On the way to June's coffee shop, he passed the rescue. Outside in a crisp red dress, Mimi balanced on a ladder, attempting to change the letters on the billboard in front of their building. Even though no one was holding the ladder for her, he forced himself to keep driving. Not my problem. She should have someone spotting her, but that someone is not me. Glancing in his mirror, he saw her knee bend and one foot came off the step as she reached up. Grumbling, he swung into the mechanic's parking lot and turned around.
..
"So, is this how you plan to end it?"
As she startled, the ladder rocked. Her eyes went wide when she saw him below her. "No."
Adam stepped forward and steadied her ladder on instinct. When he looked up, all he saw was crinoline and the cutest round bottom he had ever seen in his life encased in white panties. Cherries were printed all over them. Jesus Christ, he was only human. Was the universe trying to kill him?
From above, she said, "Thank you, Adam. I'm almost done. Did you stop by to get the photo of the big check?"
He hadn't even thought of it today. "I forgot to put it in the truck. It's still at work. Marge insisted I leave the office for lunch."
Starting down the stairs, taking tidy steps, her bright red cherry earrings brushed against her neck. "It's almost two and you haven't eaten?"
"Not today," he said, smiling down at her. Mimi did not know she'd shown him her underwear. "I was going to June's for a sandwich, coffee and cake. Wanna go?" Unlocking the ladder, he eased a section down.
After placing the box of letters on the ground, Mimi wiped her hands. "Their cupcakes were outstanding. I bet my people would like a coffee time treat. Care to give me a ride?"
To keep from tucking a stray lock of her red hair behind her ear, Adam gripped his hand into a fist.
She picked up the box. "Let me put these inside. We could swing by your office after the coffee shop and take the picture of the big check in front of your business for the next post." He hefted the ladder. Mimi turned at the door. "Unless you mind."
"I don't mind. It'd be nice for promotion reasons, and I'm enjoying your company." Tension eased at the base of his head, and his skull stopped throbbing.
...
When he swung the cafe door open for her, she ducked under his arm instead of waiting for him to move out of the way.
"Oh, I wanted to tell you... well, to say thank you." Her hands waved about, her nails bright red. "For the kiss experiment. I misjudged kissing."
Grin spreading across his face, he said, "I like to be helpful."
Toying with an earing, she turned shyly away from him. He followed her through the busy cafe until they stopped at an empty table close to the window and she dropped into her chair before he could draw it out for her.
Sitting down, he offered, "If you want to practice more, I can make time."
She reached over and playfully pushed his arm as if she thought he was kidding. There was no artifice in her. Her heart beat visibly on her sleeve. "Do you ever lie?"
Menu in hand, she looked up. "Do I?"
"Well?"
"Sometimes. Doesn't everyone? I don't tell my brothers that they can't sing."
"Are their voices bad?"
"Mating cats are more on pitch."
"I'll remember that if I'm ever invited to a family sing a long." He flipped open his menu and pondered the sandwiches. "The club sandwich is pretty good."
"I brought left over roast for lunch." She set her menu down primly on the table. "I am here for their famous cake."
"Good choice. I would recommend the carrot cake."
All smiles, a teenage server sidled up to their table. Adam reached out and took Mimi's hand. "Tell me anything, everything. I need a distraction today."
The server giggled, and Adam noticed the phone in her hand. The young woman said, "I hope you don't mind." She looked down at the picture she had just taken and smiled. "Aren't you two the hero hotty and cutie cupcake couple?"
Cheeks pinked, Mimi drew back her hand.
"We can link to you." The teen focused on her phone, thumbs flying. "The owner will be pumped about this photograph. Can I post that you like our food?"
"Is that okay with you, Mimi?"
Brows lifted, Mimi asked the server, "Does that mean we can get some free cake?"
"Sure, you guys are famous." With a giant grin on her face, the girl headed to get their coffee.
He offered his hand to Mimi again, leaving it open on the table. "Tell me about your day, so I can forget mine."
After a brief hesitation, she put her hand in his. "I guess Jen's Social Media Campaign is working."
"Definitely, two of my best guys asked to meet me later today." He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. "They want more responsibility and to have their own independent work crews. Which means hiring more people, and letting go of some control."
"Is that hard for you?"
"When I do something, I know it's done right."
"Have these men ever let you down?"
"No, they've both been with me from the beginning."
"Then why not try?"
"I may have no options but to trust them. My Mom has put herself in a terrible mess."
"Is she sick?"
"No sweet summer child," he toyed with the silver heart ring on her pinky finger. "She is a gambling addict, and secretly started making bets again sometime this last year. She is about to lose her house. My little sister is frantic."
"Adam, that is awful. What are you going to do?"
"Well, tonight my sister and I are going to do an intervention."
"I'm so sorry." When his sandwich arrived, he reluctantly released her hand. Watching him over the rim, Mimi cradled her coffee cup with both hands like a little kid.
"I thought our plan was for you to tell me about your life, so I could forget the train wreck that is my family."
"What do you want to know?"
"What do you dream of, Cutie Cupcake?"
Eyes sparkling, she said, "I have plans, not just dreams. When we expand the rescue and add a retirement home for farm animals, we will serve the community better. Every week, we get calls about abandoned farm animals, but we have no room." Bubbling with excitement, she added, "I even found the perfect property. The price is excellent, so I'm saving for the down payment. Each month, I tuck away my pennies. After five years, it's adding up. The Millers built the place, and the barn is in great shape, but their kids don't want the property. They like the city."
Her cake came, and his second coffee. Neither slowed her down. When she talked about her dreams, her excitement radiated outward and he caught a contact high. Adam found himself smiling.
"I know where my kitchen garden will go. There is a half shade, half sun spot close to the house."
As he relaxed his shoulders, he imagined her standing in a garden, life abundant all around her. Nodding, he took a bite of his toasted sandwich.
"Even though the farm house is small, it's plenty for me. It would feel so nice to get out from under my parents' protective glare. I'm twenty-five, but they forget that all the time."
With her first bite of cake on her fork, she gestured with it as she talked. "The barn is gorgeous. They don't make them like that anymore. And I read this article about field rotation." When she popped the first bite into her mouth, she groaned.
The sound made his dick flex. "Is it good?"
