Page 24 of Someone You Deserve

“Don’t get mad at her. I’m the one that asked. We ran into each other at the nail salon and I kind of pulled it out of her.”

“Well, she’s not wrong, but I haven’t advertised it yet. I’m waiting until everything is done here for the re-opening. Plus, I’m thinking of changing the name of the place, so these cards might be out of date by then.”

“No biggie. I’ve always kept some in my studio for clients, and Greg and Jenny did the same for me.” The former owners ran this place more like a quick-stop people could pop in for donuts and muffins. My goal is to expand what we offer, converting the store to a full-service bakery—cakes, cookies, bread, pies, and other sweet treats. The possibilities are endless. As long as I have the manpower to do it, that is.

“I appreciate the support no matter what,” I say just as Penn walks into the store.

“Is that my little sister?” He slides his safety goggles up his face, resting them on the top of his head. His shirt and jeans are covered in dust, but it’s the sheen on his forearms that is truly garnering my attention.

Sexy, strong, glistening forearms.

Lord have mercy.

“It is. God, you’re a mess.” Her eyes move up and down his body. “Please tell me you’re almost done, by the way. The noise is just awful.”

Penn scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, I didn’t really think about the noise bothering folks.”

Hazel rolls her eyes. “Doesn’t surprise me.”

“Hey, I’ll remember that the next time you want me to build a set for a photo shoot.” He arches a brow at her.

She crosses her arms over her chest and returns the look. “Well, I guess now isn’t the right time to ask you for one for Christmas photo sessions then, is it?”

Penn rolls his eyes and sighs. “When do you need it by?”

Batting her eyelashes, she clasps her hands in front of her. “Thanksgiving, if you can?”

“Yeah, I can make that work.” He takes out his notepad, writes something on it, and then shoves it back in his pocket. “Now, if you’re done whining, I actually came in to tell Astrid that one of the chairs is done, but I wanted her opinion on the final product before I start the rest.”

I turn back to Hazel and smile. “Duty calls.”

“No problem. But, before I leave, I also wanted to extend an invite to you for this passion party that I’m having.”

“What the fuck is a passion party?” Penn asks, wrinkling his nose.

“It’s a sex toy party,” Hazel tells her brother, and I watch as Penn shifts from confusion to disgust.

“Jesus Christ, Hazel.”

“Newsflash, Penn. I’m twenty-five. I’m a grown woman and I’ve had…”

“La, la, la!” He plugs his ears like a petulant child, which makes both Hazel and me laugh. Shaking his head, he heads to the back of the bakery again. “I’m just going to pretend I never heard those words come out of your mouth. Astrid, I’ll meet you out back when you’re done.”

Hazel and I watch him retreat, and then I turn to her. “You probably just scarred him for life.”

She shrugs. “Serves him right. I’ll just think of it as payback for every time he chased me with a lizard.”

Laughter bubbles out of me. “So, a passion party?”

“Yeah. It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving. One of my girlfriends is throwing them for some side money and she’ll be home for the holiday. I told her I would invite everyone I know, so…”

“I get an invite too.”

“Obviously. And I’m sure you could use a few new toys. I mean…” She bites her lip. “I don’t want to be presumptuous, but you’re still a woman, Astrid. And you have needs, right?”

God, if she only knew just how true that statement has been lately.

“Yes, but…”

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