Page 2 of Baby Boy

Avery scooped up his backpack then headed for the door that led into the kitchen and back area. The bell above the coffee shop door jingled but he didn’t stop. Jasmin could handle the front for the few minutes he would be gone.

“Avery.” Cathy greeted him warmly as he stepped into the kitchen where she was removing baking trays from the oven. Cathy enjoyed the baking more than anything else, said it calmed her, and didn’t enjoy serving the customers half as much as Avery did. “Jasmin assured me you’d be early.”

“Always am,” he quipped. He left out the fact that he had nowhere else to go. He hated the tiny studio apartment he could afford, and his other employers weren’t as accepting of him as Cathy. His other bosses put up with him because he was a hard worker, never called in sick, and was cute.

He’d actually been told that by the manager of the restaurant where he picked up shifts when they needed him to. He couldn’t get on the schedule full-time because he was also extremely awkward, but when they were desperate, they called him in, which had been more and more lately. The manager was such a dick that they couldn’t keep staff and had a high turnover. Avery felt bad for the owner, a nice guy Avery had met when he’d been hired. Max, the owner, had run the restaurant until some family emergency had pulled him away and he’d hired Michael. Michael had hated Avery from the second they’d met. Avery still didn’t know why.

“You’re such a blessing to me.” Cathy patted his shoulder as she walked past him to grab a display tray. She had no idea how much Avery needed her in his life but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so he never said anything, just nodded and smiled.

“How’d signing up for classes go?” Cathy asked. She moved pastries back and forth and he followed the movement which entranced him. He liked the rhythm. “Avery?”

“Huh?” He blushed when he realized he’d been watching her hands and not paying attention to the conversation. He was such a spaz.

“Did you get the classes you wanted?” she asked, probably for the second time, maybe third.

He shook his head. “No, you were right. I waited too long.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Avery,” Cathy wiped her hands on her apron before walking over and giving him a hug.

Avery closed his eyes and accepted the embrace. It felt good to be touched. Even if it was from a woman and not sexual.

“It’s okay,” he told her after she’d pulled back. “I did get into a couple of classes that I think will be fun. I might not need them for my major but at least I’ll be going to school this semester.

Cathy sniffed, as though she was sad for him. “You know I would pay you more if I could.”

“I know.” Avery held his hands up. “You do more for me than anyone. Please don’t think I’m complaining. I love my job here.”

“You’re such a good boy,” Cathy said. “If I could, I’d pay for all your schooling.”

Avery laughed. Cathy had made that claim too many times to count. But he’d seen the bills in the office and knew how much money running the coffee shop took. “I’ll figure it out.” He had to. “But I better get up front before Jasmin starts yelling for me.”

Cathy smiled then pushed the display tray toward him. “Take that with you. And I want you to eat one as you get time.”

“No, I ate today—” he started to protest.

“I insist.” She gave him a stern look. “It’s a thank-you for always coming in early and helping out. I don’t have another employee as loyal as you. I have to take care of my boy.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, blushing. He didn’t want to think too hard about how warmth filled him when he was called my boy. When he belonged to someone. He also knew when he shouldn’t argue with her. Avery picked up the tray and backed out of the room.

He could hear Jasmin talking to a customer, so he carefully watched where he was walking. It would be just his luck to run into the back of her and drop the tray. He’d done that before. As carefully as he was able, he slid the rack into the display case. Avery finally breathed a sigh of relief when he stepped back without making a mess. He wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans, then straightened. As he lifted his head, he met the gaze of the bluest eyes he’d ever seen.

Fuck.Avery knew whose eyes those were and here he was putting a rack in like it was surgery. He was such a moron. Jace Greshaw was the most attractive man Avery had ever set eyes on. He was older than Avery by at least ten years, but the years had been kind to Jace. And the man made it a habit to compliment or be nice to Avery every time Jace came into the coffee shop, which was almost every day Avery worked.

“Hello, little Avery.”

He opened his mouth to answer, couldn’t think of anything to say, so closed his mouth, but he didn’t want to be rude, opened his mouth… and sucked in too much air and started to cough.

A strangled laugh came from Jasmin before she started pounding on his back.

Avery knew his cheeks had turned bright red and he fanned his face. This was so embarrassing, but it wasn’t even the worst interaction Avery had ever had with Jace. Oh no, Avery had been making a fool of himself in front of Jace for months now. Ever since the gorgeous businessman had moved his office to the neighborhood.

“Are you okay?” Jace asked, the concern clear on his face and in his tone, and Avery felt even lower. He didn’t want Jace to worry about him. He wanted Jace to desire him. Yeah, like that would ever happen.

“Fine,” he blurted out.Shit.“Yes, sir, I’m fine.”

Something in Jace’s gaze changed. A spark shone in his eyes before he nodded stiffly. Avery had said something wrong again.

“Let me get you that Americano, Jace,” Jasmin said, drawing the hottie’s attention from Avery.

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