no man will turn down a well-cooked meal, especially the no-feelings-attached kind of dining.”
I nod knowingly. “Okay, here…take over.”
I hand her the chocolate frosting and wipe my hands on my baker’s coat before pulling my phone out of my pocket. Rachael is watching like a hawk, and I can’t handle that sort of pressure, so I head toward the back alley. I prop the phone on my shoulder and begin picking up some stray trash while the line trills.
“Hello?” Dean’s deep voice reverberates into the line, and my stomach clenches with unease.
“Hey, Dean?”
“Hey, sugar butt.” I can hear the laughter in his voice.
“Are you coming into the bakery today?”
“Should I be coming into the bakery today?”
“Oh well…that’s up to you, I was just wondering…”
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if you were going to have dinner tonight?” I ask a little too fast and cringe with thankfulness that he can’t see me right now. I begin to pace, hoping it will quell my nerves.
“I eat dinner most nights, Norah.”
“Right…of course.” I scratch the bandana on my forehead nervously. “It’s just…I had these two really nice cuts of salmon, and I was thinking about making them.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Do you want some?”
“Of your salmon?”
“Yeah…I, um…thought you could come over, and I could cook for us.”
The line goes quiet for a second before Dean replies, “Norah, is this a booty call?”
My eyes widen, and I cough out, “No…a booty call? No. I just…I had the salmon.”
“So I’ve heard.”
I exhale heavily. “Forget it, okay?”
“Norah…”
“What?”
“I’d love to come over and have some salmon.”
Ugh, I hate my life. “If it’s an inconvenience, I can eat the salmon myself.”
“Oh, can you?” he asks with a teasing tone in his voice.
My lips thin as I sarcastically respond. “Yes…if you recall from our trip, I’m well equipped to consume on my own.”
Dean’s deep chuckle vibrates through the line, making the hairs on my arms stand as I recall how it feels when he laughs into my neck. “I’d really hate to see you eat alone.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“No, you’re not,” he replies smugly. “But hey…I’m good with hooking up tonight, but I have a better idea.”
“What?”
“You come over to my place and let me cook for you.”
“What? But…the salmon,” I stutter, not really liking the idea of being out of my own space.
“You cooked last time. It’s my turn.”
My brows wrinkle at the loss of control, but I hear myself grumble back, “Okay then.”
“Okay then. I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you tonight.”
“And Norah?”
“What?”
“This will get easier.”
I sigh heavily. “You could make it easier by torturing me less, you know.”
“But where’s the fun in that?”
We say our goodbyes, and I drop onto the bench, and a million nervous butterflies leave my belly. Dean was spot-on: I totally just made my first booty call. And I sucked at it. Not only did I suck at it but I also lost all the control I was subtly trying to claim.
However, if letting Dean take charge this weekend inspired a whole new croinut flavor, maybe letting him cook for me can inspire a whole new pastry. The creative side of my brain alights with that exciting possibility because let’s face it, my creative brain has been shoved to the backburner for far too long while I’ve been focusing on the Denver location and the franchise plans.
Now might be the perfect time for creative Norah to come out and play.
Dean’s townhouse is on the edge of Boulder, a little off the beaten path for a guy who loves the nightlife so much, but as I pull up, I can see the appeal. The homes look brand new with great views and a really nice bike path just across the street. Based on the people milling around, it seems like a community of young twenty and thirty-somethings. I never gave much thought to where I lived after moving out of my parents’ place when I opened up the bakery. I knew if I was getting up before the sun rose to prep dough, I needed as much convenience as possible.
I ring the doorbell and straighten out my slouchy pastel pink sweater that I threw on over a simple white V-neck tee and ripped skinny jeans. Rachael said since this was technically a third date, I should dress casually. She then added that since this was a casual sex situation, fire engine red lingerie underneath was a must. Thankfully, I have drawers full of this stuff so that was the easiest choice I made for the night. However, now