“But the cancellation fees—”
“Are nothing.” Charlotte waved off what Jo knew would be an exorbitant amount of money.
Excitement pulsed through Jo, but she tamped it down. Poaching was frowned upon. “I don’t feel right about taking Giselle’s business. She’s really very good.”
“Jo, we signed with the understanding that you’d be the one working on our wedding.”
“Oh.” Jo knew Charlotte liked her work, but only because Viv had overheard the meeting. Giselle had never said. “But…”
Realizing she still held the bun, she laid it back in the box and peeled off her gloves. She looked at Avery. A wink confirmed her suspicions. He’d known they were going to spring this on her. That’s why he’d pushed her to bring in all the boxes and why he’d been so indifferent about her freak out.
He inclined his head toward his sneaky family as if to say, “No more buts. Just listen.”
“That you’d sacrifice business for your former employer,” Connie said, “when you’re struggling to build a clientele, speaks highly to your character.”
Jo swallowed past the lump in her throat. Praise hit harder than criticism ever had.
“The thing is,” Charlotte added, “I’ve already informed Giselle I’m going with someone else.”
Poor Viv. She and Theo and the rest of the crew would have to deal with that bad mood for weeks to come. Giselle didn’t like losing to the competition.
But arguing seemed pointless now, and Jo couldn’t contain her excitement any longer. This was happening. “Well, then, I guess we’ve got work to do.”
Charlotte and Melody squealed, grabbed Jo’s hands, and dragged her toward the table.
Avery moved out of the way and joined Marcus across the room. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her as she pulled her laptop from her bag, but soon, she lost herself in Charlotte’s description of her wedding plans. She laid out a couple of possibilities, what she liked and disliked about it, and they tweaked and expanded on more possibilities.
At one point, she looked up to see that Marcus had left, but Avery was showing Connie and Mary something on his phone. The next time she looked, Connie and Mary were alone and peeling potatoes.
Melody followed her line of sight. “I should go help.”
After Melody excused herself, Jo jotted down a few more options. Finally, she closed her laptop. “This is a great start. We can get together later for a tasting and make any changes.”
“Perfect.” Charlotte smiled. “I’m so excited we’ll be working together. Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you.”
“Avery says you might go freelance rather than work for someone else. We all think that’s smart and brave. You’re so talented. I know you’ll do well.”
He talks to his family about me? Wait. Is that what this is about?
Hot humiliation rippled through her, and the churning in her stomach started again. She was going to have ulcers by the end of this arrangement. “Charlotte, I hope he didn’t pressure you into this.”
“Are you kidding?” She shook her head. “I called him last Sunday and woke him up to ask if he thought you might be interested.”
“He never mentioned it.”
“He wanted to surprise you.”
Jo couldn’t figure him out. He’d waited all week, never said a word. Why would he go to all that trouble? He could have just given her number to Charlotte.
Charlotte slid out of her chair. “Let’s see if they need our help with anything. I can’t boil water, but I can chop things.”
“Of course.” Jo packed her things and took a moment to check her phone.
Brooke: OMG I got home and found Andrew just showed up. MOFO’s moving back to Houston and needs a place to stay until his apartment is ready. Aaron couldn’t say no. Could be weeks, maybe a month. His shit is everywhere.
Jo winced at the crying emoji that followed, then another angry one blowing smoke. Brooke and Aaron’s brother didn’t get along.
