Lexie James spent years dreaming about opening her own bakery. She’s invested every penny she’s ever saved—and some other peoples’ pennies too—into making that dream come true. The Sweet Spot is thriving thanks to her dedication and penchant for perfection, but she’s lonely and Hunter, the gorgeous guy who owns the gym across the street, is a nice distraction.
Hunter Elliott is Lexie’s high school crush. The timing’s never been right for the two of them, but when he notices that all work and no play makes Lexie a stressed-out overworked mess, he stages an intervention. He’s determined to show her that she can be successful and have a life.
First, he needs to help her find that sweet spot between business and pleasure…
Exclusive Excerpt
“How did you know that I live up here?” I ask, feeling more and more like myself as time passes.
He looks caught out for a second. “I stay late at the gym sometimes. If I see the light on in the kitchen, I keep an eye out to make sure you’re safe. I’ve seen you walk up here a few times.”
An involuntary <em>aww</em>-like sound makes its way out of me. Heat rushes to my cheeks as my mouth moves itself into what has to be a dopey smile.
“I watch you walk to work in the morning. Sometimes,” I catch myself, not wanting to sound like too much of a creep. “I keep an eye out to make sure you’re safe.”
He takes a step closer and the brain fog from my near-death experience dissipates. A new one forms thanks to his close proximity, and when he grins at me it gets worse. I’m close enough to kiss him now. He might have noticed that too, because he plants his hands on either side of my thighs and leans in.
I involuntarily lick my lips. Hunter watches that, then his gaze slides up to meet mine.
“Are you stalking me?”
I look down at my half-eaten cupcake and shrug. “Maybe a little. In the laziest way possible since it never requires me to leave this building.”
“Seeing you standing in the window every morning is sometimes the best part of my day.” He’s a liar, but the lies feel good, so I’m content to let him keep telling them. His flattery turns me into a puddle, and I’m about to drip off this counter and onto the floor by his feet.
“How come you never said anything?”
“Because it’s cute. I like it.”
Our lips are like magnets, inevitably attracted to each other. I move forward, I can’t help it. It’s science.
Only it doesn’t quite work out the way I’d hoped, because instead of kissing me, Hunter sighs and moves back far enough that I’ll topple over if I follow.
I knew it was too good to be true.
“Sorry,” I say as I look down at the floor, because if I look him in the eyes I might die of embarrassment. “I shouldn’t have.”
He surprises me by tenderly tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re in shock, Lex. When I kiss you, I want to make sure it’s real, that it’s not the adrenaline or the fact that I just saved you with my…what did you call them?”
“Bionic arms,” I repeat, kind of dazed.
He smiles. “Yeah, that.”
“You want to kiss me?” I ask, completely blowing past his cute little callback.“Constantly. I only recently became aware that you might feel the same way.”
About Cassie
Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie’s fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she’s not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80’s sitcoms.
