CEO Goes to a Small Town for a Weekend. The Woman He Meets Makes Him Wish He Could Stay Forever
An Unexpected Detour
Zayn Kensington had no business being in a town this small. The moment his sleek black Aston Martin pulled to a stop on the dusty Main Street of Willow Creek, he felt like an outsider.
The town wasn’t on any map he regularly consulted. Nor was it the kind of place a CEO of a multi-billion dollar empire would ever visit.
But after a brutal board meeting and a PR disaster he didn’t care to think about, he needed an escape just for the weekend. The plan was simple: check into the only inn in town, keep his head down, and breathe before heading back to the chaos.
He didn’t expect Willow Creek to change anything. He certainly didn’t expect her.
Celia Monroe stepped out of the small bakery on the corner, brushing flour off her hands as she squinted at the unfamiliar car parked out front. Tourists weren’t common this time of year, and certainly not ones driving cars that cost more than the entire town’s yearly festival budget.
She barely had time to wonder before the man himself stepped out. He was tall, devastatingly handsome, with sharp blue eyes that scanned the street like he didn’t belong but wasn’t afraid to own it anyway.
His suit, though casual, screamed money. Even the way he shut the car door had a confidence about it that made her stomach tighten.
“Are you lost?” she asked, folding her arms as he approached.
Zayn turned, brows lifting at the woman before him. She was stunning in a way that wasn’t manufactured, with wild chestnut hair pulled into a loose ponytail. She had bright brown eyes filled with amusement and a dusting of flour on her cheek.
“For once, I might be,” he admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Is there anywhere to eat around here?”
Celia laughed, shaking her head.
“You’re standing in front of it.”
He glanced at the bakery sign then back at her.
“This is the only option?”
She gave him a pointed look.
“Unless you want to drive an hour back to the city.”
Zayn let out a breath and gestured toward the door.
“Lead the way.”
Inside, the scent of fresh bread and warm cinnamon wrapped around him. It was a stark contrast to the sterile restaurants he usually dined in. Celia moved behind the counter with ease, tying an apron around her waist as she grabbed a menu.
“What’s good?” he asked, scanning the handwritten options.
“Everything,” she grinned. “But if you want something that’ll change your life, go for the peach cobbler.”
Zayn arched a brow.
“That’s a bold claim.”
Celia leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter.
“Are you afraid to take a risk, city boy?”
Something about her teasing tone made his pulse kick up a notch. He wasn’t used to people challenging him, not like this. In boardrooms people feared him; they catered to him.
But Celia had no idea who he was, and that was oddly refreshing.
“Fine,” he said, leaning closer. “Impress me.”
Minutes later he took his first bite of the cobbler. The moment the warm spiced peaches hit his tongue, he let out an involuntary groan.
Celia smirked.
“Told you.”
He shook his head, setting his fork down.
“Okay, that was ridiculous.”
She shot him a satisfied look before wiping her hands on a towel.
“So what brings you to our little town?”
“Business,” Zayn hesitated.
He could tell her the truth: that he was the CEO of Kensington Enterprises, a company that had its hands in everything from luxury real estate to tech. But something about this place, and about her, made him want to be just Zayn for a little while.
“Just passing through.”
Celia narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it, but she didn’t push.
“Well, welcome to Willow Creek. Try not to get bored.”
Something told him that wouldn’t be a problem.
