Page 9 of Death and Donuts

“Gross, Everly,” she said, pulling it away.

“I thought you liked fun, spontaneous me,” I said, turning to smirk at her.

“I changed my mind. Go back to the boring version of you, who doesn’t say things she shouldn’t, and let me be the crazy one with no filter.”

I saluted her and grabbed my apron. “I’ll see you in the meeting room.”

Gunther glanced at me as I walked through the kitchen, and I gave a friendly wave to let him know everything was fine.

“Sounds like Vena’s upset,” Buzz said when I walked out into the main bar.

“Since I left her or before?” I asked.

“Before. I don’t hear any talking now.”

“She’s not upset, and she won’t quit Blur. She just likes talking about the possibilities, and sometimes I like poking the bear.”

“You knew Anchor would hear,” Buzz said with understanding.

“I did,” I acknowledged. “And just in case he’s too distracted to hear this, let him know she’s close to dragging him down the aisle. I think the treasure hunt he arranged for her last week tipped the scales. She knows it’s hard to find someone willing to support another person’s dreams, especially hers.”

With a wave, I left him and walked upstairs.

Vena and I liked coming in a little earlier than the other waitstaff. It gave us time to ask questions about the ongoing vampire problem without being overheard.

Since she was occupied, I went to Shepard’s office alone. His door was open, and he was waiting for me in front of his desk. His white button-down shirt pulled tight against his muscles, and his dark blonde hair grazed against the stiff collar.

His light grey gaze held mine as he watched me enter.

“I’ll give you the update I know you want if you answer a question for me,” he said. “What are your dreams, Everly? Is opening a bakery everything you want, or is there more?”

CHAPTER THREE

I paused,wondering why Shepard was asking me about my dreams, then continued forward.

“Opening a bakery with Vena has been a goal of mine for years, but owning a place and doing the work I love isn’t everything. I’d like to think life is a balance.”

He nodded. “I’d like to think so as well.”

I grinned at him. He was the worst offender of having a work-life balance.

“You’re not doing a good job of it.”

He frowned, drawing my eyes to his kissable lips.

“What do you mean?”

“Unless I’m missing something, your life currently consists of running Blur and hunting vampires.”

“I’ve been busier than usual lately,” he admitted. “Which is why I’m asking in a roundabout way if you’ve thought about everything that goes into opening a business. It’s hard work and a lot of hours.”

“Is this about Cross’ new place?” I asked, finally understanding where this conversation was coming from.

He scrubbed a hand along his jaw. “I just want you to think about every aspect of owning a business before you leap into something.”

“Iamthinking about things, and I’m not leaping. And the business wouldn’t just be run by me. I’d have two co-owners helping it thrive. I’ll only be responsible for the recipes for now.”

I folded my arms, unintentionally drawing his gaze to my generous chest. While I hadn’t done it on purpose, I couldn’t deny the way my pulse skipped a beat at his attention.

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