Page 10 of Knot a Good Idea

“Thanks for waiting. Also, the cookie is on the house.” I try to give him a genuine smile, but the act feels foreign.

His reaction doesn’t help. He looks at the cookie, confused. “Why?”

Why? Instead of a ‘thank you’, it’s a why?

“We try to give first-time customers a sample of our pastries. We’re famous for them.”

He wrinkles his nose as he looks at the cookie, like he’s never seen one before.

The silence is awkward, but I catch Devyn and Skylar watching me excitedly, both sipping from their coffee cups.

This is pointless.

“Well, have a good day?—”

“Famous how?” he interrupts, looking up at me.

“We’ve won baking competitions with our recipes, and we have orders all over the country for our macarons. We can never keep them in stock.”

I realize I’m crossing my arms as I stand in front of him, and I make the effort to relax.

Baby steps.

“And who is April?”

I stiffen at my name coming from his mouth. “What?”

“It’sApril’s Café, correct?” His voice is low and amused. “Who is April?”

Duh.

“That’s me,” I reply.

“This is your café?” He looks genuinely interested, and he cocks his head slightly as he regards me.

I nod. “It’s mine and my mom’s.”

A ghost of a smile quirks on his lip, and I ignore the thudding in my heart. “That’s impressive,” he murmurs.

I can’t tell if he’s mocking me as he sits in his perfectly tailored suit.

I doubt this is his idea of impressive, especially if he knew the financial troubles we were facing.

Still, why am I suddenly so defensive?

I never used to be like this.

“Thank you,” I say, forcing myself to take the compliment.

It’s the first conversation I’ve had in months where the person didn’t immediately recognize me. There’s no pity in the stranger’s eyes as he regards at me. Instead, his pupils dilate slightly and his scent deepens. He stares too long at me for it to be polite, and I swallow.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?”

I blink, unsure if I heard him correctly. “I…what?”

He cocks a sculpted eyebrow. “Dinner. With me. I’m asking you out.”

I glance back at my friends who have suddenly made themselves busy at the counter.

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