Page 58 of An Unexpected Kind of Love

“Yeah?” I give him a skeptical look.

“Delicious, in fact. I’ll make it for you sometime.”

I blink. “You’d cook for me?”

“Of course I would. I love cooking.”

“Imagine.” It’s hard to imagine, actually. But seeing as Blake has a handle on things, from beans to DIY, why should cooking come as a surprise? Somehow, I’ve generally failed to adult appropriately. The idea of being taken care of by him, though, sends a ripple up my spine. Even if it’s bean-related care.

“Well, I didn’t see a ton of vegan options on the menu,” I tell him. “But there’s green salad and chips, if that’s all right. Maybe they can make a sandwich with veg instead. I don’t know how well cut out country pubs are for vegans.”

“Don’t worry, I’m very adaptable.” He grins.

I feel my face growing hot. “Good to keep in mind for future reference. What else should I know about you?”

“Oh, you think there’s more to know?” Blake teases.

“Could be,” I drawl back. “Who knows what else you’ve got.”

“Ideas. Loads of ideas.”

“Ideas about what?” I peer at him, smiling.

“Not just filthy ideas.” Blake’s grin warms me. “Even practical ones.”

“Go on. I’m intrigued.”

“For your shop, even.”

Now he has my attention. “What sort of ideas?”

“Well, you said it’s struggling. If you want, I can help you come up with a plan to turn things around.”

“This isn’t a snake oil salesman trick?” I smile, but even my hope is tempered against the current reality of the shop.

“Oh no. I’m fresh out of that. I’m actually qualified to help.”

I laugh. Blake looks so earnest. “Tell me more.”

“I’m a marketing major. But I never used it. But I’ve taken business courses too. I can help you come up with a business plan. Like, a short-term plan helping toward a long-term plan. You know, one-year plan versus five-year plan. We can look at your publicity and marketing, online sales, things like that.”

I just stare at him. Blake’s talking some other language. Things I should probably know about, but frankly, don’t.

He grins. “See? I’m totally the guy you need.”

“Holy shit, Blake.”

Blake laughs with delight. “Really, I’ll help if you let me. And you?”

“I definitely don’t have a marketing degree. Obviously.”

“What did you study?” he asks.

“Two guesses and the first two don’t count.”

“I’m gonna go with English?”

“Literature,” I agree. “Predictable me. Surprise, surprise.”

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