Free Rise: Contemporary Romance (Creamy's Bakery Book 2) by Aspen Drake Page A

immediately averts her eyes. I smirk as I open the door for us.
    “So…” I’m trying not to tease her but I can’t help it. “That looked—”
    “Nope, you don’t get to say anything.” She glares at me, but I can tell she’s slightly embarrassed and covering it with fake irritation.
    “I’m happy for you. Whatever you want is fine by me.”
    She looks at me suspiciously. “Really?”
    “Absolutely.” I turn on the lights as we enter the back of the shop. “But I’m just sorry it didn’t work out with you and Joe. He seemed like a great guy.”
    “Well…” Becca’s voice fades away.
    Aaron’s voice comes from one of the work tables where he’s getting things ready for the day. “She’s seeing him too.”
    “Aaron!” Becca cries out.
    “Really now?” I ask, actually surprised. It’s not like Becca to play games with guys. She was so distraught after Cody went back to his ex that they couldn’t even work together afterword. And that was just one guy. Lord help us now if she’s seeing two men at the same time.  I groan out loud. “You’re starting to sound like my sister.”
    Becca can’t keep a flush of pink from spreading up her neck. “It’s not like that. Yes, I’m seeing them both, but… separately.” She turns her angry glare from earlier in Aaron’s direction.
    “Well, whatever makes you happy. That’s all I want for you.” I reaffirm my previous statement, realizing how insecure Becca is in this new situation.
    “Thanks, Mason .” She stresses my name and continues to glare at Aaron. Aaron just laughs and goes back to his creation.
    “Speaking of dates.” I wink at Becca and veer the conversation toward Aaron. “How are things with Paul?”
    Aaron gets a dreamy look in his eyes. He’s barely twenty, but has recently started breaking out of his shell. I didn’t think he’d ever get up the nerve to ask Paul out after seeing him at gastro pub just down the street from Creamy’s.
    “He’s good. I’m seeing him later tonight.”
    “That’s great, man. I’m glad things are going well.”
    “Me too,” he says before dipping his head back down to his work. He’s still a work in progress, but much better than he was.
    I leave the two of them in the back to continue getting today’s baked goods ready for the display cases and walk to the office to handle a few administrative tasks before opening up. My thoughts wander back to Beth, as usual, when I finally get up and unlock the front door.
    Several of the regulars come in, ordering items for their office staff on their way in to work. It’s not long before a steady stream of customers flow in and out of the store, keeping Becca and Aaron very busy in the back.
    One guy in particular has been sitting at a back corner table for most of the morning. Although I’m not positive, I can’t help but feel like he’s been watching me and my team throughout the morning. I make a mental note of his muscular frame, black hair, and hazel eyes.
    After several more customers make their purchases, I look back to the corner table where the man is no longer sitting. He must have left after finishing his breakfast. Ever since Aaron and I had to kick out some abusive and homophobic customers, I’ve been on high alert and on the lookout for any potential troublemakers.
    The crowd finally slows and we get our first breath around ten thirty. My phone rings, and I take a quick look around the room before answering it.
    “Hello, gorgeous,” I say, noticing Beth’s name on the screen.
    “Hi.” She giggles and I can just picture her shy smile at the compliment. “What are you doing?”
    “Just working. You?”
    “I was finishing up some errands in town, and Amy’s watching Isla. I thought you might want to grab an early lunch.”
    Scanning the small group of customers who remain seated at one of the long tables, I feel comfortable taking a break. “Yeah, we’ve slowed down. I can get Aaron and Becca to cover for