Page 22 of Sweet Bred

“All right. Listen, I’m going to go get your car, and then I’ll be back.”

With the distraction of our date and the ER visit, I’d completely forgotten that my car was still parked out near the park where the outdoor movie was playing. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, I point out my bag. “My keys are in there. Thanks so much, Shaw.”

“Of course. Can I get you anything on the way back? Pain meds? More cherry pie ice cream? A mime to keep you entertained while you rest up?”

I laugh and shake my head. “Nope. Just come back.”

7

SHAW

Itake a rideshare over to where Juliet’s car is parked, then drive her car back to her place. I’m not gone long, but when I walk back into Juliet’s apartment, I find her asleep on the couch. She’s on her side with her legs curled up against her body, her curves soft and relaxed, a peaceful expression on her pretty face.

Just as I hoped, she’s still wearing my sweatshirt.

I’m tempted to carry her into her bedroom and tuck her into bed, but I don’t want to wake her. Instead, I pull a blanket off the back of her couch and gently drape it over her.

As my hands fall from the blanket, I glance over at the door. I know I should probably leave, but I don’t want Juliet to wake up and not find me here.

So instead of leaving, I carefully settle into the other end of the couch.

There’s just enough space for me.

Seven hours later, I wake up with Juliet’s legs stretched out across my lap. As I roll my neck and blink away the fog of sleep, Juliet stirs on the other end of the couch. Rays of morning sunlight cast a warm glow over her. My dream girl. I can’t help but be transfixed.

She lets out an adorably groggy yawn. “You stayed.”

I smile. “Morning, cutie.”

“Yeah, I bet I’m looking real cute right now.” She shakes her head at me. “Meanwhile, you look just as good as you did last night.”

I laugh and gently rub her leg. “You’re just as beautiful as you were last night. How’s your leg feel?”

“Better than yesterday. And—thank you. I don’t believe you, but thank you.”

I wonder how long it will take until she starts to believe it. I glance over at her kitchen. “All right. Time for breakfast. I’m going to make you a Dutch baby.”

“A what?”

“You’ve never had one?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Shaw.”

“Nice. It’ll be a surprise, then. You’re in for a treat.”

She moves her legs off my lap and watches me curiously as I show myself into her kitchen. I get the oven heating up, then start combining ingredients in a mixing bowl: a couple eggs, flour, milk, sugar, and a generous shake of ground nutmeg. I give it all a good whisk, then toss a thick slice of butter into a cast iron pan and slide it into the hot oven. As soon as the butter is melted, I pour the creamy batter in.

Twenty minutes later, a fluffy golden pancake emerges from the oven. I slide it onto a plate, drizzle it with warm syrup and powdered sugar, and grab two forks on my way back into the living room.

Juliet takes one bite, looks at me, and shakes her head. “Is everything you make amazing?”

I chuckle. “To be fair, everything of mine you’ve tasted has been something I’ve made plenty of times and perfected.”

“Did you always know you wanted to own a bakery?”

I shake my head. “Nope. After I graduated high school, I actually felt pretty lost and unsure what to do with my life. Then one day I walked past a bakery with a Help Wanted sign in the window. I thought it was just going to be a job, but it turned out to be so much more. The man who ran the place, Lonnie, was the kindest person in the world. He taught me everything he knew, and it gradually became my passion, too. When he retired, he handed me the keys to the shop and told me to make it into my own.”

“That’s so sweet. I bet he was happy to have someone to pass his business off to.”

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