Page 6 of Bear Creek Valentine
Toby hurried to finish up the online orders before leaving. The last one came from a customer who only went by their initials—BPH, and it was the third order this week for the same thing. The difference today was a request for in-store pickup instead of delivery. He stacked the heavy Bear Brownies in a lime green and brown box, thankful he didn’t also have to assemble a shipping carton. When it was done, he placed it on a shelf behind the register and found Aiden in the kitchen, working on a batch of Purple Passion.
“I finished processing the orders, and one is waiting for pickup out front. Are you sure it’s okay for me to leave early?”
Aiden looked up with a smile while adding ingredients to a large bowl attached to the sturdy floor mixer.
“No worries, Toby. You need to pass that math test tomorrow if you want to avoid remedial classes in college. Go on home and study.”
“Thanks. It kind of stinks having to work on your birthday. Are you doing anything fun?”
Aiden dumped in a pre-measured pitcher of blueberries.
“Yep. Some friends are treating me to supper after I close up, and they’re a great bunch. Now get going before I make you scrub the restroom!”
Toby hung up his apron, gave Aiden a sketchy salute, and exited through the back door. Except for the mixer’s noise, it was quiet in the building. Now that Valentine’s Day was over, he expected few (if any) customers during the last hour of the day. He’d have to think more seriously about closing at six instead of seven in the off-season, though he’d probably end up staying lateanyway. After all, nothing but an empty home awaited him after work.
When the mixing was finished, Aiden filled several dozen one-pint cups with the mixture, snapped on the lids, and rolled an entire rack of filled trays into the walk-in freezer. Purple Passion was now a customer favorite, though demand slowed down during the winter months. His new hot chocolate mixes, however—including a Mayan Dark & Spicy variety—more than made up the difference in sales, and the demand grew every week.
The bell rang out front, and Aiden assumed it was the pickup order Toby mentioned. He called out to say he’d be right there and finished drying his hands. Aiden almost tripped over his feet when he spotted Dash Hawthorn standing at the counter in a navy-blue overcoat. The hot, well-dressed shifter looked nervous, though he wasn’t avoiding Aiden’s eyes this time, and wore a tentative smile. His body reacted the same way it did on the man’s last awkward visit, and he extended a courteous greeting.
“Hi, Dash. I was hoping to see you again. How may I help you tonight?”
Dash noticed the change in Aiden’s scent, and his dick sprang into action. Instead of disgust or anger, interest and desire wafted off the human in heady waves of pheromones. That answered one of his questions and gave him the confidence to stop shuffling his feet and say the words he’d rehearsed for days.
“Hello, Aiden. I came to pick up my order, but I also wanted to apologize for my behavior the last time I was here. Sometimes when I’m nervous, I don’t... that is... I get mixed up and...”
The shifter’s face flushed crimson as he struggled to explain, but Aiden stepped in to rescue him.
“Don’t worry about it, Dash. I’m really glad you came back to see me.”
Dash’s eyes widened, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
“You are? Good, I was afraid... well, good. Is it too late to pick up my order? DeeDee told me I would get hooked on the brownies, and she was right. My bear has to have at least one every day, or he gets grumpy.”
Aiden’s face lit up, and he let go of a loud, barking laugh. Somehow, his features were even more attractive this way, though Dash didn’t understand how it was possible. Aiden turned to grab the only box on the shelf behind him and slid it across the counter next to the register.
The order ticket listed BPH as the customer, which Aiden knew stood for Bear Paw Holdings. Did Dash’s earlier apology explain why he’d avoided using his own name? Dash swiped his bank card and leaned over to scent the brownies properly, emitting a low hum of pleasure. Aiden placed the box and receipt into a large bag before giving it to Dash.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“Not today, though I wondered if you would be interested in supplying the resort with some of your products. I think visitors would enjoy having locally made treats, and our shifter guests won’t be able to find Bear Brownies anywhere else.”
Aiden’s left brow arched as the significance of Dash’s proposal hit home. Ideas began blossoming in his busy mind, but then he remembered his plans for the evening.
“I would love to discuss the idea, but I have to close up and meet some friends for my birthday celebration. Could we schedule for another time?”
Dash’s smile faltered slightly, as he’d looked forward to talking with the man—even if it was business related.
“Yes, of course. I’m sure we can find an hour to spare somewhere. If I’d known it was your birthday, I would have brought you a gift.”
Aiden noticed his disappointment, and it gave him an idea.
“That’s very kind, Dash, but how about joining us for supper instead? Spending time with you would be a wonderful gift, and you’ll get to meet new people.”
Dash was uncomfortable sharing a meal with people he didn’t know, but his bear disagreed and began fussing.
“Thank you, but I don’t want to intrude on your party, and I’m sure your friends aren’t expecting a stranger to join them.”
Aiden just grinned.
