Boss Daddy: A Secret Baby Romance by Black, L. (good books for high schoolers .TXT) 📕

familiar truck pulled in beside me. I stepped to the side and paused to wait for Jordan to get out. He smiled at me as he gestured to my dress.

“Nice outfit,” he said.

“You too,” I said. “Fantastic commitment to the theme.”

We looked at each other and laughed. Of course, we knew what the other one was wearing; we’d picked out the outfits together. But I had to admit there was a difference in seeing him put together and polished rather than just throwing the outfit on to make sure it fit.

“You really do look beautiful,” he said.

I felt myself blush, and I glanced away in hopes that he wouldn’t notice. “Thank you. You look really nice, too.”

“Should we go in?” he asked, gesturing to the back door.

If I thought he was genuinely asking, I might have said no. It seemed much more appealing to just stay out here with him. But we had to get inside and help the others get set up and ready for the crowds that would be arriving that evening.

Ava was just coming out from behind the bar carrying centerpieces when we walked in. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw us.

“Wow,” she said. “The two of you look great. I love how well your outfits go together.”

Jordan and I looked at each other and laughed again. Ava didn’t seem to notice, and we both got to work, jumping in to help get everything set up. Throughout the evening as we were decorating at the space and sampling the special food and drinks coming out of the kitchen, he and I kept stealing glances at each other.

At first, I tried to do it subtly so I could feel like he didn’t notice. But by the third or fourth glance when I found him openly staring back at me, I decided I didn’t need to try it to be sneaky. Instead, I looked over at him and enjoyed the brief moments when our eyes met and held across the room.

It felt like the afternoon and early evening went by far too fast, and we were scrambling to get the final details in place before opening the door. We could already hear the crowd lined up outside, and nervous excitement fluttered around in my stomach.

I was used to being a little bit nervous before the theme nights, not knowing just how crazy it was going to get and if we were going to be able to keep up. That night, I was nervous, but it was because I wanted this night to be wildly successful, and to know people loved it.

I shouldn’t have had even a moment of doubt. As soon as the doors opened, the crowd rushed in and the energy in the space became sparkling and exuberant. Everybody looked amazing. While there were a few who had put minimal effort into getting in with the theme, others had gone a much more in-depth route and were wearing elaborate costumes and showy accessories.

Very quickly after opening, it got so busy we couldn’t let anyone else in. A line started to form outside, and I knew it was going to be one of those nights when we had to implement the wristband system. One of us would go outside with wristbands for those most likely to gain entrance during the evening.

Half an hour after opening the doors, Ava took a microphone and climbed up on to the bar to make the big announcement. The news went over even better than we had hoped. The customers cheered happily and yelled out their congratulations when they heard about the new bar.

Ava was still speaking when I had several people come up and ask for more details about the new location. Of course, I didn’t have a tremendous amount to tell them, but it was encouraging to know how many people were excited to see the new place and willing to travel there to be supportive. I made a note to myself to mention to Ava that she should start an email list of those interested in finding out the grand opening details. Perhaps the most loyal of customers from this location could get a special invite to a grand opening celebration at the new location.

“What are you thinking about?” Jordan asked from directly behind me, making me jump slightly.

I finished dispensing the soda I’d splashed slightly onto the counter when he startled me and put it on the bar in front of me so a customer could grab it.

“Just how people are responding to the news of the new location, and how generous they are being with the fundraiser,” I said.

It was a few hours into the evening, and already the donations were flowing in. It was incredible to see just how willing people were to offer their support, and yet again I found myself falling more in love with my new town and the people who surrounded me.

“Feel like taking a break?” Jordan asked.

“Are you taking yours?”

Maybe I should have felt a little awkward or embarrassed at that question popping out of my mouth, but Jordan smiled and nodded.

“Of course I am. Would I ask you if I wasn’t? Come on,” he said. “Let’s get some fresh air.”

I thought that meant we would go outside, but a rainstorm had started, so instead we retreated to the back office. It was good to be in the relative quiet and privacy of the small space, and we spent the next several minutes talking. The flirty tone was increasing, and the tension was building between us, but the sound of my phone alerting broke the moment.

I pulled it out of the small purse I had been carrying around and looked at it, letting out a sigh and rolling my eyes when I saw it was a notification of my parents depositing more money into my bank account. But as soon I had that response, I knew what I would do with the money.

Our break over, Jordan and I headed back into the