Jen chewed on her fingernails as they drove around the city. Brent showed her the first store, but it was terrible. She couldn’t imagine having her store at this intersection. The second location was even worse. But the third place showed promise. She’d have to do a lot of work. When they stopped at the fourth storefront, she thought it wasn’t too bad. She and Brent sat outside the fourth location next to a grocery store.

“That store is probably too much competition.”

“Let’s go in and buy a package of cookies and a cake.”

“Why?” Betrayal made her heart twist.

“Let’s assess the competition.”

“What if they’re better than me?”

“Impossible.”

Brent’s praise made her feel better, but she wasn’t sure if he was just telling her she was good, or if he really meant it. They entered the store, and she glanced around, worried someone would confront her. But why would they? They had no clue why she was here or who she was. For some strange reason when she picked up the cake, she looked around, praying no one who bought cakes at her bakery noticed what she was doing.

“Relax, no one is watching.”

“I feel so dirty doing this.”

He laughed and took the cake from her hands. “We had sex outside and you feel dirty doing this?”

“Okay, maybe not dirty.”

“Come on. I’ll pay.”

“No, this is product research. I can write it off.”

He rolled his eyes and led her to the checkout stand. She paid, feeling like she was betraying herself. All the way home, she felt off. Her nerves were bunched tight. What if she failed in the new location. So much could go wrong.

Once home, she set the boxes on the counter and decided she needed tea and coffee to taste them properly.

“What are you doing?” Brent asked when she started heating water for tea.

“I need to get the flavor profile correct on these. I want to make sure I’m positioning them in the best light. You know, if someone buys a cake, they’ll pair it with beverages, so I’m doing that.” She turned back to her coffee maker and Brent opened the refrigerator.

“We need wine too. I think I saw a bottle of dessert wine in here.”

“At the back, left side. Also, ice cream. I have a little vanilla left.”

Brent chuckled, and she glanced at him, loving his warm smile. He winked before he spoke. “Okay, we’ll do this up right.”

She finished with the tea as the coffee brewed. They set out the cake and cookies, then the beverages. It looked like an extravagant set up, but she needed to make sure her stuff could stand up against the competition of the in-store bakery.

“How should we do this?” Brent asked.

“Cake first, by itself. Then we’ll taste with drinks.”

Brent nodded and took a bite of the cake. His brows pinched together, and he took another bite but didn’t swallow. She chanced a bite and could immediately taste the difference.

“What is that taste?” Brent asked.

She swallowed her bite and grimaced. “It’s a chemical they used to preserve the powdered eggs and milk they put into the mix.”

“I haven’t been eating many sweets lately, and only yours when I do, but that is very overpowering and gross.”

“Try a bite with a sip of coffee,” Jen said.

They both tried another mouthful and Brent spit his out on the plate. “I can’t.”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? It’s not just me being overly proud of my baking skills?”

He shook his head. “No, love, it’s not.”

She stilled at his words, but he didn’t seem to notice he’d said anything out of the ordinary. Maybe he hadn’t meant love in that way.

“Dare we try the cookie?” Brent asked.

“I guess so.”

They both grabbed a cookie, and she took a bite. It was dry and crumbly, and the flavor wasn’t there. Brent chewed and swallowed then shook his head.

“It’s not worth it. Honestly, if your bakery goes in there, you’ll probably increase your traffic.”

She wasn’t sure of his assessment, but she guessed it wouldn’t be terrible if she opened her bakery at that storefront. Neither one of them wanted to eat the cake or cookies. Her treats were so much better.

After the cake and cookie tasting, she felt a little better. Brent made her feel even better when they showered. His support meant so much to her. After they dried, she lay in bed, staring at him as he slept. She was falling for him, no doubt. She only prayed he didn’t wake up one day and leave because he found someone better.

The next few days were spent trying to secure the location. When she first inquired about the shop next to the grocery store, the owner said he didn’t want to lease to her. Disappointment wove through her, leaving her depressed. The other area she liked had already been leased. So it was down to the other two storefronts.

A full week had gone by and no decisions had been made as to where she would go. People still came into her shop though she noticed the walk by traffic decreased when the nail place closed. Brent was still looking, but rents were too high everywhere in the area.

It was Friday afternoon, and she was about to close the shop when the door opened, the ding echoing through her empty store. She glanced up to find Brent looking better than ever.

“Hey, it’s good to see you," she said.

“Well, your day is about to get better.”

She dried her hands and moved to stand next to her man. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why is my day about to get better?”

“Because, I talked to the owner of the building with the storefront you really want.”

“The grocery store one?”

“Yes, that one.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet as anticipation rose. “And?”

“He was afraid you’d bring too much competition for the store, but they talked and the manager is happy you will open a bakery. They said it could actually bring in business for them.”

“So they think it would be good for them?”

“Yeah, something about people only making one stop. They know their bakery isn’t great, but it’s inexpensive and people will still buy the cakes and cookies. But, with you in the parking lot, people will drop by your place for their morning coffee or afternoon treat and then go shopping at their store. They see it as a plus.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, you got it. You'll have a store front soon.”

She couldn’t believe she’d have a place for her business. “When can I sign the lease?”

“Tomorrow morning. And I know a few people who can help you get up and running fast.”

“Oh God, Brent, you saved me.”

He chuckled and leaned in, brushing his lips over hers. “Any time, love.”

This time she couldn’t ignore the use of that word. “Love?”

His lips twitched up even more. “Yes, love. I’ve fallen for you over the last few weeks. You’re amazing. I love you.”

She swallowed over the lump that had formed in her throat. “You really love me?”

He nodded and cupped her cheeks. “Yes. You’re amazing and wonderful.”

“Brent,” she blew out a breath and shook her head. “I feel the same way. The last few weeks I've grown closer to you. I love you.”

He brushed his lips over hers, sending a thrill through her. So much could have gone wrong, but Brent had been there to help her with everything. Maybe one day she’d be able to show him how grateful she was. Life was getting better and better, now she had to figure out how to decorate the new store.