Page 16 of For The Weekend
“I know.” She takes my hand in hers, flipping my palm up to put the box in it. “But I want to. And I hope I’ll see you around, Roman.”
My name sounds nice coming from her lips. I nod. “You will. Have a good rest of your day, Eloise.”
She offers me a wave before disappearing back toward the kitchen, and I stalk out the door, the bell tinkling overhead. Out on the sidewalk, I study the bakery’s pretty storefront, a small smile tugging at my mouth. In the reflection of thewindow, I note that it does indeed look weird, so I immediately drop it. Then I turn and head next door to the tattoo shop, greeted by my daughter, coloring on a big pad of paper in between Juniper and Riley.
“Hi, Daddy,” she says, which garners the attention of everyone in the shop.
It’s Sloane who eyes the pink box in my hand. “Finally met Eloise.”
“Yeah.”
She stares at me as if waiting for more information. I don’t know what else to tell her, so I shrug. “Helped her carry a big bag of flour into her kitchen.”
Jay strips off his gloves and tosses them in the garbage can. “That’s what they’re calling it nowadays? ‘Carrying a big bag of flour.’”
“Exactly how big was it?” Ian asks, a teasing smirk underneath his gray beard.
“Big enough,” I say, handing the roll over to Mazie, who tears into it.
“Well,” Sloane says, her voice filled with amusement. “Elle does like ’em big.”
I really didn’t need to know that. My adrenaline’s already coursing thick through my veins, simply from talking to the woman. Now I get to think about how true Sloane’s statement is?
Fan-fucking-tastic.
“All right, Maze, say goodbye. We gotta get going for your dance class.”
My daughter hugs both Riley and June, then hops down from her stool to do the same to the rest of the family, but I stop listening or paying attention when I spot Eloise through the window.
She steps out of Sweet Cheeks, a crossbody bag on, hair upin a messy knot now, and her headband gone, so a few light strands get trapped in the corner of her mouth with the breeze. She tucks them behind her ear before bending to unlock a retro-looking bicycle with a speckled paint job. Though as I step closer to the window, my nose almost right up on the glass, I can tell it’s not the paint. It’s rust. And I wonder if it’s retro-looking or just fucking old.
Like the thing could fall apart at any moment.
She backs the bike away from the rack and glances over to me.
A wide smile spreads across her face as she waves. I lift a hand in response, like a trained dog. And damn, how I would follow at her feet if she allowed.
She hops onto her bike, pedaling away with practiced grace, and I watch until she’s completely out of sight. Only then do I pivot to Mazie, holding out my hand for her to take. But I can’t shake the image of Eloise from my head, her laughter ringing in my ears, her smile burned into my memory.
I’m in trouble.
But for the first time in a long time, it’s the kind of trouble I don’t mind finding myself in.
Chapter 6
Eloise
Aunt Bev
You haven’t RSVPed yet with the name of your date. Please do so as soon as you can. We need to get the place cards made up.
Aunt Bev
Unless you aren’t bringing anyone. That’s fine too. Let me know either way.
In the two weeks since I met the refrigerator known as Roman Stone in person, I haven’t had any more grain disasters, but I did have an issue with my bike. I only live a few blocks away and like to ride to work whenever possible. The exercise helps clear my head, plus it’s a perfect way to start my day with a burst of energy. My ADHD brain loves it.
It was one of those perfect September days with clear skies and a cool breeze, and I happened to ride past his repair shop since it’s on my way to Sweet Cheeks, when my bike broke, forcing me to walk while dragging it next to me. Roman saw me and popped right out to come to my rescue.
