I shook my head and stood to follow behind her, not leaving much room for her to hide. She quickly stepped behind the counter, then slipped on a pair of gloves.
“Let me get what you have left in this case.” I pointed at the few cupcakes and pound cake slices she had left.
She leaned up from looking into the case and glanced back in my direction with wide eyes.
“Are you sure? You truly don’t have to.”
I chuckled.
“Why do you doubt yourself so much?” I asked, taking a page out of her book and ignoring her question.
She broke our stare down and began placing the different treats into a box.
“Who said I doubted myself? Just because I like to double check doesn’t mean I doubt my capabilities.”
Her tone had a little more bite to it than usual. I lifted my hands, giving her a silent alright, backing off before I pushed too far. I just wanted to get to know her.
“I’m not trying to piss you off. I just want to get to know you.”
She placed the last slice of pound cake into the container. Solana released a sigh, then glanced back up at me.
“I don’t mean to be snappy, but these days I have more than enough problems. I can tell you’re attracted to me, but I’m in no place for games or problems. So, can we just keep it platonic?”
Her eyes almost seemed to plead with me to let it go. But all she was doing was making me want to break down every wall she built around herself. But I would go at her pace — for now.
I nodded. “I’m not going to front and act like I want to be your friend. But if that’s all you have to offer right now, shit, I’ll take it. At least for now. Maybe one of these days you will entertain your neighbor and tell me your story. I’m sure you have a lot of shit to talk about.”
She smiled as she added each product into her system so I could pay.
“If you say so, Duke of Rose Haven,” she said in an exaggerated royal tone, then giggled.
I lifted a brow, then tightened my lips to hold back my smile.
“Oh, stop! I know I’m not the first person to say that to you,” she said with a giggle.
I couldn’t help but smile as I shook my head. “Nah, they haven’t. These folks aren’t that clever, love.”
Her giggle pulled something familiar from me—something good, something soft I hadn’t thought about in years. It was the kind of sound you lingered on, even when you knew better. And I did. I brought my hand to my chin, a smirk tugging at my lips as I glanced her way, then around.
I checked my watch again—it was time for her to close, and I was the only one left. I reached into my pocket for my wallet.
“Who helps you clean up at the end of the night?” I asked.
“It’s usually just me. I don’t need much help and I like to listen to my music. I find the cleaning to be relaxing.”
She glanced up.
“But it’s still dangerous. I’m not saying we’re in the hood, but this isn’t the safest place for you to be by yourself.”
Solana shrugged and then peered back at me.
“I haven’t had a problem yet. I can’t afford to hire anyone on full-time right now. I’m just getting started. You know Jessa helps with the Blooming and Aubree has her own business that she has to run. I can’t expect them to come running every time Ineed assistance. So for now, this will have to do. I will have to be more careful.”
I lifted a brow in her direction. I didn’t know why it mattered—but it did. Enough that I needed to be here for her. My mind ran through ways I could ease her problems.
“I’ll come at the end of the day and help you clean?—”
Solana shook her head feverously. “No, absolutely not. It’s not your responsibility and don’t you have your own business to be concerned with?” she asked, interrupting me.