Page 49 of Delicate Escape

Thea’s lips twitched. “Glad to know your weakness.”

No one was behind us, so I watched as Thea gave Walter, the cook, our order and then gathered the drinks and cookies. She and Sutton moved in a tandem dance that spoke of a routine they’d mastered over the past several months, but my gaze never strayed from Thea for more than a handful of seconds.

“Jesus, you’re a goner,” Anson muttered.

My eyes shot to him. “Like you’re one to talk. My sister has your nuts in a vise grip.”

Anson chuckled. “Exactly where I like them to be.”

I made a face. “Sick. I do not need to know about your guys’ sex life.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“I did not. God, I’m about to eat.”

Anson’s grin only widened. “Fine. She know how you feel about her?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “She knows I think she’s beautiful. But I also haven’t crossed that line. I don’t want to push things. Especially when…”

Anson pitched his voice low. “When you don’t know what she’s been through.”

I nodded. I had no idea what Thea had battled, only that it wasn’t good. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was bring up bad memories for her.

Anson clapped me on the shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you in her corner.”

I was sure there was someone better for Thea. Someone who deserved her more. But I was too damn selfish to step aside and let her find him. And I’d do everything I could to be the man she needed.

“Here you go,” Thea said, rounding the counter. “I threw in a couple of monsters, a brownie, a snickerdoodle, and a lemon bar.”

“Sugar coma, here we come,” I said, shaking my head with a smile.

She handed me the bag, and I didn’t miss the slight tremble in her arm. My gaze locked on it as our fingers brushed.

“I’m sure you’ll burn it off working this afternoon,” she said with a smile.

Concern dug deep at the fear she was expertly hiding. “Thanks,” I said, my voice taking on a gritty tone.

Thea’s eyes dropped to my mouth as if searching for the source of the sound. She swallowed hard, her focus moving back to my eyes. “Sure.” She was silent for a count of two. “See you tonight?”

The hopeful lilt to the words sent relief coursing through me. Whatever had happened, it wasn’t enough for Thea to send me away. “I’ll be there.”

“I’m making dinner this time,” she said, her voice taking on a stern teacher tone.

“But I?—”

Thea shook her head. “My greenhouse is going to explode if we don’t eat some of the produce.”

“All right,” I acquiesced. “But I’m on cleanup duty.”

“Fair. See you tonight.”

God, I wanted to touch her. Wanted to kiss her right there in the middle of the bakery, no matter how much it would get the local tongues wagging. But I held myself back. “Tonight.”

“See you later, Anson.”

“See you, Thea,” he answered before tugging me by the back of my tee. “Come on, before you start drooling.”

I shoved him as we headed out of the bakery. “You’re a prick.”

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