Page 35 of Pitcher Perfect

“Thanks for your support. I’m glad I’ve found a good spot here.” I smiled at her.

“We’re all on our way to the coast for a few days and had to stop in and get a sandwich. I’ve missed them so much. I work near where you were parked and came by a couple of times a week,” someone else in the group said.

They looked familiar.

I turned to Austin when the group began talking among themselves about what to order.

He gave me a weird look I couldn’t decipher, but it cleared. “Want some help?”

I wasn’t panicked about handling the crowd. I often had long lines in Portland and could manage it. What had sweat breaking out on the back of my neck was the possibility of him making a quiet exit before we could talk or make plans to see each other again.Should I accept his offer? Could I?I knew he had his food handlers permit since he said he helped assemble the light snacks they sold at the brewery. “Seriously?” Anything to keep him around longer.

He entered the truck and took up all the air. I wasn’t used to navigating with two people in the cramped quarters, especially when I was so distinctly aware of him. I directed him on preparing the bread and cheeses. We fell into a groove with me focusing on cooking the meat and meat substitutes while I told him what to do for the assembly. We made a great team. Not so surprising after how well it had gone last night. While we worked, he made small talk with the customers, charming the hell out of them like he had me.

Once the huge group left, I had new Instagram followers, a full tip jar, and a nearly empty fridge.

I turned to Austin. “That damn near cleaned me out. I think I’ll be able to close up earlier than usual. Thanks so much for your help. It would’ve taken twice as long if you weren’t here.”

“My pleasure. It was a nice change of pace.” He leaned his hip against the counter. He looked so good in my truck. “Company wasn’t bad either.”

I glanced at his lips. I couldn’t help it, but I wouldn’t make a move. Kissing him last night had been a mistake—not that anything about him was a mistake, but it was too soon. The panic in his eyes when he’d all but run out of my apartment had made that clear. We had a project to focus on, and I couldn’t afford to let my dick get in the way.

“Do you want to get together this week to talk more about our competition entries?” He looked uncertain.

I didn’t want that. “Definitely. I’ve got an idea.”I do?“Are you free Saturday?”

A hopeful look crossed his face.Maybe some relief in there too?“Yeah. No plans.”

“Great. Let’s go to Portland and visit some breweries and carts to get more inspiration.” I wasn’t sure where the idea had come from, but I rolled with it.

“And the stationery store?” He looked hopeful.

“Absolutely the stationery store.” I smiled. “I could use some new ink.” I had plenty of pens, but anything to keep Austin smiling like that.

“Got more notes to write?”

“Something like that.” I winked.

CHAPTER12

AUSTIN

Team Tap That Group Text

Ty:enjoy your daaaaate, Aus

Austin:for the 10th fucking time, it’s not a date

Dom:methinks you doth protest too much

Austin:methinks you both are dickheads

Ethan:I hope you have fun! Bring me back some donuts plz [donut emoji]

* * *

“This is incredible.I’d die happy if all I ever ate for the rest of my life was this cilantro slaw,” I said. “One of my greatest joys in life is I didn’t get stuck with that whole cilantro-tastes-like-soap thing.”

“Iknow. Thoughts and prayers to everyone who has that.”

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