Page 47 of Numbers Boy
“That’s tough. Does he know you want to be there for him?”
Leighton nods. “Yeah. We both know we wish it could be different. But he’s back in Minnesota, and my life is here, and –”
He stops himself mid-sentence again, shaking his head and pursing his lips, probably not wanting to give away too many details. If this guy is in Minnesota, either they met online somehow, or it’s possible he’s known him since before he moved to Wisconsin for college. Either way, that distance sucks. And if it’s been this way for years? I can’t imagine how hard that must be for them. I briefly wonder if Jamie knows, given how he swept Leighton off to have a private conversation back when we were moving him in.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this, Leigh.” I place a hand on his forearm in support, and he gives me the tiniest smile. “Ifyou ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. And I know any of the other Working Boys would be, too.”
A small wince flickers over Leighton’s face at that, but it’s gone so quickly that I’m not sure if I didn’t imagine it.
“Thanks, Steve. I appreciate the offer. Now, did you just happen to come by on a walk, or was there something you needed?”
I take the subject change, knowing all too well that sometimes, you just want to push past the hard bits and focus on the good. “Actually, I wanted to talk to Sean. Is he in the back?”
“He’s on his break,” Leighton says with a sly smile, gray eyes filling with humor. “So, I’d check next door if I were you.”
I huff a laugh, thinking about how often I see Sean in Spill the Beans because he justhappenedto have something to deliver to Carlos.
“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” Leighton and I both stand, and I pull him into a hug. “Anytime you need to talk,” I remind him with a look before grabbing my treat box, picking up Stacy’s leash, and heading to the next store over.
Sure enough, I spy Sean behind the counter with Carlos. They’re in their own little world, Carlos wrapped in the bigger man’s arms. When I open the door, the bell overhead chimes, causing them to pull apart, looking a little dazed. There’s a streak of something on Carlos’s cheek, most likely flour or powdered sugar.
“Oh my gosh, you brought Stacy!” Carlos’s excitement is nearly palpable, his warm brown eyes lighting up when he sees my dog. Sean watches his fiancé with love evident in his expression. Without a word, he reaches out one strong hand and dusts off the powder from his face. Carlos sends him a wink, even as his cheeks darken with a blush.
“I’ll get out of your way. See you later, Cupcake?” Sean asks, already backing up toward the door that conjoins the two shops.My heart melts at the pet name, thinking about when Noah calls me Princess. Each time he does, it warms me and makes my gut flip. I wonder if that’s how Carlos feels, too.
Carlos nods at Sean’s question, but I speak up to stop him before he gets too far. “Actually, I came down to give you an update on your books. Leighton told me I might find you over here.”
Sean pauses, and Carlos nods before turning and grabbing a shallow container he sometimes uses for to-go orders of the baked goods he has on display. All made by Sean, naturally. The motion draws my attention to the tip jar. It’s another poll today, waffles versus pancakes, presumably to match the cupcake theme. I grin, wondering which one Carlos is hoping will win. “I’ll get Stacy some water while you two talk business. You want anything, Steve?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Carlos takes Stacy over to a table and gives her plenty of love and water, while Sean and I discuss what I’ve gone through so far. It doesn’t take long. After I update him, I let him know that I’d be more than happy to go over his numbers whenever he needs and help him make a plan if he ever wants to expand or add more employees. He thanks me and gives Carlos one last kiss on the cheek before going back to his own business.
I thank Carlos for helping with Stacy, and he waves me off with a smile and a “Glad to be able to help since that handsome dog walker of yours isn’t here to do it right now.”
His playful, knowing tone tells me Henry has been giving him plenty of updates since I first met Noah in this café more than two months ago. I just grin and head back home with Stacy. Time to get back to work. Then tonight, a date with my handsome dog walker.
THE DOOR BUZZERgoes off at six o’clock, on the dot. “Be right down,” I say through the intercom, grin wide and heart racing in excited anticipation. Tossing a goodbye toward Stu and Stacy curled up on the couch, movie already started, I slip on my shoes. Then I’m out the door, bouncing down the stairs before either can reply.
And there, in the entryway of my building, is Noah. He’s looking down at his phone, so he hasn’t seen me approaching yet. I take the chance to look him over, reminded a bit of the first day we met. How my eyes traced the tattoos on his hands. Hands that have touched me and brought me pleasure. How I then trailed my gaze up his strong arms. Arms that I’ve now had around me, holding me close. How his gorgeous face stopped me in my tracks, only becoming more beautiful when he smiled.
Only, this time, when Noah notices me looking, and his face breaks into a smile, that smile is one that’s all mine. It’s full of knowing and want and so much affection that I can’t pull in a full breath for a second. His gaze then tracks down my body, taking in my outfit. I went fairly casual tonight, not knowing where we’re headed. I’ve got on a baby pink short-sleeve crop top and light-wash straight-leg jeans with accents that match my top. Noah’s eyes pause momentarily on my stomach, and I wonder if he’s staring at that freckle he loves so much. Then his eyes are traveling again, all the way down to my boots, which have a little bit of a chunky heel. I swear, I can see the heat grow in Noah’s eyes with every inch of me he sees. How on earth have I found someone who looks at me like that?
“Hey, beautiful, you ready to go?” Noah’s deep voice breaks me out of my thoughts, and I close the last few feet between us.
Not bothering to stop and reply, I lean in and press a kiss to his lips. They’re so soft and warm that what was supposed to be a quick greeting stretches into something deeper. Noah hums,and I can feel his smile against my mouth. I break us apart, my answering smile stretched over my lips.
“Ready.”
“Perfect,” Noah says as he slips his hand into mine and holds the door open for me. My heart thumps at the seemingly small gesture. “The place we’re going is just a few blocks away, so I figured we could walk.”
“Do I get to know where we’re headed yet, or are you intent on keeping me in the dark? You know, after I’ve waited oh so patiently all. Day. Long.” I send a teasing look his way and give an exaggerated sigh, making Noah bump his shoulder into mine.
“I see I’ve got Sassy Stevie tonight. I like it. But, no, you can stay in the dark for a few more minutes.”
I laugh, and we move on to talking about how our days were. Noah regales me with tales of his more rambunctious jobs, and I explain excitedly how I finally figured out why the payroll wasn’t balancing out for a new client. It’s easy and comforting to share the nuances of our lives, and we fall into the conversations so effortlessly that it feels like only seconds have passed when Noah is pointing out our destination with the hand that isn’t still wrapped around mine.
“Happy Waffle Day. I figured we could celebrate that while also tying in a few more phalluses,” he says with a grin, whiskey eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter at what I’m sure is a ridiculous look on my face.
