Page 17 of Them Bones

Come.

Dustin thrust a cup of coffee into his hands, and then slid a recipe book across the counter at him. It was covered in flour and had pictures of bread on the open pages.

Shane's heart sank.

Dustin cocked his head and for a moment looked so much like Laney that Shane smiled despite his anxiety. Dustin was dark-haired and Laney was luminously blonde, but they both had the same pale, translucent skin, and quick, quirky mannerisms. While Dustin seemed scrawny, almost caved-in on himself despite the copious amounts of food Shane had watched him eat at dinner, Laney seemed solid despite her size. More tangible, somehow, although he couldn’t really tell for sure underneath those giant t-shirts.Probably for the best.

“For work,” Dustin said, patting the book.

Shane sipped the coffee, suppressing a groan of pleasure at the non-powdered milk, and eyed the book warily. Dustin frowned and nudged it towards him.

“Nah, man, I’ll just figure it out,” Shane said.

“Baking is science. Recipes are important.”

Shane swallowed, and looked at Dustin who was steadfastly avoiding eye contact but clearly paying attention. He shifted his weight uncomfortably and ran his hand over the back of his head before finally blowing out a breath.

“I don’t read too good, Dustin.” Something ugly settled in his gut, making his cheeks heat. He hated talking about this.

Dustin reached over to the book and closed it, before sliding off the barstool and squeezing around the tiny island where he started opening drawers, pulling out measuring cups, an old, beat-up cutting board, and a rolling pin.

“I’ll show you, then,” he said, before tipping his chin up and looking Shane right in the eye. “It isn’t a big deal.”

Shane could have disintegrated right then, from the blast wave of gratitude that rolled over him like a freight train.

SABRINA

Sabrina had made an extra effort with her appearance for the past few weeks, but today was the day. She’d gotten up early to smooth her curls, brushed on some eye shadow, contoured her cheeks so they looked less pudgy, and worn her most flattering pair of jeans (the ones that made her ass look good).

She couldn’t believe her luck that the awkward little weirdo who had gone missing had somehow been replaced by this broody hunk that made her nipples hard. But it had been weeks now, and he’d barely spoken half a dozen words to her. Four of them had beenDustin is doing betterdespite the fact that she hadn’t asked.

She had decided to try a new tactic and arrived at the bakery extra early, planning to offer to be helpful.

Their hands would touch as they both reached for a rolling pin, and he’d brush some flour off her cheek, and then he’d kiss her. He’d taste like shortbread.

She shuddered with pleasure at the thought.

She unlocked the front door and breathed in the familiar scent of cinnamon and yeast. Shane poked his head out and nodded at her.

“Good morning!” she said brightly.

“Morning,” he replied, before disappearing again.

She rolled her eyes, annoyed. He was a single-word-response kind of guy, if he responded at all. Normally she wouldn’t have tried so hard – she shouldn’thaveto try so hard! – but he was just sohotand all she wanted to do was show up to Marianne’s house with him in tow so that Marianne would finally stop peacocking about her lame, hockey player boyfriend. It might be nice to rub Holly the wrong way, too.

She pranced into the small kitchen and hopped up on one of the stainless-steel counters while swinging her legs, arching her back and sticking her tits out.

“Hope I’m not bothering you!” she chimed brightly. “Had some extra time today, I thought maybe I could help?”

He shrugged.

Holy cannoli, give me something to work with. Anything!

“So is it okay?” she pressed. “If I help?”

He wiped his hands on his apron and then pulled it off, dropping it in the laundry basket.

“All good,” he said, gesturing to the rows of cooling racks. They were all full.

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