“You seem to be faring much better than last time I saw you in this kitchen,” Reid said, his lopsided grin on full blast.

“I cooked today,” Rose interjected. “Not in the mood for a fire.”

“Remember this moment when I never try to do anything nice for you ever again,” I said, brandishing the sponge at my traitorous best friend.

“Woe is me,” Rose said, feigning a sigh. Even as she teased I saw her sharp eye sweep over Reid, assessing him. I wondered what she read there.

“Ooh, just remembered my laundry should be done. Better go grab that before we dive into a full day of wedding planning!” She smiled at Reid as she backed out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with him.

“Sorry for stopping by uninvited. Again,” Reid said, looking sheepish. “I do come bearing gifts.” He held up his hand, brandishing a brown paper bag. I peeked inside to discover three glistening doughnuts. Even though I’d literally just eaten my mouth watered as the warm, sugary aroma filled my senses. I reached inside, tearing a hunk off of the chocolate glazed.

“OK. Forgiven,” I declared as the doughnut practically melted in my mouth. “But, uh, why are you here?”

Reid scratched the back of his neck. “This might be overbearing from a guy you barely know, but I heard about what happened last night and wanted to… I guess check and make sure you were alright.”

“That’s… nice of you,” I said, instantly suspicious. Was this more of his flirting, or something else?

“You were the talk of the Bread & Bean this morning,” he said, gesturing at the bag.

“Me?” I said, disturbed to hear my voice squeak. “But no one knows me.”

“Somehow it got out that the ‘witness’ mentioned in the paper this morning is the new guy in town. Although quite a few people knew you as the new Haven bartender. Don’t sell yourself short, people have definitely noticed you.”

His eyes glinted and I this I recognized. He was giving me an opening, and it was up to me whether or not to take it. Cute and, so it seemed, thoughtful as he was, he was still a Decker.

“I hope the criminal doesn’t frequent the Bread & Bean too, then. Might hunt me down to silence me.”

“I think you’re safe. Whoever’s behind these break ins didn’t come back to finish off Allen, after all.”

“Which, given his personality, says a lot.  That no one's gone after him before now is honestly so surprising.” Reid laughed at that, a loud bark of amusement that startled me so much I found myself giggling too.

“Is it the same thief, do you think?” I asked when our laughter had subsided. “Behind all these break ins, I mean.” Reid shrugged.

“The police said ‘no comment’ to that very question in the article, but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t. We historically have had very little crime here. This is… unusual.” He lapsed into silence, for once looking serious. Little frown lines appeared between his brow and I could see the lines of tension in his neck. Was this what it was like, to care about the place you were from? It looked tiring.

“I am alright, by the way,” I said, reaching out to poke his arm. It was as much to get his attention as to pull him away from the thoughts that had clouded his expression. “You asked before… and I’m fine, same as ever.”

“Good,” he said, his smile creeping back. “You just got here, after all. Wouldn’t want anything scaring you out of town already.”

“Excuse you, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I said, poking him again, this time in the chest. A surprisingly muscular chest. He smiled down at my hand, which I instantly retracted.

“Except in the kitchen,” he said with a smirk. I was opening my mouth in protest when his hand reached out, cupping my ear and freezing me in place. His eyes caught mine and held them as he retracted his hand, now holding a tiny cluster of soap bubbles.

“How’d you manage to get soap behind your ear?” he asked softly. I stood too close to him, unsure of what retort I should use. Perhaps fortunately, as none of them were terribly clever, I was saved the trouble of deciding.

“The fuck am I looking at?”

I peered around Reid’s broad shoulder.

“Oh, Allen. You’re here.”