The Bucket List (A REVERSE HAREM ROMANCE)

1. ALBANY

"I'm not looking for anything particular or anything to eat now although I must say that the smells coming from the kitchen are appetizing." He smiled at me and by hell it made my breath catch in my throat. "Do you do functions?"

"You mean catering?"

He nodded.

"I'm afraid not. We—"

"I need someone who can cater for me at an event this afternoon and my secretary suggested that I try your bakery," he interrupted.

"Look Mr. . .?"

"Miller," he provided. "Severide Miller."

My eyes dropped to the hand he held out—a big hand with long lean fingers and a fine dusting of hair on the back. Swallowing, I hesitantly placed my hand in his. His hand swallowed mine when he closed his fingers and squeezed my hand.

"Mr. Miller, we—"

"Please," he interrupted. "I'm desperate here. The company who was supposed to do the catering cancelled and nobody else can do it on such short notice."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "And you think I can."

His eyes darted over what he could see of my body. "You do look like a very capable woman."

Colour flooded my cheeks. Was that a compliment or not? I'd never flirt with a man before so I was a bit unsure of how to react to his words. Letting out a nervous laugh, I pulled my hand from his and rubbed it on my jeans.

"It was a compliment," he muttered. "Not an insult."

More colour flooded my cheeks. "I. . .thank you. I—"

Shit, why was he messing with my brain? It was his eyes—his very intense and beautiful eyes that were the bluest blue I'd ever seen. The colour reminded me of something but I just couldn't place it.

"Albany, help a fellow businessman out here." He smiled at me. "I promise that I'll make it well worth your time."

Before I could answer, the door opened again, and the woman I'd been expecting entered. Lee bustled inside, her arms packed with bags filled to the brim with baking ingredients.

"Albany!" she exclaimed when her eyes locked with mine. "No, no, no. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Lee—"

"Take your stuff and get your ass back home this instant."

She moved forward and stumbled which set Mr. Miller in action. He moved and managed to save a few bags from hitting the floor. Smiling, she took a step around him and moved to the nearest table to place it down.

"Thank you."

"Welcome."

"So," she placed her hands on her hips and glanced between us. "What's happening?"

My lips parted but he beat me to it.

"I'm trying to talk Albany into catering at an important event for me this afternoon. My secretary suggested that I try you first because your baked goods are the best in town."

"I was just telling Mr. Miller that we don't do any catering or—"

"I was just telling Albany that I will make sure that it's worth your time."

Our eyes clashed—mine narrowed and his flashing with amusement.

"Would you give us a moment, please?" Lee asked and without waiting for an answer, she walked around the counter, grabbed my arm, and dragged me behind her into the kitchen.

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me. "What are you doing here? I thought we agreed that you wouldn't be back until next month. You need to rest and—"

"If I stay in that apartment for a second longer, I'm going to go mad," I told her. "It's too silent and there's nothing to do which makes me think. . .it makes me think of Crystal." I blinked back the tears. "I just can't do that right now."

Lee stepped forward and hugged me which nearly made me burst out in tears. I gave her a squeeze and stepped back. Reaching up, I wiped away the few tears that had managed to escape and smiled at her.

"I'm fine, promise."

She stared at me with narrowed eyes for a few seconds before she smiled at me. Nodding towards the door, she raised a questioning eyebrow.

"What does he need?"

I shrugged and turned away from her. "I don't know. I didn't ask him. We've never done catering before and we're not about to start now. I—"

"I've seen him in the newspaper two weeks ago. He's a very well-known businessman." She smirked at me. "And very hot, don't you think?"

Sighing, I shook my head. "Will you go tell Mr. Miller that—"

"Think about it, Albany. He's a well-known businessman. If we can score this deal with him, do you know how much business will pick up?"

I looked at him. "We get enough business as it is, we don't need anymore."

Lee gripped my shoulder and turned me to face her. "It'll be good for you. A new order means that you'll be super busy. You won't be able to think about anything, isn't that what you wanted."

I glared at her. "I hate when you're right."

She laughed and pushed me in the direction of the door. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the notebook and pen as I passed the counter and entered the front of the shop again.

Mr. Miller was still waiting but he didn't look as friendly as he had when he first arrived. His eyes snapped to me the moment I exit the kitchen. I gave him the best smile I could manage.

"What do you need and for what time?"