swear I’ve seen him before, but it’s all fuzzy."
"Right," Eli murmured. He was grateful Jace didn’t recognize Jack. The bar had been dimly lit, and his friend had drank more than him, so it wasn’t much of a surprise.
He headed back to the kitchen, biting his lips. Gods, he hadn’t been able to get Jack out of his mind, but he never thought he’d see him again. Even though a small part of him hoped he would… more than small.
He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but for some reason, having Jack walk out of his store without even saying anything—not that he could since they weren’t exactly alone—still… maybe the alpha didn’t care.
Then again, he was the one that walked out, so maybe Jack was under the impression that he didn’t.
Emotions swirled in his belly. Well, it didn’t matter, anyway. Jack was a customer now, nothing more. Eli would keep things strictly professional.
That would be the end of that. It wasn’t like he cared one way or the other. They’d slept together once. That was it.
Liar.
7
Jack
Jack couldn’t believe he ran into Eli. He honestly thought they would never see each other again… no matter how much you hoped you would.
It was definitely ridiculous; the man had walked out on him. But apparently, it didn’t seem to matter to his brain. Seeing Eli had his heart racing.
Yeah, Jack wasn’t sad to have run into the other man. For once he was giving it to fate’s plans. Putting Eli back in his path, no, he wasn’t mad at all.
Eli was a baker, and for some reason, Jack found that so adorable.
It was like knowing that little detail opened the floodgates and he wanted to know more. But the glaring loud voice in his head screaming the reminder that Eli had snuck out of his room without leaving Jack any way to contact him wouldn’t let up.
All he wanted to do was turn back to that shop and ask Eli why he ran out on him. Had Jack done something wrong?
Don’t even go down that road. No good will come of it.
On Wednesday, just two days after Jack saw Eli again, he was called to go into consult on a case. He’d tried to quit at his old firm, but when they found out he was coming over here, they asked if he was up for a sabbatical and transfer if he decided to stay.
He should have gone straight to work. But then he needed a coffee. It was a while since he’d had to go into work, and his first time in a new office, so Jack figured donuts, or pastries in general, would be a good ice breaker.
At least that was what he told himself as he parked in front of Sweets and Such.
"This is just a way of getting in the employees’ good graces," he muttered to himself. "It has nothing to do with seeing Eli again."
Gods, he really wanted to ask why Eli left so suddenly. Then again, he wasn’t quite sure he wanted the answer.
He could be in the back with a customer or something. You may not even see him.
Jack stepped into the store as the tinkling of the bell announced his arrival. As luck would have it, the cafe wasn’t too busy. All the customers present were on laptops with headsets on.
There was also no staff at the counter. Jack looked through the glass cases, and the selection of desserts was incredible. Why did he think they had doughnuts? "Cookies will have to do," he murmured. Oh, and macaroons and muffins. Even the pastries.
He wasn’t sure what he wanted, and he still hadn’t decided when he heard the door to the kitchen open.
"May I help you?" He would recognize that voice anywhere.
Jack looked up and saw Eli standing there. When their eyes met, Jack said, "Hello."
"O…hi." Eli’s eyes were so wide he thought they would fall out. "What… what are you doing here? Do you… are you…" He cleared his throat. "Did you need changes to your cake order?"
Jack shook his head. "I have to go into the office today. It’s my first time since the move, so I thought I’d come in and get some cookies. To break the ice, that’s all." That wasn’t all, but it sounded good.
Eli nodded. "Oh. Okay."
"I wasn’t sure you would be here in the front. Thought maybe someone else would run the register," Jack blurted.
"Usually, but we are slightly shorthanded. I was free, and this is kind of post-morning