Love Is Always Write Volume 4

liked the striking contrast his almost black hair made with his porcelain skin and light green eyes. He looked at his right collar bone, his tattoo had healed completely, and it looked good. He hoped Chase liked tattoos. Of course, that could be assuming too much.
    Dressed and out the door at a quarter to six. He had time to walk to the bakery.
    When he arrived, there was a sandwich board sign out front that announced The Hearty Boys grand opening. There were tables and chairs outside that hadn't been there before. He hadn't known what to expect, so when he put a hand on the door and pushed, it opened. There was a jingle of brass bells attached to the handle.
    "Good morning," a young guy called out from behind the counter. Owen didn't recognize him. But, he was cute. This caused Owen to wonder if Chase or his brother made the hiring decisions.
    Before he continued that train of thought, he stopped dead in his tracks and looked around. The former Selanders Bakery had been mostly white on white. The interior was completely different now. The original brick work of the building made up the two side walls. The old acoustic ceiling had been gutted, in favor of exposed beams, with several well placed lamps hanging from long metal pipes. The wall behind the bakery counter was painted a deep forest green. Owen turned and looked at the few tables and chairs set up in the open area. Each table was inset with a glass panel on top of the wood. Owen looked at the tabletops, expecting art under the glass.
    "Some things are worth waking up for, apparently," Chase said from behind him.
    Owen smiled, and then turned around. "Your tables need something."
    "Yes," Chase said. "We're still working on the interior."
    "Nice music choice," Owen commented when he heard Rufus Wainwright.
    "Would you like some breakfast?" Chase hitched a thumb over his shoulder. "I can make us something. The kitchen is finally finished."
    "Lead the way," Owen said. When Chase turned around, Owen took a good look. Damn. The man had ditched the chef's whites. His ass was clad in well-worn jeans and topped off with a deep purple, tailored dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His dark brown hair brushed the collar of the shirt. Owen followed happily.
    As they passed the counter, the cute boy smiled and flashed Chase an iPad screen. "You've got a wedding cake appointment at eight. And your brother is coming in at nine with the contractor to look at the front window."
    "Thank you, Bradley." Chase opened the kitchen door. Owen had a momentary flashback to Grace's wedding when Chase had held the kitchen door open.
    "Wow," Owen said as he walked into the kitchen. Everything was new and state of the art. He raised his messenger bag strap over his head and set the bag on the prep table.
    "It's my dream kitchen, at least for work." Chase went to the walk-in and opened it. "I haven't found a permanent place to live yet, so the dream house kitchen is on the to-do list."
    "My dream house would have an art studio." Owen followed Chase, bumping into him and then backing up.
    "Separate from the main house?" Chase picked up a small basket of fresh berries. They came out of the walk-in. Owen noticed that Chase had already set everything up to cook breakfast. Chase leaned down and turned the flame on the burner. He set a pan over the flame and dropped some butter into the pan.
    "Yeah, Maman and Mom built a studio in our backyard last year. It's set up to get the most natural light possible. Electricity, a full bathroom, a small kitchen. I'm surprised Maman returns to the main house." Owen watched Chase toss ingredients into a pan.
    "Perhaps your maman returns for her lover?" Chase looked up and raised a brow.
    "We're getting ready to eat breakfast," Owen laughed. "But, you're right. My moms are still making with the lovey-dovey."
    Chase handed Owen the basket of berries and pointed to the sink. Owen took the basket and faced the sink. Chase stepped up behind him and turned the water on. Owen closed his eyes and inhaled Chase's cologne. He almost leaned back against Chase, but the man moved away.
    Owen washed the berries while Chase cooked. Chase passed a small metal strainer to Owen. He placed the berries in the strainer to drain. When he turned around, Chase was sliding something onto two plates. Owen picked up the berries and brought them to the table corner Chase had set up. Placed between the plates was a pitcher filled with orange juice and fruit pieces.