Page 5 of The Alpha's Addiction
“Neither would you!”I argue back.
“I would!I have the perfect outfit.”
“Your pajamas?”
Holly snorts, making us both crack up.I laugh harder than I have all week, and for a moment, the loneliness fades.Holly has that effect on me.
Our laughter fades, and I take a deep breath.
“I miss you,” I say, quieter now.
“I miss you, too, Addy.”Her tone softens.“But I’m proud of you.You’re doing it.You moved, you’re building your business, you’re chasing your dreams.”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling to myself as I climb out of my car.“I just wish you were here for it.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” she says casually.“What if I came for a visit?Maybe even scouted it out.I could take some time off work.”
My heart skips a beat.“You’re serious?”
“Dead serious.My lease is up in a few months anyway, and I’m this close to quitting my job and telling my boss exactly what he can do with his unpaid overtime demands.”
I grin.“Do it.Move here.We’ll bake and gossip and go out to the local bar or something.”
“You had me at gossip.”
Someone calls Holly’s name in the background, and I know she’s about to end the call.
“Ugh, duty calls,” she groans.“Let’s talk later.Love you, Addy.”
“Love you more.”
I end the call, my heart lighter, and carefully lift the boxes from the backseat.As I straighten, I take a deep breath and look around.
It’s early, but the town is waking up.I nod politely to a couple passing by with coffee cups in hand.Smile at the woman unlocking the florist shop.I even get a wave from the man setting up a display in the hardware store’s window.Small things, but they add up.
I move slowly toward the front of the bookstore café, adjusting the boxes and enjoying the fresh morning air.The door chimes as I push inside, and the scent of coffee and old books welcomes me.
“Morning, Adeline!”Mrs.Lockwood greets from behind the counter.“Snickerdoodle day?”
“You know it.”I smile as I place the boxes gently on the counter.
“I swear, you’re a miracle worker.Our sales triple when you deliver these.”
“I’m glad people like them.”
Mrs.Lockwood beams at me as she opens the box.“Like them?Honey, they ask what day you’re coming so they can plan their visits.”
My cheeks heat, and warmth blooms in my chest.
I chat with her for a few minutes, listening as she talks about her grandkids and the new book club starting next week.By the time I leave, she’s insisted I take a free coffee and a new book “for the road.”
I grab the next delivery and head across the street to the bistro before going back to my car for the chocolate tortes.It takes me longer to make that delivery since it’s the first day and I’m not sure where to go, but I get it figured out before returning to my car.
The sun has burned off most of the fog, and the air is warming quickly.With one more delivery to go, I climb into the driver’s seat.Reversing out of my parking spot, I drive down the street, pulling into the small lot next to the diner.I move to the backseat, reaching in for the boxes.
I’m bent halfway into the car, rummaging for the last pie box, when a low, deep voice rumbles behind me.
“Mine.”
