She pauses, turning her head toward me, her jaw falling open as surprise flashes across her face. Her eyes look down at the bouquet of flowers in my hand, and a tiny frown forms on her face.
Is that jealousy?Sure as hell hope so.
It shouldn’t make me feel good, but it does. It’s as if she shakes the shock from her mind and continues serving people.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask.
“You want to help me?” she questions, turning again as she hands over the cash and gives someone back their change.
“You look like you need it. So tell me what I need to do?” I ask again, only this time my voice is stern.
“Right, thanks. Um … if you can pack the sweets into the box while I serve, that would be great,” she says, giving me a relieved smile.
I can do this.
I’ve got her.
We work for the next couple of hours in perfect synchronicity as we move around each other, making a great team until the madness dies down and we can finally take a seat.
“Thanks so much for helping me. I wasn’t expecting it to be this crazy.” She sighs, taking a sip from her water bottle.
“Anytime. I couldn’t stand there and watch you struggle like that.” I grab a bottle of water for myself. “Did you make these?” I ask, pointing to the treats.
“Yeah, I did. Would you like to try one?” she asks, pointing at the last couple of cupcakes in the display cabinet.
“Sure.”
She hands me what looks to be a chocolate cupcake with an incredible topper, and I take a bite into it.Holy shit, this is good.I take another bite, and before I know it, it’s gone. She sits there staring at me waiting in anticipation for my thoughts.
“This was fucking delicious,” I tell her honestly, her face lighting up by my compliment. “You’re good. Like … really good,” I add, which makes her laugh.
“Thanks. It’s my love, my passion …”
“Well, you’re born to do it. Can’t wait to taste more. How come you don’t do this full-time?”
Elle lets out a sigh. “I work where I work so I can save to buy my own bakery. It’s something I’ve been working toward for a while now,” she confesses.
“I’ll be the first one there on opening day buying everything you make. Because this is damn good,” I tell her.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm,” she says with a smile.
“If you need any business advice, I’m happy to help. I’ve started many nightclubs and businesses over the years. I know the ins and outs.”
She nods slowly. “You’d help me?”
“Of course!”
“Why?” she asks, and her question is like a punch to the gut, but I get what she’s saying. She’s being cautious of my intentions, and I understand that.
“Because when I see a business that looks like it’s going to be a success, I’m willing to help them. I know how hard it is starting out. Believe me, I started small too. I’ve mentored many small business owners over the years.”
Elle bites her bottom lip as she mulls over my offer. “We’re not meant to have contact outside of the club, remember?”
“If we have to talk about it between those four walls of the club during our dates, then so be it,” I tell her honestly.
“I don’t want to be your charity case,” she states.
“No! You’ve got me all wrong,” I say, standing and walking over to her. “I wouldn’t have mentioned my help if I didn’t think you had the talent to make something of it. I don’t offer my help to women I think are cute, that’s not how I do business. Did you not see the lineup out the front of your stall?” I ask, reaching out and running my thumb across her cheek where there’s a bit of icing smeared across it before licking it off my thumb. Her green eyes darken with arousal for the briefest of moments before she pushes it away.