Undercover billionaire and the bakery bandit.

apron, releasing a soft sigh. Her fingers were stained with flour, her body sullen from hours of preparation, but beyond the wearines

kery. Addie smiled hello to them all, but it was hard when she was deeply worried. The bills mounted, and with each passing day, they moved clos

in, announcing another customer. Addie look

n who had rented the apartm

friendly undernote it came as a shock. "Figured I'

in quite so soon, much less downstairs in the bakery. "Mor

e full of pastries, muffins, and breads. "It all smells tremendo

bakery might not be doing great, but within the kitchen, she was among the best. "Well, t

ex decided, sliding a five-d

her. A little ill at ease she said to break the ice, "So what

ate, trying to be. Haven't exactly hit it big with it just yet, but I'm

brow. "An artist, h

ere, but it's not precisely a steady income," he said, laughing

t is my job to keep it running because my grandmother opened it." She said with

ng weighted behind the words. "That do

Alex's manner that made her feel she could be just a little more frank. "It's justbusiness hasn't bee

Alex said suddenly, ev

, taken aback

y hands. Maybe I could help around the bakery, give you an extra pair of hands wh

ion flared. "Why would you want

means to you, and I get it. Know what it's like to put everything into somethin', sometimes feel i

h, but she'd learned the hard way taking people at face value sometimes got her into hot water.

hands. "No free muffins, I pro

gun to wear away. Maybe this man really wa

o eager to help, I won't get in your way. Fair warning: it

Alex said, smiling. "Just poi

ding. "Alright. I'll remember that. For now, j

g in appreciation. And hey-thanks for giving me a shot w

sed, "it's a weird apartment-so d

ittle character. It's wha

ang of curiosity about him tugged at her as she watched him lower himself into a chair, muffin unwrapped. There was s

't the time for suspicion. The bakery

g and then expecting nothing in return, but maybe-just maybe-this was the universe's way of tossing her a life ring. She needed all the

up from his chair and meandered back toward the counter. Addie

smiling. "You've got s

off the praise, though secret

said, leaning playfully

ot up. "You really

have offered

come back tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. sharp. If you can han

ows shot up and Addie c

for the faint of heart. You

ned. "I'l

Addie said with a wink.

s exit. Addie stood behind the counter and watched him disappear down the street. Part

came an added feeling-a change was in the