When she gets herself under control, she looks up at her husband with her eyes sparkling with something like determination and knowing. I don’t know why, but it makes me want to squirm. It’s like they’re having a whole conversation with their eyes. After Beckett gives a single nod, he focuses on me.
“I’m the owner of Banks Ink.,” he informs me, “and I’m always looking for ways to expand the business. We’ve taken over most of my little strip of shops where I opened my tattoo studio. One space was converted into a photo studio for Ellie,” he points to the woman with the grey hair who is getting some books signed, “along with a few offices. We also created Banks Art. which is a gallery for local artists. I recently bought the space next to it and have been looking for a business to partner with and get in that space.”
I blink at the man a few times and nod. “Okay?” I clear my throat and try not to sound so confused, “I think local business is wonderful and we should do all we can to support it? I’m just not sure why you’re telling me this.”
Amelia rolls her eyes and huffs, “Please excuse my husband, he likes to bury the lead sometimes.”
“I’d like to bury something in you,” he mumbles under his breath, but I definitely hear it.
And from the way Amelia’s cheeks turn pink, she hears it too. She also decides to ignore it.
“I think Synful Sweets would be a good addition to our little slice of businesses,” Beckett says as he pulls his wife into his side and she nods eagerly. “The space isn’t big enough for a full commercial kitchen, but it might fit everything you’d need. I’m looking to invest into whatever business we put in the space like I have with the art gallery and the photo studio. I would become your partner, and we would come up with a contract, but you would own your creations and name.”
My mouth drops open and I make a squeaking sound which is probably the least professional sound I’ve ever made. “I-I-I,” I stutter out and then snap my mouth closed for a beat before trying again, “I don’t think I understand still. I mean, I must not understand because I think you just offered me a way to make my dream of having a shop come true.”
Things like this don’t happen to me.
Before he can say anything, Joss is at my side. When I glance up at him, he’s assessing the huge group of people who are kind of like a convention all their own. His hand grips my hip and gives a squeeze, his eyes never leaving the possible threat, “You good, Sugar?”
“Yeah,” I croak out.
That has him reacting. He snaps his gaze down to me, his dark eyes studying me intently. I have no idea what I look like, but I’m sure stunned and shocked are at the top of the list.
“Hi,” Amelia chirps. When I look at her, her eyes are bouncing between Joss and me. She gives me a thumbs up and a big smile when she catches my eye. “I’m Amelia and this is Beckett,” her words come out in a rush. “I think your lady is in shock,” she holds her fingers up with them very close together and winces slightly, “just a little bit though. She was mostly holding it together.”
Joss’s eyes narrow as he looks at Amelia, his voice holding an edge of steel that has Beckett standing up straighter, “Why would she be in shock?”
Amelia isn’t bothered and shrugs like she doesn’t have a care in the world. “Well, you see, man in a security outfit whose name I don’t know yet,” her tone is all sass, and I think I fall in love with her just a little bit, “my husband just offered her a space and a partnership to start up her chocolate shop.”
The way she says the words, like they’re the kind of thing that happens every day, has my heart fluttering in my chest. Could this really be my chance? To have my dream?
Joss looks down at me again, his eyes wide with surprise and excitement. For me. He wants this for me. If I weren’t already in love with this man, that would do it.
“That’s amazing,” he murmurs and all I can do is nod. When he looks toward Amelia, he flashes her a sheepish smile and nods his head respectfully. “I’m Joss. It’s nice to meet you.”
Amelia tilts her head as Joss goes back to scanning the area. “You’re former military,” she states like it’s a fact. “I think you should meet someone.” She turns and yells, “Blake!”
A man near the rock stars turns quickly, his eyebrows pulling together slightly. Then he’s striding across the space with a gait I recognize because it’s the same way Joss walks. As he gets closer it becomes very obvious just how huge he is.
“Woah,” I blurt out.
Amelia snorts and tells me, “Be careful. They’ll pick you up without warning.” When Blake gets over to us, his eyes sweep over the table and one corner of his mouth twitches. “Blake,” she coos at the giant of a man and motions toward Joss, “this is Joss. He’s former military. Now, I know how important it is for places like this to have security, but my gut is telling me his skills aren’t being properly used here, but maybe you can do something about that.”
I glance at Joss to find his eyebrows raised so high that they’re touching his hairline. Blake grins and holds his hand out like an offering.
When Joss shakes his hand, the mountain of a man, introduces himself. “Blake Higgins. I run Higgins Security and am always looking for more people to bring in. I prefer to hire former military personnel because I know their training and how hard it is to transition back to civilian life.”
Something unclenches in my chest that I didn’t even realize was there. Could we both be getting exactly what we want and need? Just because of a chance meeting?
When Joss squeezes my hip as he swallows hard, so many emotions dancing in his eyes, I realize it wouldn’t be the first time.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir. I’d really like to talk to you about whatever opportunities you have for me at the moment.”
Blake’s smile widens and he nods before pulling his wallet out of his back pocket, finding a business card, and handing it to my man. “My cell phone number is on there. Call me and we’ll set up a meeting.”
Amelia is studying Joss more closely as Blake walks away and toward a woman who looks a lot like the movie star Margot Reynolds. But that can’t be her. Right?
Amelia’s finger taps on her lips as she purses them. Then her eyes widen and she gasps, “That’s why you look so familiar!” All eyes turn toward her and she nudges Olivia. “Remember that cover Lark just released? I showed it to you.”
