Page 11 of Sultry Nights

Jace nodded. "Now that's the way to do business. Thank you, Hanna Valentine. I certainly appreciate that."

As soon as Hanna said they were for the kitchen staff, everybody in the kitchen within hearing distance descended on the box and there wasn't a roll left within three minutes.

Quinn stepped back and held his hands up in the air. "Wow, let me get out of the way."

Hanna chuckled. "I love seeing everybody so happy with my cinnamon rolls. You don't know what it does for me."

She turned to leave the kitchen, and glanced over her shoulder at Jace. "Same amount tomorrow?"

Jace nodded, "Yep, same amount please, but then heads-up for Saturday. We're going to need double. There's a fishing tournament in town. I'm expecting a bigger crowd for lunch."

"You got it." Hanna turned to leave and Quinn followed her.

"Your cinnamon rolls are going to rock this town, Hanna."

She turned her head as she walked. "Thank you. I hope so. It's what I'm going to used to make my mark on this town, I guess."

He chuckled. Hadn't he had the same sentiment about the old barracks? "Well, couldn't be a better way to make your mark than that. That's a fact."

He hustled in front of her and opened the door, and she stepped out into the sunlight. The sun shone on her dark hair and he could see little ribbons of auburn streaked through. It was pretty. She was pretty.

In the sunlight, he could see how blue her eyes were. She was stunning.

"So I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me."

It came out, and he was almost as surprised as she was.

Her eyes opened wide, and she stared for a minute.

"Well, I didn't expect that."

He chuckled. "Actually, I didn't either. But would you like to have dinner with me?"

"It's not that I'm not interested. It's that?—"

He finished for her. "You're not interested?"

"Well, it's just... it's not you."

"Oh," he said, "don't tell me. It's not you, it's me. Oh, don't give me that line. That is old and overused."

She chuckled. "I've just gotten out of an ugly divorce and I'm still dealing with junk, and I don't know what to say."

Quinn nodded. He swallowed the lump that was quickly forming in his throat. "Say yes. I've just finished paying off alimony and went through a wicked divorce myself. I'm not looking for anything other than some good conversation and to learn a little bit more about Hanna Valentine, cinnamon roll baker extraordinaire. Since you have my son hooked on your cinnamon rolls, the least I could do is get to know his dealer a little bit better."

She laughed, and he enjoyed watching the joy on her face and those dimples. Good Lord, those dimples.

She finished laughing. He saw her swallow before saying, "Okay, dinner."

He grinned. "How about if I pick you up at your place tonight, around seven?"

She ran her hand over the top of her head, pulling stray hairs back into her ponytail. "How about if you meet me at the bakery at seven? I'll likely be working to prepare for tomorrow, anyway."

He nodded. "I can do that. I'll see you at seven, Hanna."

"Yes, see you at seven."

She smiled, hesitated a moment, and then turned and climbed into her SUV.

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