I Only Have Pies for You (Pumpkin Spice Life 1)

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a quick hug and nodded at Stephanie. “See you later, Steph.”

“Bye, Alaric.” Stephanie widened her eyes. ‘What was that?’ she mouthed.

Rosaleen shrugged, feigning innocence.

“Come on, boys, I have everything set up for you upstairs,” Rosaleen said, eager to get away from Stephanie’s knowing gaze. The two had become fast friends since she hired the culinary graduate nearly three weeks prior.

Grabbing two fresh sets of snacks from the kitchen, she worked with Stephanie to replace the glass plates and cups with paper ones. Settled with milk, Rosaleen nodded her head.

“Take your time, enjoy them, and then tell me later what you think.” They didn’t hesitate to dig in.

“If the grunts of pleasure are anything to go by, you’ve outdone yourself, boss,” Stephanie said.

“We shall see once the frenzy dies down.” It amazed her how much the boys were putting away.

“So, another lunch date?” Stephanie asked.

“He was my first friend here, and he’s just a few spaces down.”

“Uh-huh. Are you still trying to sell me the story about how you’re just friends?” Stephanie arched a perfectly sculpted, thick, blonde brow.

Rosaleen bit her bottom lip. “We might have just started a new chapter.”

“What?” Stephanie glanced over to the boys and back. “Tell me everything. They’re halfway to a sugar coma. They don’t care about us here in the kitchen.”

Dying to spill the beans, Rosaleen turned toward her. “He kissed me.”

“Finally,” Stephanie huffed. “Was it good?”

“Amazing.”

Steph held a hand to her heart. “I knew it. There was too much attraction between the two of you to remain in the friend zone forever.”

“We agreed this is a committed thing.”

“And how do you feel about that? You really enjoy your independence.”

“I feel ready. Things are falling into place in my life. Work has reigned supreme, keeping me from finding any kind of balance. Moving was about change and living my best life. It’s early on, but I get the feeling you’d be hard-pressed to do better than Alaric Bulley.”

Steph nodded. “He’s always been a great guy. I remember him from high school. He was a popular jock, but never mean or so exclusive you felt like you couldn’t approach him.”

“Hero,” she whispered. “I’m so out of practice. Let’s hope I remember how to date.”

“Slow and steady got you here just fine. Why change the formula?”

“You’re right.” The unease inside of her dissipated.

Alaric

“Uncle Alaric!” Matthew abandoned his swing and hopped down. Kneeling, he opened his arms to accept the bundle of energy, better known as Matt.

“Hey, buddy.” He smelled like freshly cut grass and little boy. His chocolate brown hair was disheveled, and his cheeks were flushed from activity.

“I missed you,” Matt said, resting his head on his shoulder.

“I missed you, too,” Alaric replied honestly. As an only child, his best friend Charlie’s son was the closest he was ever going to get to being an uncle. His little arms wrapped around Alaric’s neck, and he soaked in the seven-year old’s affection. Sufficiently hugged, Matt pulled away.

“Come and play wif me?” he whistled as the air blew through the blank space where he’d lost his two front teeth—and been generously compensated by the tooth fairy, of course.