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around all summer now,” he sighed. “Yeah, I'm... everything's...” A timer went off in the kitchen and he caught his breath, quickly looking back at it. “You're not supposed to be here,” he scolded.
    “I'll come back, Kevin,” Eli promised, catching those brown eyes for just a little longer than a friendly glance. He winked, just to see the blush spread further across Kevin's cheeks, then sauntered out the door again.
    “I--” the man started behind him, but Eli was already walking out the door. Eli grinned to himself, his heart surprisingly light despite having just been told off twice by Kevin. This younger man had a serious and stern side that was fun to tease just a bit.
    Eli shook his head to himself. That was probably the worst customer service there, though. I hope he's just having a bad morning. Looks and talent alone won't get you everywhere.
    The grumpy little pout Kevin had given him when he saw who it was stayed on Eli's mind as he slowly wandered down Main Street, glancing at but not really taking in the other storefronts.
    It was much too early to crush on anyone.

Chapter 8
Kevin
    Kevin had never been more glad he woke up early. He'd been spoiled in his gourmet bakery job and had rarely started work early, but Darren had made him come in at five AM often to start the bread loaves.
    Holy fuck, did Kevin hate baking bread. He was never baking that in this shop, that was for damn sure. For that matter, he wouldn't have to get up especially early since they were only open from five PM to three AM. With just the two of them and the fact that they both had to be there to fill their respective roles, they didn't want to be pulling many longer hours until there was a demand for desserts and drinks at lunch or breakfast and they could hire staff.
    The extra hours this morning paid off, though, because Kevin got into the store before Troy was even back from his hookup the previous night to set up all the kitchen utensils and ingredients he'd brought in his checked baggage. Then, he took his list of alcohols, mixers, and ingredients to the restaurant supply store to get the order filled.
    They delivered within the hour, so by seven, Kevin was already elbow-deep in icing. He had to make some of the baked goods fresh before their opening on Friday, but he could prepare some things like icing ahead of time.
    He was glad that he and Troy had chosen simple but elegant décor for the place. It meant a lower bill from the rental company for the labor and material expenses of decorating, and it meant the dessert cabinet and bar were already installed, the art was up on the walls, and even the light fixtures were in place. It was like a turnkey business.
    “Of course, turnkey businesses come with... people to do things for you,” he muttered to himself as he slid his test cake into the industrial oven and closed the door. He needed to see how the temperature and humidity of the island would affect rising times for baked goods. “I think,” he added as he set the timer. Come to think of it, Kevin wasn't really sure.
    It didn't help that construction workers and fellow owners kept ducking in to ask if anything was ready to eat yet. He kept having to turn them away and explain that, like every other Main Street store, he wouldn't be ready until Friday.
    His stress levels rose as nine AM came and went and Troy still wasn't there. It would look bad if Rube, their mentor and Troy's business crush, came before his business partner even showed up.
    When he heard a voice that was much too deep and sexy to be Rube's call out, he sighed with exasperation and shook his head. They won't frigging stop. “We're closed,” he told the customer from the kitchen. “No customers welcome yet. Come back on the weekend.”
    Then, he let out a breath and tried not to stress. He set aside his oven mitts and ducked out of the kitchen through the doorway to follow up on that statement with something a little more welcoming.
    Oh, shit.
    Of