Daddy in Disguise (Crescent Cove 7)

“Oh, Christ on bikes. Is it time for tiny harps and hearts shooting out of asses again?” Luc swung by to borrow Moose’s ladder.

Moose put his bandana away. “You’re just jealous.”

I nearly laughed out loud at that until Luc grabbed the ladder and took off.

He couldn’t be, could he? A guy like Luc who seemed to absolutely love the single life and going after every woman he wanted?

“Hmm, speaking of sore spots.” Moose raised a brow.“I guess no one likes being alone. Even Luc. No matter how many nights you’re with someone, there’s always one where you gotta face yourself.”

“Psychoanalyze someone else, would you?” Luc called from the back, slamming around tools for emphasis.

Moose shot me a look.

I said nothing. I had to agree on the being alone part. It fucking sucked.

I was tired of it. I didn’t want any more of it, not when I was realizing exactly how much better it was to have the right person in your life.

Macy and I were still so new. I didn’t know for sure she was the right person. But I was beginning to think so more and more with each passing moment.

I grabbed my plaid flannel and shrugged it on. “I’m going next door.” Saying it aloud felt like a declaration.

Fuck time limits. Fuck safety. Fuck artificial dating arrangements that felt more real than anything else ever had in my life. And if Macy needed a reminder of that, I’d be happy to provide one.

As many times as it took.

“Good idea. Fucking the boss will make her feel more charitable about you screwing up her fascia.” Luc gave me a thumbs up as I passed and I flipped him a middle finger.

“Hey, while you’re over there, can you pick up our lunch—“

I went out the back door, letting it swing shut behind me. Nope, I wasn’t picking up any orders. I didn’t know when I’d be back.

Hopefully, not until lunch was long over with.

The two buildings were joined by a parking lot and separate loading docks behind each building. I didn’t really want to go around the front of the café to find her. Somehow she was always busy.

Then I spotted cardboard flying. What the hell?

I jumped off the loading dock to cross the parking lot. Another huge piece of cardboard shot up into the air. Guess someone was recycling. Maybe I’d be in luck after all. At least I could sneak in the back door to Brewed Awakening and maybe convince Macy to take a long lunch with me.

The clunk of a pile of cardboard hitting the recycle bins was followed by a very familiar grumble. I leaned against the pole on the edge of the dumpster gate.

“Whatcha doin’?”

She jumped and whirled with her box cutter out.

“Easy, Killer.” I held up my hands.

Macy sagged. “You do not sneak up on a woman.”

“This is Crescent Cove, Mace.” I moved into her space.

She wiggled back. “I’m a hot mess.”

I buried my face into her neck where loose pieces from her ponytail slid along the neck of her light denim jacket. “You smell delicious.”

“Yeah well, my newest employee—former—just spilled a new order of coffee beans everywhere. I’ve been cleaning it up for an hour.”

I straightened, digging my fingers into her tight and grip-worthy ass. “No second chances?”