Page 27 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

“Tell me about your day. In the least boss-way possible, how is the bakery doing?” While I don’t want to make this feel like a meeting between her and her superior, there’s no denying the way she brightens at every chance to talk about her passions. Even now, her lips are curving into a smile as she leans forward.

There are plenty of conversation topics I can start up to draw out this little coffee date of ours. Some more than others. I’m curious to see how she feels about the other two men, but I don’t want to ruin the start of what we have going on here.

She starts by talking about sales. Babbling about how she’s making more in a day at her current place than what she made in a week at that small town, her smile grows more and more. When a giggle passes her lips, it hits me hard in the chest.

“What about you, though? I mean, look at you, Nic. I’m sure you have plenty of exciting stories to tell at the position you are in.” Taking me in, she even snorts. “I expected you to stroll in here with a suit and tie. I wouldn’t have guessed you still owned a shirt like this.”

Loving the way she’s taking me in, a chuckle rumbles out at me from her curiosities.

“My life is hardly exciting. When Jake isn’t giving me gray hair and Rhett doesn’t want me to stay over late, I spend most of my time at home. Pretty boring. Same as always.”

The corners of her eyes crinkle behind the next sip of her coffee. “You were never boring.”

Well, that’s a compliment if I’ve ever heard one. Here I am, smiling like a fool.

Eloise watches me consume half a cookie. Her lips part and it looks like she’s fighting the urge to ask for a bite.

“Would you like one?” I offer as I’m already pushing a chocolate chip cookie in her direction. “You were always the biggest fan of chocolate.”

Looking down at my offering, she chews on her lip. “I shouldn’t.”

She’s not worried about her image, is she? If she needs any sort of confidence booster, I can happily tell her that her body is perfect. Her curves are always a distraction no matter what she’s wearing. Hell, I’m constantly looking whenever I get the chance.

“They’re delicious,” I promise as I sink my teeth in for another bite. “Of course, they don’t stand close to the ones you sell.”

Snorting, she lifts her gaze as she shakes her head. “I shouldn’t. I quit eating sweets ages ago.”

Surprised by her words, I remember back to when we were younger and she used to love anything with sugar. Down to the point where it would…

“Oh. Don’t tell me you still have that little problem of yours.” I fight the urge to snort, especially when she flushes deeper.

Good to see Eloise hasn’t changed at all. I used to tease her all the time when we were a couple whenever I wasn’t taking advantage of her weakness.

“Please don’t bring it up,” she groans with a shake of her head. “I hoped you’d forgotten.”

Maybe over the surface of my memory, sure. Deep down, there’s no way in hell I’d forget the fact that sweet desserts arouse her. Never in my life have I met another person who loved something to the point where they got turned on by consuming it even in the smallest quantity.

It might be cruel of me to do so, but I can’t help it. I push the other half of the cookie in her direction. Old habits die hard and right now, I wouldn’t mind reliving a moment of our past.

Hissing my name under her breath, she looks around like I’m trying to expose her dirty little secret. I don’t think I’d want any of these strangers to know about this weakness of hers.

Rhett and Jake don’t have a clue about this. I have the upper hand here.

Eloise looks down at the cookie and sighs. “It’s been a long time. I doubt it’s even a problem at this point. Here, just to prove it to you.”

Always a stubborn woman, one who enjoys being right. I watch her pluck up the other half and consume it in no more than two bites. Motioning that she’s completely fine, she slouches and drinks from her coffee. If she was always this confident, I doubt she’d drink it black.

“Well, I got a few of them. Since you’reclearlyfine, have at it. There’s a peanut butter one too. I remember how much you like that kind as well.” When she shoots a frown in my direction, I snort.

“When you mentioned catching up, this is not what I thought you meant.” Taking in the different cookies, she chews on her lip. Like the addict she is, she hesitates. One swipe of her tongue to catch the crumb on the corner of her mouth makes it hard to focus.

I suppose we are meant to be reminiscing over the old days. All these years, there’s plenty to tell on my part. She doesn’t have a clue that I’ve kept up with her. I should change that.

When she swipes another cookie, another chuckle rumbles out of me.

“The truth is, I just wanted to see you, Eloise. Not behind some counter, but like this. Not from a distance. I’ve always watched you from afar.” Realizing how bad that sounds, I grimace. “I’ve never forgotten about you. I don’t know if Jake brought you here to help me, or to make life difficult, but he’s done some damage.”

Her brows lift in surprise as she’s chewing. Slowing to a stop, my words register.

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