Page 1 of Sebastian

One

“I want the work done two weeks from today, and if you can’t support that, I’ll find another contractor to pay an outrageous sum of money to.” Sebastian Montgomery liked to think that he was a fair person, and able to keep a level head in almost any situation, but the delays in the final steps of renovating the old department store he’d purchase in Bell Ridge, Texas were pushing him to his limits.

“We experienced a delay with the tile for your guest bathrooms. There’s really nothing I can do about a backup on imports coming into the country. But if you’d like to select a different option, I can get to installing them as soon as they are on site.”

“Look, Clark, I appreciate that, but this building has been nothing but delays and push backs. I’m sick of it. Pick a different tile from a local source today. I really don’t care at this point as long as it looks clean. Send it to me for final approval and then I want you installing it tomorrow. The apartment and the office need to be set by next week. I’m interviewing staff and I don’t want them coming in to a disaster.”

“Understood Mr. Montgomery. We’ll get it done for you.”

“See that you do. I won’t hesitate to terminate our contract and move on from your company.”

Sebastian ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. The day was already going to hell, and it was barely eight in the morning. He ran his hand over his face as he looked out the large front window of the building that would soon become Montgomery Equities.

Bell Ridge had been an unexpected refuge for him in the recent months. His family had wanted him to spend more time in Tennessee after finishing up his time in the Navy, but there were too many ghosts there. He needed a fresh start. While D.C. certainly had provided him with ample opportunities to use his unique set of skills honed over more than a decade of service, it was a friend’s call for help that would ultimately land him in the sleepy little town.

Thankfully, everything worked out for his friend, Jackson, and Seb found the respite he’d been desperately searching for. Soon, he could stop flying back and forth from D.C. and focus on business in Bell Ridge.

Spotting an open sign on the bakery across the street, Seb smiled and got ready for one of his favorite parts of the day. Not only was the coffee at Emma’s top tier, but he enjoyed riling up the hazel-eyed owner.

The door chimed as he stepped inside the bakery, aware of the gazes that followed him as he walked to the counter. The group of white-haired women who liked to spend time in the shop gossiping had all stopped talking, smiles forming as he waved good morning to them.

Sebastian had to push down the urge to laugh when he saw Emma roll her eyes at his presence. “Mr. Montgomery. What can I do for you this morning?”

He didn’t quite know what it was about him that irked her so much, but it seemed to be a trait only he possessed. Sebastian had spent a few mornings enjoying his coffee in the small bakery, watching Emma interact with her other customers. And there was not a single one who seemed to draw out the response from her that he did.

“Sprinkles, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Sebastian?”

Her eyes narrowed and the cutest little line popped up between her furrowed brows.

Bingo. His little nickname had gotten a rise out of her. He loved the way her cheeks flushed before her arms crossed over her body, and her daily verbal lashing began. Emma Sullivan was practically the only single woman to seem disinterested in him since he was named one of America’s most eligible bachelors alongside his four brothers.

While they had taken the title in stride, especially his youngest brother Sawyer, who was dating a new woman every other day, Seb hated it. Every woman he came across seemed to look at him differently because of it. To so many, he was only his money. A ticket to an elite life. But to Emma, he apparently was nothing more than an annoyance. He wanted to burst out with laughter at the way her hip jutted out, her finger pointing at him while she argued. Utterly adorable.

He might seem like a player, with a new woman on his arm at each charity event he got sucked into attending, but the truth was, none of those women were worth a second date. So, while the tabloids kept a playboy narrative running for him, in all actuality, he hadn’t wanted to be with anyone in almost two years. Until he’d laid eyes on the brunette baker a few months back when he first came to Bell Ridge. Since then, he couldn’t get Emma out of his mind.

“Are you even listening to me?” she huffed.

“Of course I was.” Sebastian raised his hands up innocently while smiling. “I’ll just take my usual order, please.”

“One obnoxious cortado and a double chocolate muffin coming right up.”

* * *

“Oh, shit!” Emma yelled as she pulled the burnt tray of cinnamon rolls from the oven. Those burnt rolls had been proofing all day while she worked downstairs in her bakery and her stomach rumbled in protest at the thought of not getting the end-of-day treat that she’d worked so hard for. Why was she so distracted?

Oh yes, she was well aware it had something to do with the tall, dark, and insanely handsome billionaire bachelor with piercing gray eyes that just moved his business across the street from hers. He was insufferable, walking around Bell Ridge charming everyone in town while buying up their land and buildings. Soon, the whole town would be a part of Montgomery Equities’ holdings. All except for her shop, of course.

She knew Sebastian Montgomery was a good man. He stepped in to help her friends Jackson and Grace just a few months before, when a dangerous man from Grace’s past was threatening them. But the way he always dressed in a custom suit and never truly relaxed put her on edge.

If it wasn’t bad enough that she had to see this man daily because his office was directly across from her little bakery, she also saw him at all hours of the night, working out in nothing more than gym shorts, his muscles glistening with sweat, because his apartment was above his business, just like her apartment was above hers. Could she just close her blinds and walk away from the window? Sure. Yet, there she found herself, night after night, peeking across the street to see what he was doing.

Emma understood why he’d want to stay in Bell Ridge. After all, she’d moved there almost three years ago, and taken over the little diner on Main Street, right in the heart of all the hustle and bustle a quiet and quaint little town could provide. It was hard not to fall in love with the charm of the place.

Slowly, but surely, she turned the menu from regular diner fare into a showcase for her delicious and unique sweet treats. Chocolate coconut cream pie, cinnamon buns the size of small children, fresh lemon cakes with tart blueberry preserves and a meringue frosting. She loved every one of her recipes, and the town seemed to enjoy eating her creations. There finally wasn’t a split between those who wanted to eat at Sal’s Bar and Bistro and Emma’s, both places now lush with customers.

Of course, some diner-vibes remained in the shop, much to her disappointment. While her treats were turning a profit, and she’d invested some of the surplus income into new floors, better seats and a new display case for her treats, it just wasn’t enough yet to handle all the big plans she had for her bakery. But that was okay, she’d make due for now and one day soon, her hard work would pay off.

Emma walked into the tiny kitchen in her apartment and set to whisking together eggs and milk, along with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. She poured the creamy mixture over the top of some day old brioche. A perfect little treat for herself on a cool night. Yes, people usually consider pumpkin pie spice as an autumnal flavoring, but Emma couldn’t get enough of it. Spring, summer, fall, or winter, Emma was a pumpkin spice girl through and through, and she would make no apologies about it.

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