“Oh,” she sighed. Well, if he put it that way, how could she resist? “Okay. I’ll be ready. I just have to figure out a convincing tale to tell my family why I’m going out in a formal dress. Maybe I’ll tell them I’m having a very belated prom night.”

“You’ve never been to prom?”

“No one asked me, and I was too shy to ask someone.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m a woman shrouded in mystery.”

“Then allow me to peel off every layer.”

“Man, you’re a master of making everything suggestive. How are you turning my awkward high school years into something sexy?”

“It’s a gift.”

“You’re such a dork.”

“That’s a gift, too.”

Her laughter trilled through the night air, and sang in her ears. Even though her cheeks ached, her smile held strong. She couldn’t help it. “I should be getting back. Since I’ve answered your question, will you stop bothering me at work?”

“Only if you promise to text me when you get home.”

“It’ll be past midnight.”

“I’ll wait up for you. I want to say good night.”

He wanted to wait up for her just to say good night? Her heart turned into pink goo. “Okay. I promise.”

“I can’t wait.”

Good gracious. He was killing her with sweetness. It was officially now her favorite way to die. “Stop being corny. I’m gonna go.”

“Bye,” he said with laughter in his voice.

She loved hearing laughter in his voice. She loved hearing his voice, period. Before she made herself sad thinking about not hearing his voice again, she burst into the dining hall and took up position behind the bar. The phone call had taken less than five minutes, but there were new orders for her to fill. Just as she finished pouring the last batch, Justine walked up to the bar.

“Hi, Tara.”

“Hey, girlfriend.” Tara extended a fist across the counter, and Justine bumped it as she settled into a stool. “It’s so nice to see you here. You should come by more often.”

“I’m usually in bed by nine like a granny.” She shrugged a graceful shoulder. The woman seemed to do everything gracefully.

“It’s not easy keeping the hours you do. What time does Aubrey usually get in? Four in the morning?”

“Yeah. She told me I could come in at six and she’ll do the prep work on her own, but you know I can’t do that. I’m not letting my boss do all the hard work while I’m snoring away.”

“Aubrey honestly won’t mind,” Tara reassured her.

“I know she won’t. More the reason I want to be there with her. She’s an inspiration.”

“She feels the same way about you. You guys are like baker soul mates.”

“I like the sound of that.” Justine sighed a little dreamily. She was too cute.

“So what do you want to drink?” she asked while filling new drink orders Alex dropped off.

“Aren’t you going to card me?” the sous-chef said with the confidence of a twenty-one-year-old.