Page 50 of The Sweetest Ingredient

Wait a hot minute. Was Mr. Tall, Baked, and Broody really saying...he had feelings for me? Underneath that flour-dusted apron, did the beat of his heart yearn for more?

I smiled. “And there seems to be more to you than brooding and bread.”

He lowered his hand. “And there’s more to you than snark and misquoted Austen.”

As we continued to browse the stalls, Bishop caught sight of a flower vendor selling an array of vibrant roses. He examined the blooms before reaching out and selecting the most beautiful red rose from the bunch. He handed it to me, his fingertips brushing against mine, sending a wave of heat throughout my body. Though he was austere as ever, there was no denying the charming gesture.

“Thank you.” I brought the rose to my nose and inhaled its musky fragrance, sighing dreamily.

He paid for the flower. “I think we’ve got everything. Ready to head back?”

“Yeah. I had fun today.”

His mouth formed an almost smile. “Me too.”

Our gazes locked. A wave of heat rushed through me, and the faint trace of his cologne tantalized my senses. The air between us crackled with desire, transforming the atmosphere from friendly rapport to a potent, passionate friction. In that moment, all I knew was that I wanted him. I wanted him more than anything I had ever wanted before.

And although I knew it was dangerous to entertain such thoughts about my boss, I still held onto the hope that someday there was a chance for something sweeter than baked goods between us.

Chapter Nineteen

When the morning of the Great Serenity Bake-Off arrived, the anticipation in the air was as thick as a fudge brownie. A gentle breeze carried the tantalizing aromas of baked goods, and it seemed even Mother Nature herself was rooting for us in this sugary showdown.

Only Bishop, Jordan, Mochi, and I attended the bake-off. Lucia had to miss the event because she was looking after her son, who had the flu. As we gathered on the grass, Mochi sat beside me, her pink bow askew atop her furry head.

Under the golden afternoon sun, we set to work constructing our booth. Jordan, with a wooden mallet in hand, tried to pound a stubborn stake into place, only to miss and hit his thumb instead.

“Ouch! Son of a biscuit!” Jordan yelped, shaking his throbbing thumb and dropping the mallet.

I arranged the colorful bunting on the table. “Careful, Jordan.”

The bustling town square had a vibrant array of booths displaying baked goods like delectable works of art, tempting every sweet tooth in Serenity Falls.

Bishop frowned. “You sure this is sturdy enough, Jordan?”

Jordan fumbled with a canopy pole, almost hitting himself. “Trust me, boss, it’s rock-solid.”

Bishop grappled with the canopy cover. “At least we have incredible pastries to enter in the contest.”

“That’s the spirit!” I gave an encouraging fist pump. “And if the canopy fails, we can always use it as a very avant-garde tablecloth.”

Jordan stabilized the pole. “Good idea.”

After we finished constructing the booth and overhead canopy, Jordan and I organized the display of cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and pet treats on the table. This was our chance to prove to the town that Doughy Desires was a bakery where creativity and eatable art converged.

“Kenzi!”

Glancing up, I spotted Bree waving as she and Chantel wove through the crowd toward our stall. Mochi perked up instantly, abandoning my side to greet his favorite person as Bree made a beeline for him.

“Hey there, little furball,” Bree cooed, squatting to pet her.

“Hi, Kenzi.” Chantel scratched behind Mochi’s ears. Her tail wagged, her tongue lolling out in a doggy grin.

Bree straightened. “We wanted to stop by and wish you good luck.”

“We’re both cheering for you.” Chantel leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “And if you need any extra motivation, you can find it in that tall, broody baker you work for.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, glancing at Bishop, who was engaged in conversation with a customer a few feet away.

My cheeks flushed. “Behave. I’m working, not flirting with my boss…at least not today.”

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