor.

It’s a common trend when it comes to my love life.

Then again, things didn’t work out so well for him either. Addie picked the other guy. Her forever love. I wonder what Roman’s life is like now. The little girl in my arms is his niece. I can hardly believe I’m holding evidence of more than a year gone by. When I left, Daphne and Trevor were just friends. Totally and completely in love, but just friends.

When I left—Little Bird Cafe was just that. Now, it’s
Little Bird Cafe. Home of Brandon’s Bakery.

Brandon.

Hot. Damn. Brandon.

I’m trying not to stare. I really am. I’m not interested in men these days.

Really. Truly.

But Brandon…

I told him I remembered his face, but I don’t remember it being so distracting. Maybe it’s because I was too hung up on Roman at the time to notice. Whatever the case may be, I can't stop thinking about his smile. I don't know how he does it, but when he smiles, he looks charming and endearing, but also smolderingly handsome. When I look at him, it's like fanning through a rolodex of my favorite book boyfriends. Except he's real. I could touch him.

Shit. Don't think about touching him!

My heart shoves aside my rationale and I try and imagine what it would be like to kiss him. Or what it would feel like to have his dark, honey brown scruff scrape across my skin as his lips leave a wet trail down my neck. My Lord, that low trimmed beard he wears is totally sexy in that rugged, I'm-a-man-and-I-won't-apologize-for-it sort of way. And he most certainly is
all man
. All six-foot-plus of him, with a beautiful body that looks to be void of a single ounce of fat. I wonder what he would look like in nothing but that black apron he's sporting right now...

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Stop, stop, stop!

Too much smut. I've been reading too much smut!

I want the job, not the man. The job!

Remember the last time you wanted the man?

My heart flips me off, unappreciative of the reminder; but my pulse slows, knowing my brain is right. I want the job. I
need
the job. Anything else is more than I can handle in my current state. With that in mind, I snuggle Caroline a little closer and then look back over at Brandon.

The job. I want the job. Not those warm, dark hazel eyes. The job, dammit. The job.

I clear my throat, hoping my voice won’t be dripping in lust when I go to use it. “So, when did Little Bird became Home of Brandon’s Bakery?” I manage.

“A couple months ago,” he says with a smile that can’t decide if it’s shy or proud.