She props herself on the windowsill and smiles broader at me. “I am indeed.”
“In that case, I shall have to assist you.”
“Haven’t exactly had enough foot traffic this week to justify paying a helper.”
“My rates are rather reasonable.” Truly, I would help her merely for a smile, but I wouldn’t turn down a kiss either.
“Are they negotiable?”
“Indeed.”
“What’s your starting point?”
“That depends on the currency.”
“Cash or burgers?”
The minx is playing with me. Her eyes are sparkling, though her pupils have dilated, and she’s biting her lip as she awaits my response.
“Hand-holding in public or shagging in the back of your burger bus after closing.”
She leans closer. “What if I wanted to pay you in chocolate syrup?”
“Then it would depend on the administration of the payment of chocolate syrup. Though I am far more fond of honey, if I’m to be the end consumer of the payment.”
Pinky clears his throat.
Bea straightens and nearly clocks herself on the top of the window.
I glance over and spot a group of adults strolling to the food van beside Bea’s bus. But when I glance back at Bea, she’s making a funny face.
“Is there an issue?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “No. It’s just—it’s been slow. I don’t think I’ll make enough to afford honey today.”
“Not with that attitude.”
“The Camilles?—”
“Are no match for someone with as much experience at succeeding out of spite as I have.”
I’m not fond of confrontation, but I am a fan of passive-aggressive warfare when necessary. And that Camille woman cornered me yesterday outside my new favorite tea shop to insist, again, that I consider a role in the community theater’s production.
She was none too pleased at my response that my studio contract forbids community theater performances, nor did she seem to appreciate that I was unable to commit to attending her murder mystery dinner, as I need to keep my calendar open for my boys.
However, she was far more displeased when I suggested Bea’s burger bus as the best new restaurant in town to a fan who stopped to ask me for an autograph too, though she didn’t tell me to my face that I’d become sick if I ate there, as I’ve heard she’s implied to others.
Bea smiles at me again, but this one seems amused. And full of doubt. “If you don’t have anything else to do, come on up. Just push the front door open.”
I smirk at her. “I hope you’re prepared to work your arse off selling out today.”
“I hope you’re prepared for disappointment when you find out even your star power can’t overcome the doubts the Camilles have planted about me in the hearts of every person in Athena’s Rest since Jake and I broke up. Because if it could…it would’ve by now.”
“Would you care to bet on that?”
“Are you for real right now?”
“Completely serious.”
