Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 567(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
I stare at her.
“All the time.”
Just not so much lately, I don’t say. But I’m not ready to make myself an even bigger gossip feast for the staff.
“You?” Emmy snorts before she can help herself.
“You’d be surprised,” I say dryly, opening the crisp pink boxes with our newly printed logo on the front for the turnovers. “I’ve spent most of my life being invisible.”
“But you got Big Fi—I mean, Mr. Rory.” She flushes as she joins me in opening the boxes. “Sorry, I know you’re—”
“It’s fine, Em.”
“And he’s hot and rich.”
I laugh because there’s no argument.
He’s definitely hot and dripping gold, but I never expected her to come out and say it.
“You’re right about that,” I agree. “I’m a lucky girl.” A very lucky girl who wonders when the gods will come to collect to balance out the good in my life. “But that doesn’t mean it was easy. It didn’t happen overnight. He didn’t even notice me at first. I was kind of just a giant pest.”
“He noticed you pretty fast,” she purrs, popping the turnovers into the boxes. “And he’s not out there flirting with someone else.”
Aha, I knew this wasn’t about me or Dex.
“You know,” I say, choosing my words carefully, “you’d be surprised what might happen if you just let a boy know how you feel.”
Emmy gives me a brief, scornful look like I’m asking her to scale the pyramids. “What, like when he’s out there hamming it up with Sarah?”
I smile sympathetically.
“One of the best things about being the boss is that you see the things other people miss,” I say. “And you know what I see?”
“…I get the feeling you’ll tell me anyway.”
I nudge her and she laughs. “I see the way Jake looks at you when he thinks no one’s paying attention. If he’s flirting with Sarah, it’s not because he doesn’t like you. Maybe he’s trying to make you jealous.”
Her wide-eyed expression nearly makes me laugh, and I bite my lip. “He looks at me? Are you sure?”
“Poor boy has been thirsty as hell for months.”
Right on cue, Jake pokes his head into the kitchen.
“Nana’s here, Junie,” he says, but his eyes flick straight to Emmy.
I love playing matchmaker and I’m annoyed that I have to miss my latest chance.
“Perfect timing,” I mutter, putting down the last of the turnovers. “Is the van ready, Em?”
“Yep! Oliver’s already waiting out back.”
There’s my chance.
“Okay, Jake, will you come and help Emmy carry this?”
I think his head grows another size. The kid doesn’t need another word of encouragement to get beside Emmy. How she didn’t notice this poor boy falling down around her, who knows.
They’re sweet and innocent, even though I’ve got a distinct lack of faith in relationships that start when you’re still figuring yourself out.
At least Jake won’t treat Emmy like Liam treated me, though. He’s not capable of being a royal prick.
But I also doubt he’ll treat her the way Dexter treats me.
I have to hold back my smile as I walk to the register, where Sarah’s busy mopping up a spill on the counter. She gives me a quick smile and points to the corner where Nana sits, perched like a morning bird with a tall coffee and gooey salted caramel brownie before her.
“Hey, Nana.” I kiss her cheek and take the seat across from her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon!”
“Sit down, honey.” She’s frowning.
“Um, is something wrong?”
“Yes. You expected to text me about the big news and leave an old woman mired in suspense?” She empties a sachet of sugar into her coffee. The Winkley sweet tooth is alive and well. “It’s looking busy today.”
“The bakery, you mean? Actually… that’s kinda connected to the big news.” I lace my fingers together, knowing what’s coming.
Look, I never intended on telling her about Dexter’s arrangement with the store, but Haute isn’t Dexter, and I want to make her proud. Handing the store off to me was a gamble on her end, and I want her to know it’s paying off.
I need her to know I’ll keep her legacy alive long after she’s gone.
“Nana, I’ve landed us a great opportunity. You wouldn’t believe the orders coming from the golf course, and they’re not even having any special events yet. This year could be awesome, but come next summer—”
She cuts me off with a bleating sound.
My breath catches.
I’ve never heard Nana make a noise like a startled goat in my life, halfway between a yelp and a gasp. She presses her hands to her cheeks, her mouth trembling. Hot tears grow slowly along the line of her lashes.
I’m so confused. I don’t understand what has her so crazy until I follow her eyes.
Oh no.
Oh, crap on a cracker.
She’s staring at my ring.
About the same way a little girl looks when she sees a giraffe for the very first time in her life.