Page 40 of Sweet

Chapter sixteen

Will

Sunday, Sunday,Sunday. I can still remember the announcer in a commercial booming that day to burn the event in our brain. Can’t remember the event, but mentally I’m replaying the voice clip while I walk over to Bailey’s stall.Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.Most important day of the week for me. As soon as his eyes land on me, a smile blossoms across his face. Instead of waiting for him to come ask for help, I take some initiative and show up ready to help him unload. Only, I’m thinking of a different kind of load I’d love to help him with. He’s wearing my hoodie and I about double over like a horny teenager swooning at their crush.

“That’s a very nice hoodie you have there,” I tease.

“Thanks, this guy I really like gave it to me.” Bailey smiles even wider and my legs almost melt away.

“Oh, hegaveit to you?”

Bailey shrugs. “Loaned, then. He can have it back when I’m done with it.”

“So, never.”

“Now, I wouldn’t steal your work apparel, tempting as it may be. It was fricken’ freezing this morning, and this made the perfect top layer.” Then he lifts it away from his chest before releasing it. “Plenty of room.”

“Keep it as long as you need. I have another, as you can see.”

Bailey nods and turns to his truck, climbing into the back as always. I’m done helping him in record time, which is amazing because I’m fairly certain my hands are shaking and not from the chilly morning air. Since I saw him last, I’ve decided to ask Bailey out. Ineedto see where this is headed. I am still fully committed to something with Cas, but that possibility becoming more real has only made me want to do this even more. My window of opportunity is closing and I need to take my chance at getting Bailey out of my system while I still can.

“Hey, so, I wanted to ask you something.” I stuff my hands in my front pocket, warming my fingers and hiding my nerves. “Do you… maybe… would you…”

Bailey watches me intently but he lets me struggle through my broken sentence, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he enjoys it, too.

“Would you maybe want to go out tonight?”

“Out? Where?”

“Ah… my place? Or yours.”

Bailey considers this way too long for my liking, with a terrifyingly neutral expression.

“Or anywhere you want, really.”

“What are we doing while we’reout?” And he’s smiling again. Phew.

“We can do something… normal.”

Bailey erupts into laughter. “Then you better pick the activity.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Dinner and a movie are very standard and very normal.”

“So, basically, a date,” he concludes.

“Yeah, I guess, but I’m okay with us going as friends, too. I meant it when I said I wanted to spend some time with you just hanging out.”

His lips roll inward while he considers this, but his eyes lift to mine with the sweetest expression, all longing and innocence and—he is so lucky we are in public right now.

“Sounds good to me.” Bailey’s cheeks flush before he flicks his eyes down again. “I’d say text me, but I don’t even have your number.”

“Shit. Right, of course.” I pull my phone out and offer it to him. Bailey quickly types his number, and I save his contact then text him so he has my number, too.

“Well, I should…” Bailey gestures at his inventory.

“Of course. I’ll see you tonight.”

With that I speed walk back to our stand, which is not very far. I’m not sure how long Jess has been watching, but he’s standing stock still and glaring right at Bailey. He’s still staring even when I walk right up to him and his hands clench into fists at his sides.

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