Page 38 of How Sweet It Is

He steps toward the door to his kitchen then stops and grins at us. “She’s got to be so mad she dumped me for Mr. Medical School Loans. It’s going to be years before he pays them off.” He laughs and disappears into the other room.

Kiera snorts. “That’s funny.”

I turn to her. “I know Levi doesn’t care, but don’t tell anyone about his trust fund. He really shouldn’t be talking about it. It’s for his own safety.”

Kiera shrugs and looks disinterested. “Who would I tell? I hang out with my sister.”

“Thanks.”

I go into the office and work on my computer for a couple of hours. I get the accounting done, and I take some new photos and post them on the socials I set up. I work through lunch and don’t think much about it until Levi comes into the office with a sack from the sub sandwich place down the street and plops it on my desk. “You haven’t eaten, have you?”

I stare at the sack. Did he forget I can’t eat gluten? Before I can ask, he sets a plate down and takes a sub sandwich from the sack. “I made the bread with my gluten-free flour. The place down the street finished off the sandwich.”

My heart jumps into my throat, and I look up at him. “You made me a gluten-free sub sandwich?”

He shrugs. “I guessed on the kind of meat. Hope you like ham and cheese.”

I stand and throw my arms around him, so excited I can’t even think straight. “Oh, my gosh.”

Levi hugs me back, and electricity crackles where his hands touch me. It feels good to be in his arms. Even better than our dance, because we weren’t this close. His body is muscular—I could kind of tell when I was clinging to him on his motorcycle—but it’s even more apparent now. Like rolling out all that cookie dough has given him a great body.

He chuckles. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to take this the wrong way,” he says in my ear.

I jump back from him, heat rising to my face. I totally just gave my boss a bear hug. A lingering bear hug, checking out his muscles. I can’t believe I did that. “Sorry.”

He grins and leans against my desk. “Don’t be. I’ll keep that on replay in my mind for a long time.”

More heat rises to my cheeks, but I don’t care. I grab the sandwich and take a bite. It’s delicious. Of course it is. Levi’s gotten really good at making gluten-free everything.

“You could totally sell this bread to the sub shop down the street,” I say around the food in my mouth. Gah. I really should chew and swallow before talking, but my brain is so happy I can’t think straight.

Levi’s eyes grow wide. “I didn’t think of that. You’re brilliant.”

I pretend to be bashful. “Aw, shucks.”

He stands there watching me scarf down the sandwich for a few moments before he shoves off from my desk and walks to the door. He turns back to me before he leaves. “Glad you liked it. I’m worried now, though.”

“About what?”

“That you won’t eat unless I’m making you food.”

“That’s valid.”

He laughs and leaves me to the last bite of my sub sandwich. I’m really embarrassed that I accosted him like that, but part of me liked it a little too much. I need to be careful. Levi’s too smooth, and I could easily fall for him.

As I’min the storefront, taking photos for more advertising, Kiki comes into the bakery. Her hair is up in a messy bun, but it’s more messy than bun. She comes up to me.

“Amelia, can I ask you if you were serious about watching Skyler for me?”

I nod. “Of course. What’s going on?”

Kiki lets out a breath and brushes her hair away from her eyes. “I’ve got a zillion half-made centerpieces all over my living room, and Kiera and I are going to finish them tonight, but Skyler keeps playing with them, and I’m afraid they’re going to get ruined. Could you possibly watch her at your place tonight?”

“Sure. I can do that. Text me, and I’ll send you my address. Just drop her off whenever you want. I’ll be home by four thirty.”

Kiki grins at me. “You are my lifesaver. Truly. Thank you so much.”

“I’m happy to.”

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