Page 3 of Bossy Baby

That was more information than Mac normally shared. Maybe that meant something.

Crap!Hayley was driving himself crazy. “That’s good.” For once Hayley didn’t know what to say. He felt so stupid. Here he’d been flirting with Mac for months and he probably had a wife and kids at home. Or husband and kids. He was pretty certain that Mac was gay. But he hadn’t considered if Mac was already taken. The houses in Hillcrest were huge, way too big for one guy.

He dropped Mac’s hand. He was so embarrassed. “Do…do you want the gallon or spray bottle?”

Mac frowned. Maybe even almost reached for him. No, that had to be Hayley’s imagination. “I’ll take one of both.”

“Great.” Hayley pulled a gallon and a bottle off the shelf. He walked slowly back to the counter to ring up Mac’s purchases. Mac stayed at his heels. Hayley couldn’t look back at the big man’s face. How could he had thought that Mac would be interested in him?

“Do you need anything else?” Hayley kept his gaze on Mac’s chin so he didn’t see the pity on the beautiful man’s face.

With the counter between them, Hayley couldn’t touch Mac. Maybe he should just keep his ass on his side of the counter. That would be much easier. He had to forget all about all the fantasies.Stupid fantasies.Mac probably never even heard of age play. For sure wouldn’t be interested in playing with Hayley.

Hayley rang up Mac’s purchases. He usually felt bad when it came to people paying. Running an organic shop made the prices higher than other stores. But the products he sold were worth every penny. Mac could obviously afford to shop there. Probably why he did. It hadn’t been Hayley that Mac kept coming in to see.

In his mind, he could see the perfect partner that Mac probably had at home. A little guy like him. Super sweet and totally supportive.

“Forty-two seventeen,” Hayley said quietly. He was holding it together. He would not cry.

Mac passed over his credit card. “Are you okay?”

Hayley plucked the credit card from Mac’s fingertips. “Of course.” He gave Mac his best customer service smile, even though he still couldn’t look him in the eye.

He ran the credit card through, printed the receipt, and laid it on the counter. He set a pen on top. As Mac signed his receipt, Hayley bagged up his purchases. In reusable cloth bags of course. They were free with any purchase in his shop.

“Thank you for your purchase,” he said sincerely. Even if his heart was breaking, Hayley needed all the customers he could get.

“Yeah, no problem.”

Hayley caught Mac rubbing the back of his head again. Why was that so sexy?

“Have a good day.”

“Yeah. You too.” Mac seemed to hover before he quickly turned and walked away from the counter.

Hayley didn’t watch him go. Not this time. As soon as he heard the bell, signaling Mac’s exit, he ran to the back where his sink was.

He pumped extra soap onto his hands and scrubbed them thoroughly before turning on the water. He used extra-hot water. And sniffled. Damn, damn, damn. He was not going to cry. No, he didn’t even know Mac. Not really.

Mac was super kind. Of course he had a partner. He deserved to be happy. Hayley shouldn’t be selfish.

He wiped his eyes with his shoulder before he turned off the water.

He was drying his hands when he heard the bell again.

Taking a deep breath, Hayley turned back to finish the rest of his day.

“Hayley?”

It was Avery! Hayley instantly perked up. Avery was just who he needed to see. No one could be sad when Avery was around. “Coming! I’m just washing my hands.”

“Okay,” Avery called back.

Hayley checked his reflection in the mirror. Good, he didn’t look like he’d been crying.

Maybe Hayley would take a hot bubble bath when he got home and have himself a good cry. His mama always said to confront and deal with his emotions so he could move on. That was exactly what he would do. Some time in his play area would also help. He’d give himself alittlenight and be just fine.

To get himself out of the funk he could feel tugging at him, Hayley skipped back to the counter.

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