Amanda opened the back door of the bakery and found herself face-to-face with a giant curtain of plastic sheeting. The banging she’d heard from the parking lot was even more pronounced inside. The whine of a saw—it was a saw, right?—joined in. “Hello?”
No response. Not that she expected one. She didn’t know how anyone could hear anything over the racket.
She parted the curtain and stepped through. White dust filled the air like a fog, giving her new appreciation for why half her bakery was draped in plastic. A couple of guys she didn’t recognize moved around the space, clearly the ones responsible for the sawing and banging. One of them looked her way.
“Are Quinn and Joss here?” she asked.
He angled his head toward the front of the bakery. “That way.”
“Thanks.”
He offered her a nod and resumed his work. Efficient. She liked it.
Even though it felt silly, she plopped the hard hat on her head and tiptoed her way through the construction, thinking maybe it would have been better to go back the way she’d come and around to the front of the building. Too late now.
It took her a minute to find the opening in the plastic this time. She felt around like a slapstick comedian who couldn’t make it through a stage curtain. Unlike a comedian, she resisted the urge to flail her arms.
She found Quinn and Joss poring over blueprints spread out on a makeshift table made from sawhorses. “The brain trust is hard at work early, it seems.”
Both women looked her way and smiled. She’d already developed a soft spot for Joss. Between her butch contractor aesthetic and her keen attention to detail, it would be hard not to. Truth be told, though, she had eyes only for Quinn. She was dressed like a contractor today—work pants and a plaid button-down over a navy T-shirt. And boots. Who knew she had a thing for women in work boots?
“Good morning,” they said in unison. It was kind of adorable, really.
“I thought I’d check on the progress.” She crossed the room to where they stood. “I might have also brought breakfast for the crew. You know, to stay in their good graces.”
Joss folded her arms. “Are you implying my crew needs to be bribed?”
Her tone was teasing, but Amanda wanted to stay in her good graces, too. “Not bribed. Appreciated.”
“Oh, well, then. Appreciate away.”
“It’s all out in my car.”
“Would you like a tour first?” Quinn asked.
“Yes. Yes, I would.” Quinn probably wouldn’t kiss her in front of Joss, but a tiny part of her wanted her to.
“Excellent. Joss, would you like to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Joss bowed, but when she stood, she winked at Amanda. “Especially if there’s breakfast to be had.”
“I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”
They started with the blueprints. Amanda had seen them at least a dozen times before, but not like this, where Joss could point to a line on the page and indicate exactly where and how that line translated to her space. Next came the good part—large openings in the walls. Joss gestured for her to walk through, so she did. Then back. And back again.
A decidedly unprofessional giggle escaped. “Sorry.”
“You should never apologize for joy,” Joss said without missing a beat.
“What she said, one hundred percent.” Quinn hooked a thumb at Joss.
“Thanks for that. I don’t want to say I can’t believe it’s happening because you’re both professionals and I trust you. But a little part of me can’t believe this is happening.”
“Totally allowed,” Quinn said.
Joss nodded. “We’ve got all the old paneling out and are cleaning up the electric on this side.”
“Already?”
Joss led the way around the room, pointing out where new outlets would be. “As soon as we get the insulation in and the new wall framed, the drywall and wainscoting can go up.”
“And you do that before floors, right?”
“Yes, but the flooring arrived yesterday. We’ve got it up front where the new counter will be.”
“Oh, that’s exciting.” She’d been disappointed the original floors couldn’t be salvaged, but then Joss had introduced her to the world of ceramic tile crafted to look like wood. The durability and ease of cleaning won her over in about two seconds.
“Would you like to see it?” Quinn looked at her with a smile she couldn’t quite read.
“Yes, please.”
Instead of going back the way they’d come, they kept going. The wall that would divide the decorating room from the seating area hadn’t been framed yet, but Joss indicated where it would go. Amanda paused and turned back, taking a second to appreciate how much room she was going to have. The blueprints hadn’t been able to do it justice. She let out a contented sigh and followed Quinn and Joss around to the front of the bakery.
Quinn put a hand under her elbow. “Watch your step right here. The subfloor is uneven.”
The casual touch shouldn’t have made her heart beat faster, but it did. And despite being in the middle of a construction zone and getting her first peek at what her bakery would look like when the work was done, all she could think about was Quinn putting her hands in all sorts of other places.
“Is everything okay? I know it can be hard to imagine the finished product when everything is such a mess.”
Amanda shook her head, wanting to dispel the concern in Quinn’s eyes. “No, no. It’s perfect. I got a little distracted is all.”
Joss offered an encouraging smile. “It can feel like sensory overload at times.”
It was sensory overload all right, but not the kind Joss had in mind. She laughed. “That must be it.”
Quinn took a few steps and turned around, expanding her arms wide. “So, this is where your display counter and register was.” She shuffled ninety degrees. “And this is where they will be.”
She enjoyed Quinn’s gesture as much as she did imagining how it would look. “It’s going to be perfect.”
Quinn tipped her head and lifted a shoulder. “I’m not sure about perfect, but I think it’s going to work.”
Joss lifted her chin. “Hey, speak for yourself. I’m aiming for perfection.”
“I only mean perfection is a problematic term when it comes to old buildings.”
Watching the two of them debate the semantics of perfection was beyond cute. “How about perfectly imperfect? Can we agree on that?”
Both Quinn and Joss seemed willing to concede the point. They finished the tour and Quinn helped Amanda bring in the treats she’d brought for the crew. As much as she wanted to linger, she didn’t want to be in the way. Or impede progress. She thanked Joss and said her good-byes, but Quinn offered to walk her out.
“I didn’t expect to see you this morning. It was a pleasant surprise,” Quinn said once they were out in the parking lot.
“Likewise.”
“Are we still on for dinner tonight?” Quinn looked at her hopefully.
“Absolutely.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can bring?”
She contemplated answers for a moment, then decided why the hell not. She looked down for a second, then into Quinn’s eyes. “You could bring a bag.”
Any worry or hesitation she had over being so forward evaporated as she watched confusion, understanding, and arousal play across Quinn’s face in rapid succession. Quinn swallowed, but didn’t speak.
“No pressure, of course. But we’ll have the house to ourselves and it might be nice not to think about driving home.”
Quinn nodded slowly. “Very practical.”
She smirked. “That’s me.”
“I like that about you.” The comment was innocent, but Quinn stared at Amanda’s mouth as she said it.
“So, I’ll see you around six?”
“You most certainly will.” Amanda made to open her car door, but Quinn took her hand. She glanced briefly at the building, then back at Amanda. “How would you feel about me kissing you in your parking lot in broad daylight?”
She appreciated that Quinn asked, but appreciated even more that Quinn wanted to. “I feel very positively about it.”
“Oh, good.” Quinn closed the distance between them and slid her mouth over Amanda’s.
Her eyes closed instinctively, but sunlight caressed her eyelids. The breeze teased the hair at the base of her neck. Quinn’s hand cupped her cheek in a way that was familiar at this point, but there was a novelty in the combination of sensations. Something that managed to be innocent and suggestive, like the way Quinn had looked at her a moment before.
When Quinn eased away, she almost whimpered. She settled for a blissful sigh.
Quinn grinned. “I’m going to have to do that again. Is that okay?”
“Yes, please.”
The second kiss had more heat than the first and left her tempted to pull Quinn inside. Too bad there wasn’t a square foot of privacy to be had in the bakery at the moment. The thought made her giddy. She’d never had sex in the bakery. Would Quinn indulge her? Not today, obviously, but maybe before she reopened.
“What? What are you thinking right now?”
She shook her head, suddenly embarrassed. “Only that I should let you get back to work and I don’t really want to.”
Not untrue, and it made Quinn smile. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Can’t wait.” Especially now that they’d established Quinn would spend the night.
* * *
Quinn returned to the bakery, whistling. Work had stopped. Some of the guys huddled around the boxes Amanda had brought; others stood around with cups of coffee and what appeared to be muffins. Joss stood off to the side on her phone, so she helped herself to a cup of coffee and a muffin. Sure, she’d eaten breakfast only a couple of hours prior, but these were Amanda’s muffins.
She took a bite and suppressed a moan, if only because she was surrounded by construction workers. It had all the elements of coffee cake—a cinnamon swirl through the middle and crumb topping. She sipped her coffee and let out a contented sigh. She’d never had a baker for a girlfriend before. Not that they were officially in girlfriend territory, but she liked the idea of moving in that direction.
When her phone buzzed, she set down the coffee and pulled it from her pocket. Seeing Amanda’s name made her smile. She swiped her thumb across the screen to read the message. There was something I wanted to ask you earlier, but I chickened out.
Considering Amanda had asked her to spend the night, her curiosity piqued. What’s that?
Um.
What could she possibly be shy about now? Go on. TBH, I can’t imagine saying no.
She hit send, then realized maybe the question wasn’t a request. Maybe Amanda wanted to know her sexual history. Or maybe it was something about the bakery. Maybe she was unhappy with something and felt uncomfortable bringing it up. Maybe—
I wanted to make a request for your overnight bag.
Pajama preferences? Maybe Amanda didn’t like her cologne. Or maybe she—
I was hoping you’d pack.
It took her a second, but only a second. And then her throat went dry and other parts of her did the opposite. The thought of strapping on with Amanda was ridiculously sexy. Having Amanda bring it up, ask for it? Well, that was next level.
If that’s not your thing, it’s okay.
Crap. She’d been so busy getting turned on, she’d not answered fast enough. Before she could make her fingers work, another message came through.
But I’m trying to be bold. And then, So I thought I’d ask.
In another time and place, maybe she’d be eloquent. This was neither that time, nor that place. Sorry, you melted my brain a little and I couldn’t type.
Amanda replied with a smiley face.
Yes. So many times yes.
It took a second for Amanda to reply this time, although when it came through, it was a single word. Phew.
Her brain had yet to resume normal functioning, but Amanda needed to understand exactly how welcome her invitation was. Can’t tell you how sexy it is that you asked.
Amanda’s answer to that was the smirking emoji.
A member of the crew brushed past, reminding her where she was. Something about being in Amanda’s space, even under construction, made the whole exchange even hotter. She moved to a quieter corner and considered what to say back.
Requests? Preferences? Things I should know? It was at least sort of a sexy reply. It also saved some of the negotiation that could be hot in the moment but just as easily could be awkward as hell.
I’m not overly picky. But I’m also not delicate.
Quinn’s already active imagination kicked into overdrive. Not that she kept an arsenal of toys, but the description gave her everything she needed to know. Perfect. She hesitated for a moment, then sent a follow up. Just like you, I think.
Amanda’s reply was a blush and Can’t wait to see you later.
Ditto.
“What are you grinning at?”
She looked up to find Joss studying her with amusement. “Nothing.”
Joss lifted a brow. “I thought we were better friends than that.”
They were. They’d known each other for close to ten years. “Sorry. It’s my own sheepishness, not anything to do with you.”
“What’s got you so sheepish? Or maybe I should be asking who?”
Joss so had her number. More than Arti, and so differently than her sisters. Like kindred spirits or something. Even if they didn’t spend loads of time together off the clock, Joss got her. And she liked to think the feeling was mutual. “Or maybe you already know and don’t even need to ask.”
That earned her a smile. “Fair enough. Do I get to ask about the specifics?”
“I’m seeing Amanda tonight.”
“Definitely worth smiling over. Why sheepish, then?”
Quinn blew out a breath. “She asked me to pack a bag.”
“Ah.” Joss nodded. “Nice.”
She could leave it at that, but they were sort of having a moment. And this wasn’t the kind of thing she could say to anyone else. “And to pack.”
“Oh.” Joss let the word drag out. “Very nice.”
“I’m going to try not to think about how long it’s been.” She could have said the same thing about sex in general last week and that had turned out all right. Okay, way better than all right.
Joss clamped a hand on her shoulder. “Like riding a bicycle.”
That’s what she was afraid of. “Have you ridden a bike lately?”
Joss laughed. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
“Wait, are we talking about metaphorical bikes or literal ones?”
“Who says it can’t be both?”
It was Quinn’s turn to laugh, then. “I needed that. Thank you.”
“Any time, my friend. Any time.”
She was tempted to linger, but Joss had work and so did she. “Text me if you need anything. Otherwise I’ll stop back in a couple of days.”
“Will do.”
Quinn turned to leave but Joss called her name. “Yeah?”
“I don’t expect you to kiss and tell, but have fun tonight.”
She offered a nod. “Thanks.”
Work was the last thing on her mind at this moment, but she had two projects waiting on her desk. She also had several hours to fill before she’d see Amanda. And as much as she didn’t like to think of herself as the impatient sort, keeping busy would help them go by faster.