I turned and nearly collided with James.
“Jane,” he said smoothly, stepping into my path like he had been waiting. “I was hoping to catch you.”
My stomach tightened. “I am very busy.”
“Of course you are,” he said, unfazed. “That is what I admire about you. Your work ethic. Always so eager.”
I held my clipboard tighter than necessary, using it as a barrier against him. “What do you need?”
“I have been thinking,” he said, lowering his voice slightly, glancing past me as if he feared an audience. “About the cookbook. About our opportunity. You and I could create something incredible.”
“There is no time for that,” I said.
“There is always time for the right thing,” he replied, smiling like he was delivering wisdom instead of pressure. “I could introduce you to my agent. You could be in the city again, where your talent belongs. We would be working side by side. You remember how much you enjoyed my company?”
“My talent belongs in my kitchen here at the SnowDrop Inn,” I said, keeping my tone even.
James’s smile tightened. “Janie, you are limiting yourself.”
Before I could respond, Meri appeared at my elbow.
“Jane,” she said urgently. “Kitty needs you right now. Emergency cake storage situation.”
James frowned. “This will only take a moment.”
Meri stepped closer, smiling with alarming cheer. “Excuse us.”
She physically blocked his view of me with her shoulder and began moving me down the hallway with gentle force.
“I will catch you later,” James called after us, sounding far too pleased with himself.
“He will not,” she muttered. “Not if I can help it.”
Once we were safely around the corner, I let out a breath that felt like it had been trapped behind my ribs.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Meri patted my arm. “Anytime. I have excellent peripheral vision and a deep dislike of ego.”
“There is no emergency cake storage,” I dryly said.
“I know,” Meri replied without hesitation. “But he does not. Also, I could create one if necessary. I am creative under pressure.”
A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it. It surprised me, and it softened something inside my chest.
Meri smiled. “See. You’re still in there.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You,” she said, more gently. “The version of you who laughs.”
My throat tightened. “I’m fine.”
Meri gave me a look that said she didn't believe me, but she didn't push. “Go. I will continue my James intimidation tactics.”
I nodded and headed back toward the kitchen, mind spinning with everything I needed to do and the conversation I still hadn’t managed.
Lucy was reorganizing the prep table with the intensity of someone controlling what she could.
