Page 10 of Off Season

“Blasphemy to the bakery gods, is what that is. Is there a god of cake? I’m gonna google it,” Elliot says before getting his phone and typing away as he throws some chips into his mouth.

“But you guys are leaving for California soon. Who will take care of the shop?”

I’m grasping at straws here because his point is valid. Itisa great idea.

We’ve only gotten to know each other in the last few months, mostly by exchanging texts and my weekly visits to the shop. We know each other enough for him to understand my need for privacy. He doesn’t seem phased by me being guarded, and when I think about the kind of person I see myself with in the future, he’s it.

He’s independent, he’s caring, and he’s fucking gorgeous.

Dark blond hair, cornflower-blue eyes, delicate features, and a lithe body.

He’s like my filthiest fantasies come to life.

And the business agreement we have in place will ensure that no lines can be blurred, making it the perfect arrangement.

Blaine waves me off. “None of your concern. Just think about it—Jacob would be perfect. You get your fake boyfriend, so people don’t ask questions, and he gets a vacation. It’s a win-win for both of you.”

Now that he’s planted the idea in my head, I can't stop thinking about it.

I’m a strong guy. I can intimidate people with just one look. Guys often fear me on the ice, but having Jacob at my side at the wedding will bring me a sense of security. Because while I don’t need him to protect me in a literal sense, I need him to ground me. I need the wave of calm being around him always gives me.

Now all I have to do is convince him to go along with it and come to England with me.

Chapter Four

Jacob

Alex is chewing on his bottom lip, brows drawn tight in concern, and it’s taking all my effort not to reach out and smooth out the crease with my thumb.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” he finally asks.

“Yes, I’ll be fine,” I drawl. “Stop worrying about me and go enjoy your vacation.”

He runs a hand down his face and sighs. “I know, I’m just…” he trails off. “I feel weird leaving you. We haven’t been apart since I was in college, and even then, I was only a short bus ride away. I’ve never been so far away from you, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it, and what if it gets busy and you need me?”

There’s a pang in my chest.

Placing the piping bag down, I round the counter and stop in front of him.

He’s a few inches taller than my five-foot-eight frame,having been blessed with our father’s genes. Alex has always been the sensitive soul of the Lowry family; he has always cared for both people and animals around him. Like when he was eight years old and saved a baby bird that had fallen from its nest in the backyard. He made a new nest, safe from the neighbor's cat and any other predators that might want to get it, and he fed it and watched it from the kitchen window every day until it was strong enough to fly.

He’s a caretaker, so it comes as no surprise that he’s getting himself worked up over being so far away from me.

“San Diego is only a four-hour flight away. If I need you—which I’m sure I won’t because I’ll be fine—then you can jump on a plane and be with me.” I reach up on tiptoes and wrap my arms around him, bringing him in for a hug and squeezing him gently. “Alex, we’re okay now.I’mokay now, so you can stop worrying and go enjoy yourself. Heck, I’d love to go to California. The sunshine, the beaches. The Navy SEALS training on the beaches? Yummy.” I grin.

He laughs, then his face softens. “Sometimes it doesn’t feel real.”

“That we’re no longer living a nightmare?”

“Yeah.”

“I get that. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to know I’m not dreaming too, but itisreal. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“It’s pretty crazy how much our lives have changed in the last six months, huh?”

“Yep! It’s pretty wild, but we would’ve gotten there in the end. Ethan just came into our lives at the right time and got us out of it sooner.”

He nods with a small smile.

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