“Is that why you don’t worry?”
“Ah.” He rolls his eyes at himself. “I worry a shit-ton about things I can control. The flavor of a dish, or the composition of a menu, for example. Getting you in my bed, for another.” I laugh, and he leans up for a kiss. “Things I can’t do anything about, I don’t worry about. Because I know the biggest threats are the ones we never see.” Matt toys with our fingers on his chest.
“What do you think I should do with the money from Lucien?” By asking that question, I realize I am one-hundred percent sure: whatever happens with Nico tomorrow, one way or another, I’ll be done with him by the end of the day.
“I don’t know how much it is, and that’s not my business. But I want it to give you options because those have been rare for you lately. I promise you one thing, though—you don’t have to make any big decisions now. Everyone here loves you, and you are doing a wonderful job in exchange for the Hobbit Hole. Black Diamond needs you, too. I’ll back whatever play you want to make, whenever you want to make it. Even if that’s not Summit House.”
“Summit House?” We’ve literally never talked about it.
“The pastry chef position is yours to decline, sugar. I quit taking applications. But you have enough to worry about. Just know the offer is there, whatever you want to do with it.”
I think about his words, then notice his expression gets serious.
“That includes me, sugar.”
“What does?”
“Options. You have a lot. More than me. If you want them.”
“And if I don’t need any?”
A slow, lazy, sexy smile blooms over his face. With the hand not tangled in my fingers, he flicks the comforter of the bed off his stunning body.
“Then I’m all yours.”
I’m back to work at Black Diamond the next day. Whatever this meeting is with Nico, I’m too restless to sit still. I man the bar so all I have to think about is filing orders rapid-fire.
“Theo.” I have my back turned to the seats at the bar, making a drink, but when I turn around, sure enough—there is Nico Donahue. Same sneer, same eyes both dead and full of hate at the same time. “Deny told me where I could find you, since I was in town.” Nico says the last part like it’s loaded for maximum impact, but as Matt reminded me this morning, I’m not alone anymore.
“Nico,” I say back, to be polite since the bar has customers. “What are you in Bear Valley for?”
Matt heads our way on a mission, but Quinn’s hand stops him a few steps from reaching us. “Easy, killer, your boy is handling things just fine.” My cheeks heat. I can handle Nico alone. For now.
“Not for you. While Deny was taking care of business out here, he also made some interesting connections. I’m here to sell Donahue’s Bakery, as a business and not just a building in downtown Little Rock.”
My gut clenches. To get Nico in front of them, Matt and Jack are pretending to go forward with the franchising deal. Still, his smugness is hard to watch. But Deny didn’t know about me and Matt, so Nico likely doesn’t know about my connection to the Manns, either. To him, I’m just an employee—Black Diamond’s bartender who will never step foot into a kitchen again, while Nico rightfully takes over Frank’s legacy by selling it to the highest bidder.
“Would you like a drink, Nico?” I ask. He orders high-end bourbon, so I quickly make it and set it down for him right as Jack approaches.
“Nico Donahue.” Jack extends a hand but no smile. “I’m glad you could meet with us. Jack Mann,”
The flawless skin of Nico’s well-pampered brow creases as he shakes Jack’s hand. “Why wouldn’t I take the time to come here to close such a wonderful deal?” Nico’s polished voice carries no accent, and he sounds like a news anchor.
“We have a conference room, right across the hallway, but please bring your drink.” Nico opts to finish the bourbon. Once he turns his back to me as he heads to the door, Jack turns around and gives me a wink.
Matt clasps my hand for a moment. “It’s going to be okay, Theo.”
“I trust you.”
Chapter 21: Matt
I follow Jack and Nico back to Quinn’s conference room. I’m close enough to hear Nico apologize for Deny’s absence. Apparently, Nico hasn’t heard from him, and I suppress a snicker.
A woman joins us, and Nico introduces her as Kathleen, his legal counsel, followed by Jack introducing me, Baylor, and Perrin.
“So,” Jack begins, getting everyone settled and right to business, “I know Deny initiated this conversation about a franchise agreement. But I’m glad you are willing to entertain my offer to buy the business outright.”
Nico smiles. “There are pros and cons for each course of action, of course.”
