Page 33 of Mitch

I was always waiting for the right moment to capture, but in doing so what had slipped through my fingers?

I turned to look at Archie and Penn, working in unison to one another as the first customer came through the door.

“Good Morning!” Penn said cheerily, his smile stretching from ear to ear.

“Oh, Penn, you’re home!” The woman squealed as she ran up to the counter to give him a hug.

I knew most people in town, and shedid look familiar, but that was also the rough part of this job. Everyone looked familiar, but rarely anyone stood out.

Not like Penn does, with his bright eyes and pretty smile, and his golden boy aura.

I instinctively framed them in my viewfinder, zooming in as she hugged him tightly. The smile on his face was genuine, soft, and caring.

This woman wasn’t just a customer to him.

She was family.

Click, snap, click.

His gaze flashed up at me a second later, noticing my observation.

And for a moment, I thought he smiled at me too, but that would be crazy, right?

I lowered my camera as he held out his arms, sliding his right one around her back.

“Got in last week, Miss Reynolds, and I’ve just been playing catch up. You know how it is.”

I watched as he helped her to the counter and Archie popping in with a, “Hey, Miss R!”

“Archibald, it is always a pleasure,”she said with a chuckle.

“What can I get you this morning, ma’am?” Penn drawled, the saccharine sound of his voice like something out a romance movie.

He really was prince fucking charming.

“Oh, I’ll just have an order of those amazing cinnamon rolls for the boys at the office. You know how men love their sweets! Can’t get ‘em to work without a little food motivation,” she said, flashing a grin.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her words as I continued to watch the event unfold through my camera. This was going to be gold for his campaign, no doubt.

An idea shot through me, and I decided to file it away, with the hope that it may help later, after I’d gotten things edited, and after I finished the wedding of the century.

CHAPTER 14

Mitch

The day had been morethan eventful. Not only was the bakery packed from seven am until at least three, but the phone was continuously ringing off the hook with orders.

I’d just zipped up my suitcase, when Penn came around the corner, wiping his hands on his apron.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were in here,” he said, moving to turn around.

“If you have a minute, I can show you those teasers from yesterday?” I asked,unzipping the front flap where I stored my USB drive.

“Oh... I.... I mean, you don’thaveto. I?—”

“I promise I won’t bite,” I said with a smirk, noting how Penn’s shoulders loosened, how his eyes dipped to my lips as he licked his own. “Unless you want me to, that is,” I teased, testing him out.

I turned the USB in my hand nervously, watching his face, holding my breath.

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