Frowning, Anh held up a hand, quieting both of them. “Don’t give me a headache,” she ordered, and both business-owners were immediately chagrined. Emmeline felt the urge to hang her head like a scolded child; she hated to disappoint.
“I did, of course, consider the possibility that you would be averse to consolidating,” Anh said, looking at both of them carefully. As Anh assessed them, Emmeline straightened her already straight back, keeping her hands folded neatly on her lap.
She had never shied away from scrutiny; she knew she wasn’t lacking. She made sure of it. Even so—there wassomething about the way Anh looked at her and Luke that made Emmeline nervous.
Her nerves only doubled when Anh’s lips curled into a pleased smile. “I am sure you’ve both heard of the Tales & Tails Bookshop?” Anh asked, clasping her wrinkly hands together.
At the name, Emmeline’s heart stopped entirely. Before she could stop herself, her gaze flicked over to Luke, just as he turned to her. His lips parted, and an expression she couldn’t understand flitted across his face.
The Tales & Tails Bookshop was where they had first met all those years ago.
A memory entered her mind unbidden: the taste of tea sharp and bitter on her tongue, her back flush against a bookshelf as she snatched him closer.
It was such a vivid memory, even now. Her skin burned.
Snapping out of it, Emmeline focused on Anh, on the present: the party going on downstairs, the snow falling outside the big windows around her, and the businesswoman in front of her.
Beside her, Luke cleared his throat. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Luke flex his hand.Did he remember it, too?she wondered.
“Tales & Tails belongs to my younger brother, Minh,” Anh said. “He’s been after me to expand his bookshop with the addition of a coffee shop—he isn’t very business-minded himself. The success of the bookshop can be credited entirely to me, so of course, now he wishes for me to tackle this undertaking, as well.”
Anh rolled her eyes; Emmeline understood how she felt. Younger brothers could be quite vexing.
“Little brothers,” Luke said fondly. As Anh smiled, Emmeline tried not to frown; she was going to say that.
“To the point: coffee is your forte,” Anh continued. “Why don’t you both get me proposals for how to include a coffee shop in the bookshop? Whichever proposal I prefer will secure the investment in their company. Plus, I’ll add a stake in the bookshop as a bonus.”
A buzz went through Emmeline. Along with the investment, a stake in the bookshop would be lucrative.
“Yes,” Emmeline agreed immediately, her mind already whirring with ideas. The bookshop was a thriving slice of Starshine Valley and a flourishing community space; a coffee shop would do splendidly there.
“That does sound fun,” Luke said. Emmeline didn’t need to turn to know there would be a glint in his eyes.
“Splendid!” Anh said. “We’ll need a deadline, of course. It’s early December now, so how about the middle of January? Six weeks should be enough time.”
“More than enough time,” Emmeline replied. She turned to Luke. “Unless you would need more? I am happy to accommodate.”
Her attempt to rile him only amused him further, which she detested sorely. “Oh, I know just how accommodating you can be,” he said to her. The words made sparks skitter across her skin as Luke turned to Anh. “Six weeks is perfect.” He flashed his teeth.
“Wonderful. That’s settled then.” Anh stood, holding onto her ornate cane. “I think it’s time for me to have some cake.”
Emmeline and Luke stood as well. “I’ll take you,”Emmeline said, stepping forward. Luke mirrored her, the both of them reaching out for Anh, who ignored them.
“I can manage on my own,” Anh replied.
“Really I—” Emmeline began.
“Don’t try and fuss over me, dear,” Anh said, making Emmeline feel silly.
After Anh took her leave, Emmeline turned to Luke. He stood with his hands in his trouser pockets, making the open collar of his black shirt stretch open. Her gaze flicked over the two chains on his bare chest.
Emmeline made an irritated noise, giving him her best withering glare, which was quite withering indeed. Luke twitched, though he only doubled down on the arrogant posture.
“You might as well bow out now,” she told him, putting her hands on her hips. “You do know everyone calls Tales & Tails the Baby Dragon Bookshop, don’t you?” She raised a brow. “The last time I checked, you don’t have a dragon. Best for you to stay on your side of the valley.”
Where most people were easily scared off by Emmeline, Luke only smirked. He cocked his head to the side as he regarded her. “So threatened that you’re already trying to deter me?” She narrowed her eyes as he continued: “From what I recall, you like a challenge.”
Irritation flashed through her like a crack of lightning. “You don’t know me.”
