43

BPOV

"Hmm. Don't go," Edward pleads, his voice gravel and grit. "Stay here with me."

I swing my legs off the bed and grab my bra, ignoring his roaming hands and pleading eyes. "You know I can't do that. Lauren is doing me a favor, and I'm already late."

With a dejected sign, he falls back on the bed. "That's your fault."

I laugh and button my jeans. "How so?"

Edward rolls over and rests his head on his arm. "You came over here for coffee and seduced me," he quips.

"Edward." I snort. "I came to drop off my dog, and you were in nothing but your underwear. This is your fault."

"Eh, semantics," he says, not taking his eyes off me. "So, what's the plan for today?"

I tell him I'll be picking up the commercial real estate agent that Lauren found for me at the office, and we'll be visiting a few vacant businesses to see if I'll be interested in one for my bakery. I have a certain idea in mind, and if the guy is anything like Lauren, I know he'll do his best to find me the perfect spot.

"Be careful."

"What are you going to do while I'm gone?"

He grins. "Well, considering one of my girls is abandoning me, I figured I'd take my second favorite to our favorite haunts."

"Really?"

"Yup. Her favorite dog park, my favorite pub, and then the pet store. She doesn't have enough toys at my house, and I plan on holding her mom hostage so I want her comfortable."

I climb back on the bed and straddle his hips. "Hostage, you say?"

He nods. "We're also stopping by the hardware store to pick up the chains."

"Hmm. Kinky." I kiss him softly, trapping his bottom lip between my teeth. "I gotta go."

An hour later, Eric, Lauren's close friend and coworker, and I have been to three different locations, and while they've all been nice, none of them have spoken to me, and I'm beginning to lose hope.

"Okay, Bella," Eric says. "I have one more spot, ready for viewing today. The space is smaller than the first two, but it's fully furnished for a bakery. The previous owners shipped out a few months ago and are kind of desperate to sell everything instead of consolidating."

"You mean they left everything?"

"Yes, ma'am."

I follow his directions to a small but busy strip mall, and he unlocks the doors to the perfect spot.

I can already envision the display cases full of treats and things. The small sets of tables and chairs need to be refinished, but they'll be perfect for owners to sit with their pets while they enjoy my goods.

Maybe I can hire a barista so owners can enjoy their time here as well.

Eric is excited to show me the fully furnished kitchen, and my mind is made up.

"Make them a cash offer they can't refuse."

He tells me that he'll make a call when we get back to his office, and three hours later, I leave with a set of keys to my new bakery so I can show Edward.

I find him and Wanda in his back yard, playing with at least twenty tennis balls. He's obviously trying to teach her how to fetch.

"Come on, pretty girl," he coos. "Go get the ball and bring it back to me, and I'll buy you a pony."

"A pony." I snort, getting his attention. "You're going to buy my dog a pony?"

"I've been at this for two hours." He throws a ball, and Wanda just watches it bounce in the grass. "It's obvious she's more stubborn than you."

He kisses me and asks how today went, and I jangle the keys in his face.

"Wanna come see my barkery?"