Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 16095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“I heard. You took over from your parents after your father had a heart attack.”
“Wait,” she said, holding her hand up for him to pause. “If you know all of that, why did you open right across from me?”
“I did all the research and I even got an expert in to assess the situation. They assured me opening here wouldn’t cause you any issues, especially as I only run a sweet bakery. I made sure I was in no way a competition with you.”
“Oh, I see. You did all of that without even asking me, giving me a chance to voice any possible concerns I might have? You just did what you wanted. Why am I not surprised? Hank Owens, always doing what he wants, when he wants. You’re unbelievable.”
“I didn’t make this a competition, but if you want to start one, sweetheart, we can certainly go that way.”
It was the first time in her life he’d ever spoken to her like that.
“I’m ready,” she said.
So much for Becks believing he was considerate.
****
Holy fucking damn!
Hank had forgotten how sexy Sally was. He hadn’t gotten a good look at her in all the time he’d been back, six months. She had a nice, curvy ass and damn it, he loved her attitude as well.
He was in no way here to damage her career. Far from it. What he wanted to do was … thrive. He’d done all the necessary research and knew what she catered for and to. Baking was a passion of his and it helped him to relax. With all the money he’d earned in the city, he didn’t actually need to work, not now, not ever.
Going a single day without work wouldn’t help him. He needed to keep busy, even if his health required him to slow down.
Go after her!
He didn’t even hesitate. Coming back home, he wanted to finally settle down, have a family. Doing all the work, he’d put living on hold and now, he didn’t want to waste a single moment more. Competition wasn’t exactly what he was after.
“How about I buy you a beer?” He touched her arm, gaining her attention.
Sally stopped and smiled. “Really, you want to buy me a beer?”
“Why not?”
“You’ve just posed a challenge to me and now you want to buy me a drink?”
“As a friend.”
She giggled. “Wow, you really … you know what, sure. I don’t see why not. I’ve got some time to kill.”
“What were you going to do?” he asked.
“Go home. Eat. You know, relax before it all starts again tomorrow.”
“You start early?”
“Don’t you?”
“Not really,” he said. “Doctor’s orders.”
“Ah, yeah, I heard about that. Is everything okay?”
“It will be. I’ve got to learn to take it easy, you know, that kind of thing.” He pointed for her to take the lead and he stepped into step beside her.
“So you come back home where you become the most eligible bachelor in town.”
“You think I’m quite the catch?”
She had the most beautiful laugh. “You always did have a high opinion of yourself.”
“I’m not the one who called me an eligible bachelor. I’m just sticking to what I’ve been told.” He glanced at her. Several women had tried to invite themselves over to his home and offered to date him, but he’d declined.
Until he’d seen Sally, dating had been the last thing on his mind.
“What about you? Any boyfriend I should be worried about?”
Sally shook her head. “Do you think I’d go out for a drink with you if I had a boyfriend?”
“What’s a drink between old friends?”
“True. This isn’t a date. No, I don’t have a boyfriend and even if I did, why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“About the competition.”
“You’re crazy, right?” she asked.
“Not crazy at all,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “Back there, you posed a challenge and now you want to tell me we’re going to be best buds.”
“I don’t think best buds will cover it, but … maybe we could be something.”
“This drink isn’t going to happen if you keep on talking like that.”
“How about dinner instead? The diner offers beer and that way you can eat and we can drink, have some fun.”
She stopped and nibbled her lip. Her eyes gave it away, the sadness. He’d seen his fair share of rejections.
“Don’t say no. Come on, you’re going to be the envy of every single woman here.”
She sighed. “I don’t care to be the envy of the wild women here. I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“Come on. Keep me company. I’ll get on my knees and beg for your company.”
“You will?”
“Please?”
“I don’t know.”
“Pretty please?”
“Fine. Fine. I can’t stand to see you beg like that. It’s not right.” She laughed.
They made their way back a couple of feet. The diner was already thriving but he caught sight of a nice table. He got to it, holding out a chair. People were already whispering. Rather than being irritated, he found it charming. Back in the city, no one gave a fuck. At home in a small town, everyone had an opinion and he had to give them credit, they all liked to give him theirs.