Page 16 of How Sweet It Is

Rafe looks me over. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

He steps closer. “You didn’t bother me. It’s my job to keep you safe and make sure your background isn’t discovered.”

“Yeah, but now he thinks I have a thing for mycousin.”

Rafe grins at me. “By marriage only.”

“That was smooth.”

His grin widens. “I’m good at thinking on my feet.” He taps the top of my car. “I’ll follow you home. Make sure you get inside okay.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. Rafe’s been close by, but he’s never felt the need to follow me home before. “Should I be worried?”

Rafe rakes a hand through his hair and exhales. “Victor’s gone missing.”

CHAPTER 8

LEVI BARRETT — MONDAY, AUGUST 31

Iuse Monday to inventory and order more supplies and test a few new recipes in my bakery kitchen. Since the bakery is closed, I crank up the music on my phone and get lost in the sugar and flour. The blue cheese éclairs I tried are a bust, and I toss them into the trash. Nasty. But I’m pleased with how the coconut cream cupcakes turn out.

I get on social media and check on my post asking for another cashier. No one has answered. I ride my motorcycle to my apartment and sink into my couch. It’s only six o’clock, but I’m beat.

I pull out my phone, order a pizza, and text Amelia.

I still haven’t found anyone to replace my cashier. Can you cover tomorrow, until Kiera gets off school?

She replies quickly.

I was planning on it.

I shoot her back a smiley emoji and a thumbs-up. But then I feel a little rude for not saying anything, so I quickly text a thank-you. And just to be snarky, I tack on:

Your cousin won’t be coming in with you, right?

After a pause, she texts back.

Why would Rafe come in to work with me?

I don’t know. Why did he crash our dinner date?

I purposely call it a date to get under her skin. It worked.

IT WAS NOT A DATE!

I laugh as I text back.

Not a very good one, with your handsy cousin hanging out with us. By the way, it’s creepy to date your cousin. Just sayin’.

She texts me back an eye roll emoji.

I’m not dating anyone right now. I’m single and staying that way.

You might want to tell Rafe. He likes you.

He does not.He’s just overprotective.

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