Page 8 of Crushes and Confections
“So it seems,” Vance agreed, running a hand through his hair. “I know you’re busy, so I’ll let you get back to your work right now, but I hope you’ll consider my offer to take you out.”
His blue eyes were locked on mine and he was still standing so damn close to me. Not that I needed rescuing, but it was hot seeing him concerned and jumping in to try and rescue me from the committee. I couldn’t deny that there was something about him that drew me in.
Maybe, just maybe, my daydream wasn’t out of reach.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised, watching the grin stretch against his face, those damn dimples nearly killing me before he placed a quick kiss on my cheek and went back to his table.
The rest of the day I couldn’t help but let my thoughts drift to Vance. The way he stepped between me and the trumpet-wielding welcome wagon at the mere thought of me being overwhelmed was so sweet.
And his offer of taking me out? Well that one was so tempting. It was crazy to hold myself back… but being in a pack with Riley and not with Riley? It sounded like both a dream and nightmare at the same time. I wasn’t sure if that would be too much.
Two hours later I was finally walking into my quiet cottage. The silence lasted all of two seconds of sweet relief before Riley was bursting in the door with a flourish of takeout bags and smiles.
“Girl. Today was pure and utter chaos. Did you see the trumpet brigade?” he asked as he dropped onto the couch and put the bags on the coffee table.
“They came into the shop to formally invite me to donate treats and make goodie baskets,” I told him with a nervous laugh.
“And you agreed,” he teased as I nodded in defeat. “You’re an easy target for them, they prey on your sweet nature.”
“They do,” I agreed. “But get this. They convinced our local grumpy chocolatier to participate as well. Or at the very least donate his sophisticated chocolates to the event.”
“No,” he gasped, jaw dropping open in a face that likely reflected mine when I found out.
“Apparently there were some very loud trumpet blares involved in his decision making. He likely did it just so they’d leave,” I laughed. Riley hummed in agreement and handed over a box.
“Mom sent us dinner again.” His mom was always looking out for us and I loved her for that. “Speaking of moms. How is yours doing? She's been quiet.”
“She called me this morning at five. On to her next hobby, I guess,” I explained before opening my box and taking a whiff of the amazing spicy aroma. I let out a little groan, her sandwiches were my favorite.
“Oh god, what is it this time? Wasn’t she just trying out pottery?” he asked as he took a big bite of his own sandwich.
“This time it’s goat yoga. Apparently a few towns away hosts one weekly and she dragged Charlie along with her.” My omega dad indulged her more than her alphas, I swear.
“Blaire and goats? You have to be kidding me,” Riley practically shouted before cackling at the mere thought. “She didn’t think this one through.”
“No, no she didn’t,” I agreed. “She barely handles rambunctious dogs. These goats crawl on top of people.”
“Text Charlie and demand picture proof of this adventure,” Riley suggested. With a wicked grin I did just that.
Claire: Tell me you have pics from yoga today? You’ll be my favorite dad today.
Charlie: You know I’m your favorite every day, darling. And of course I did. It was pure magic. Just wait.
True to his word he sent over a series of photos that showed mom’s face smiling then slowly shifting to pure panic as the goats stood on her back. Riley leaned in until our temples were touching and his scent had my mind blanking. You’d think a basically a lifetime together would lessen the response, but his spring rain scent was my safe space at this point.
My breath caught as our eyes locked, falling into Riley’s warm brown eyes for a moment before I realized I had completely stopped caring about the pictures. His tongue darted across his full bottom lip, and I couldn’t stop the sigh that left my lips. Thankfully, he was there as always, picking up exactly where the moment had left off and saving me from any further embarrassment.
“Oh my god, these are gold,” Riley chuckled as he took over my phone to scroll through them. “They just keep getting better. We should drop a hint to Janet to host one in the square for spring.”
“That’d be so much fun. Though I’m hardly agile enough for yoga,” I pointed out. We were close enough that we both knew I was the most uncoordinated person in Holiday Hollow. Maybe outside of Old Man Greer who walked with a cane. That didn’t stop me from cutting loose when we went dancing at the bar, but I did it with full knowledge that I carved my own path of dancing.
“You’ll be fine,” Riley said before getting stern. “Now eat, woman. I know damn well you’re fueled by coffee and no real food today.”
My cheeks warmed at being called out and I took a bite with a sassy look thrown his way. He rolled his eyes at my theatrics.
“It’s like I know you or something,” he said with a snort. “This is why we used to talk about being in a pack together. No one knows you quite like me.”
My chest tightened at the reminder. Nothing sounded better than being in a pack with him. But I was lacking some important parts in being with Riley, seeing as how he preferred men.