Brad Drummond loves his job at the Cherry Orchard Community Center, but he’s lonely. Throwing himself into his work hasn’t stopped him from wishing he would meet someone special.
Geraldine’s Chocolates has purchased the old factory on the edge of town and Theo Hyatt is tasked with finding enough people to fill every position.
As Theo and Brad work together to host a job fair, their attraction is off-the-charts and they hope for a future together. But Theo has severe anxiety that threatens to derail their budding relationship. Can Theo trust his heart and let Brad in?
Brad laughed, enjoying the teasing way Theo talked, happy to see him doing much better than a few minutes ago. His rich brown eyes sparkled as they had when Brad first met him and something in Brad’s chest clicked. Like an old wooden box that had been packed away for too long, a simple turn of the key and his heart opened. His heart was bare. His breath caught in his throat and every cell in his body vibrated with energy. Suddenly he could barely sit still.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Theo’s face. Brad’s eyes roamed the pale skin, the cinnamon freckles sprinkled across his nose. His gaze dropped to Theo’s pink, full lips. Theo’s tongue darted out and licked his bottom lip and Brad nearly moaned. He brought his eyes up to meet Theo’s and Brad saw need in them. The very same need coursing through his own body.
The waitress popped back with drinks, including a new one for Theo. “Food should be out in a few minutes,” she updated them.
Brad barely heard her.
River cleared his throat, dramatically. “Are we like that, Ethan?”
Brad tore his gaze from Theo and turned to frown at River. He shook his head as Ethan pressed a kiss to River’s temple and they were lost in their own cocoon for a moment.
Even though he was happy for his friends, sometimes it was hard to watch them. They were still in that honeymoon phase of love. But really, Brad wanted that for himself. Wanted someone he could hold. Someone he could take care of. He knew he had a lot of love to give, he just didn’t know what to do about it most of the time. A glance at Theo showed he was watching the two of them as well. Theo looked ... hopeful.
Brad slid his hand to Theo’s leg and squeezed gently as he leaned over and whispered, “Don’t mind them. They’re just head-over-heels in love with each other. I’m a little jealous to be honest.”
Theo sighed and brought his gaze to meet Brad’s again. “They’re sweet,” he whispered back.
Brad fought the urge to lean in and nuzzle Theo’s ear, as he had in the bathroom. It wasn’t the place or time. They’d never even been on a date, although Brad would be willing to call this a date if it meant he could pull Theo into his own arms and hold him close. Instead, he cleared his throat and started to pull his hand away. Theo stopped him by gently laying his hand on top of Brad’s.
River and Ethan forgotten, Theo straightened his shoulders and turned to look into Brad’s eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Brad broke into a grin and his chest filled with excitement because he knew it had taken a lot of courage for Theo to do what he’d just done. And then it was Theo’s turn to whisper a confession, scooting close enough that Theo’s breath tickled Brad’s ear.
“I liked it when you called me ... Teddy.”
“Yeah?” Brad’s voice came out hoarse.
“Uh-huh.”
“Teddy,” he whispered. “My Teddy.”
Theo flushed, his skin turning from pale to pink to crimson and he moved his thigh against Brad’s, the pressure spreading heat to Brad’s skin.
