Seth felt the heat in his cheeks again. Blueberry. Well, he wanted to say that, but he was too excited tolook at the card and learn the guy’s name.
Chris Berger. Dream-guy is Chris Berger. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from shouting as he rang up the sale and handed back the credit card. “Thank you for shopping at Karlee’s Kitchen Essentials, Chris.”
Chris picked up the box and took the receipt. “Thanks. See you Thursday,” he said with another wink.
Seth tried not to gawk as he watched Chris walk out of the shop and into the sunshine, but damn, those mustard yellow jeans wrapped around an ass that Seth wanted to bite.
Chris turned to flash him a knowing grin, clearly aware that Seth had been ogling his ass.
Seth’s entire body flushed. But he kept his eyes on Chris until he couldn’t see him anymore.
Karlee finally popped out of the back room and scanned the store. “He’s gone?”
Seth nodded. “And I know his name,” he told her in a rush. “Chris Berger. Isn’t that a perfect name?”
She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Oh, God, am I going to get any work out of you today?”
2
Two days later, when Thursday finally rolled around, Seth found himself distracted by the sound of the bell over the front door. Every time it wasn’t Chris, he grew more disappointed.
“I’m telling you, I think this is my best idea ever,” Karlee insisted.
“Good God, are you still talking about the cooking lessons?” Seth was going to lose his mind. “Where the hell would you hold them?” His eyes took in the small shop and, even though it was organized, he couldn’t visualize the setup for classes.
The store was very cottage-charm-meets-contemporary and Karlee had an impressive knack for visual merchandising that came across as appealing, no matter someone’s kitchen decorating style.
Karlee’s Kitchen Essentials carried all the newest cooking tools and small appliances, as well as dishes, glasses, unique linens, cookbooks, and kitchen storage solutions. A small area also carried specialty items such as fresh herbs and homemade jellies, jams, and breads from local sources.
But these cooking lessons…he just couldn’t see it. Although, to be fair, she’d surprised him before when she wanted to open this store. Seth had assumed that once she’d graduated culinary school, Karleewould follow her dream of becoming a chef.
Of course, he wasn’t one to judge. He’d graduated with a degree in engineering, and instead of working in that industry, he’d dropped everything to become a manager at Karlee’s store. Not that he was sorry—he loved working with his best friend and the shop was doing well. More than well, to be honest. She’d made a good name for herself in Bellflower, Kansas, and had a lot of loyal customers thatrefused to order online or purchase from a big box.
“Would you teach the classes?” he inquired. That would be adding a lot to her plate. Nobody knew yet—because as tiny as she was, she was barely showing—but Karlee was pregnant and the last thing she needed was more work.
“No,” she answered, arranging a place setting of the new dishes she had found at a local Home and Hearth convention. The pottery was a swirl of blue tones, and when she set them on the pale yellow placemats with blue and yellow mosaic glasses, the display gave off a fresh Springy vibe.
The bell rang and his head swiveled, checking for Chris for the umpteenth time that day. Still not him. Seth was beginning to think he wasn’t going to show. He was usually like clockwork—every Thursday around two in the afternoon. It was almost four and still no Chris. Maybe the extra trip on Tuesday was enough for him.
“For your information,” Karlee said, interrupting his thoughts, “I found out yesterday that the space next door is still available. It’s small and already has part of a kitchen. It wouldn’t cost a lot to renovate and we could build a door from this side wall leading into there.”
Seth’s jaw dropped. “You want to expand? Already?” The bell rang again, but this time he ignored it.
Karlee nodded. “I know it’s fast, but I’ve crunched the numbers and it could really be a great addition.”
“But who would teach the cooking classes?”
She sighed. “I don’t know yet. I’d obviously want it to be someone who had culinary training.”
“You’re looking for a chef?”
Seth and Karlee turned toward the voice and Seth grinned when he realized it was Chris.
The man shrugged and put up his hands. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help overhearing. I’m a chef.”
Karlee eyed him, sizing him up, but her twinkling eyes showed no malice. “I thought you might be. I’m Karlee.” She extended her hand. “We’ve never really had a chance to talk.”
He shook her hand. “No, usually your cute manager helps me.”
Seth nearly choked, and Karlee laughed as she glanced at him. “He is pretty cute, isn’t he? Unfortunately, I’m not his type,” she added with an exaggerated wink.