Page 5 of Haven Bound
I wait for him to respond as I finish writing out the list of items.When he doesn’t, I raise my head and find him already looking at me, his head tilted to the side. “You look really good, Chels.” He’s leaning forward ever so slightly with his fingers intertwined and his forearms resting on the tabletop, watching me. It takes a strength that I wasn’t aware I had to ignore the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
“Does that all sound good to you?” I ask, heat flooding my cheeks as I try to ignore what he said even though"you look really good"is now playing on repeat in my mind.
He smiles and leans back in his chair, his hands falling into his lap. “Yup, sounds great. I think she also said something about a carrot bundt cake?” He seems so relaxed and…happy.
Why does he get to be so damn happy while my life feels like it’s in shambles? Like I could break at any minute while he’s sitting there looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair that our time together clearly meant nothing to him and he’s entirely unaffected by seeing me again. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here with my heart preparing to pound its way out of my chest while I do everything within my power to keep my breaths steady.
“Of course, that’s one of her favorites.” I want him to know that I’m still close with his parents. I want him to know that I’ve been fine without him. Even if that last part isn’t true. “Will someone be picking up the order or will you need everything delivered and set up?” I’m not sure that I want to hear whatever his answer will be.
If the order is going to be picked up, hopefully, it’ll be by him because then at least I know I’ll have the chance to see him again. If I have to deliver and set up everything, then I’ll get to see him for even longer. But I can’t help thinking about how awkward it would be to set up the dessert table and leave when I’ve been included in nearly every Anders family function over the years. Delivery isn’t something that I typically offer, I don’t have the time or employees to close up shop and deliver an order, but I would happily make the exception for his family.
I’m forcing myself to keep a calm expression on my face and not let him see just how much him showing up here has thrown my world off its axis. A hint of fear begins to make its way through me, a weight suddenly forming in the pit of my stomach as I think about the repercussions of him being here. Here in Haven Beach, here in my bakery.
If Jason finds out…
My life has been so seemingly quiet since the day I left Jason, yet his threat still lingers.
I’m his. He’s always watching, always there in the shadows, making sure that I remain… his.
He doesn’t want me anymore, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. I haven’t even entertained the idea of dating since I got away because of the fear he instilled deep inside of me.
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind delivering and setting up, that would be great.” Austin smiles and stands up from the table, looking like he’s ready to leave but not sure whether or not he should say goodbye first.
I finish writing down the list of items we settled on as well as delivery details before standing. “You got it. Thank you so much for ordering with me. Things have been a little slow lately, so I appreciate it.”
Ugh, why did I just tell him that?
He doesn’t need to know about the bakery business, Chelsea.
He just got back into the city. I haven’t seen him in forever, and yet he’s standing here talking to me like no time has passed and nothing has changed between us. But… hasn’t everything changed?
He left. He leftme.
He used to be the one who always looked out for me, and then one day it was like he didn’t care anymore. He was just gone. I want answers, but it’s been so long that I’m not sure if I have the right to ask for them.
He seems to ignore my comment about business being slow and instead says, “It was great to see you again, Chelsea. We’ll talk soon?” His gaze is settled on me, and it makes me feel as if he can see right through the armor that I’ve been working so hard to build. He can’t possibly sense how nervous he still makes me or the butterflies that seem to have takenup a permanent residence in my stomach. He steps forward and wraps his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug that I wasn’t expecting.
There’s no doubt that bits of flour will now be covering the front of his shirt. “It was nice seeing you too, Austin,” I murmur, my cheek pressed against his chest. It takes all of my remaining strength to hold back a groan as the citrus and sandalwood notes of his cologne hit me, causing a flood of heat to fill my core and memories to come rushing back to the surface.
He releases me way too soon. I drop my arms from where they were wrapped around his back, giving him a gentle smile as he turns away and walks out of the bakery. A sigh escapes me as I stare after him.
What the hell just happened?
4
Austin
I knew running intoChelsea Gilmore would be possible with my return home to Haven Beach. But I never would’ve expected to run into her by walking into the bakery my mother, Lara Anders, had been raving about. The bakery that she apparently owns. Which is something that both my mother and sister failed to mention. You would think that after walking away from Chelsea and everything we could’ve had, I would’ve moved on by now. Seven years is a long time to be away from the person you love, the person who has been your personal ray of light in this otherwise dark and fucked up world.
Yet the second I stepped into Buttersweet Bakery and saw her, every thought I’d had about being able to leave the city again once this target contract is taken care of completely vacated my mind. I’ve kept in touch with my sister, Hailey, and my friend, Ethan, enough over the years to know they’re both still close with Chelsea. I’d assumed that if and when I ran into her, it would be because she was with them.
When I left home, I knew that I was also leaving behind the life I’d built up until that point. The day I turned eighteen, my father, Will Anders, pulled me aside and told me all about our family’s history of running an organization called The Phoenix Legion. An organizationthat seeks to protect those who can't protect themselves. From then on, I knew that I’d never have the life that I imagined for myself.
Our family also owns and operates Elysian Suites, a small chain of luxury hotels located in major cities across the U.S. Each hotel offers everything from standard rooms, presidential suites with stunning views, spa services, fitness centers, as well as large conference rooms and ballrooms where many events are hosted throughout the year. The penthouse suite for each hotel is typically reserved for either family or traveling Phoenix members who may need a temporary place to stay while on assignment.
