“Makes sense,” I say, passing him another chair leg.
“We met in town? At the grocery store? You asked me to grab something that was on the top shelf.”
“Alright. That’s kind of close to the truth.”
“Our first date was over here. You cooked for me and I helped you narrow down desserts to make for the bakery. That’s how you asked me out.”
“I asked you out?” I ask, shocked.
“Yeah. My parents know that I’m against relationships, so I don’t think that they would buy that I would just ask you out.”
“My beauty and sparkling personality wouldn’t have swayed you?” I tease.
“It will just be more believable if it’s you asking me.”
“Okay, so you grab something from the top shelf for me and then I asked you out to dinner?”
“We got to talking and you told me about the bakery and how you were trying out some new recipes and needed to narrow it down. I offered to help as a joke but you took me up on it and we started hanging out together.”
“Alright. I guess that’s believable.”
Eli finishes up with the last of the chairs and we move onto the tables. They go faster and since there are only a few of them, we’re done in no time.
“There. All done,” Eli says, dusting his hands off.
I smile. It’s starting to look like a real bakery in here now.
“When will the mixers and everything be here?” Eli asks.
“Tomorrow. They gave me an eight-hour window so literally anytime tomorrow, but then I’ll be done with the big stuff down here.”
“Do you need me to be here for that?” he asks and I shake my head no.
“I hired them to install everything, so I’m good.”
“Okay, so I won’t see you until my parents are here then. I’ll text you and let you know definitive plans once I know.”
“Sounds good,” I say as he grabs his jacket and heads for the door.
“There’s one more thing, Eli,” I say and he stops and turns to face me.
“We’re going to have to act like a couple next week… maybe we should practice before we have to do it in front of other people.”
“Practice what?” Eli asks, but I could swear that he looks almost hopeful.
“Touching, holding hands, kissing, the usual couple stuff.”
I hold my hand out to him and he eyes it like he’s not sure what to do with it. I wiggle my fingers at him and he glances at me warily but slips his hand into mine. His palm is rough against mine and tingles spark in my fingertips.
I wrap my fingers around Eli’s and swing our hands lightly. When I glance up, Eli is staring at our hands in wonder and for a brief second, I wonder if this is the first time that Eli has done this.
I step closer to Eli, getting in his space and he watches me, his eyes wide and trusting.
“Now, kiss me,” I order.
My mouth waters, my whole body leaning into Eli. It’s like I have to taste him. My hips brush against him and pleasure slides into my belly, sticky and hot.
I lean up on my tiptoes, dropping Eli’s hand so that I can wrap my arms around his neck. Eli bends down, his hands landing on my hips as he steps closer to me. His chest brushes against mine and I shiver at the contact.