Cathy took a cleaning wipe out of her purse, wiped the countertop, then placed her heavy purse in the space. “I am not here to argue about your career. I am here because I know your shop is in trouble.”
My stomach tightened. “You don’t know that.”
Cathy’s smile was small and confident. “I know everything. That’s how I’ve made my money.”
Heat rose in my chest. “What do you want?”
Cathy’s eyes brightened with the satisfaction of a person moving chess pieces. “I want you to date my granddaughter Anne.”
Dave inhaled sharply.
“That’s not happening,” I firmly replied.
Cathy held up a hand. “You are reacting emotionally.”
“I’m reacting logically,” I replied. “I don’t know your granddaughter and I am dating your great niece Kitty.”
Cathy’s brows rose. “You can dump Kitty.”
“No.”
“Think rationally. I am facilitating an arrangement that benefits everyone. Anne is an excellent young woman. She deserves someone stable who will be good to her. You need financial stability, and would be a good addition to the family dynasty.” Cathy ticked her reasons off of her manicured fingers.
Dave stepped forward again, unable to help himself. “If we are talking stability, touring is the quickest route. We could book a short holiday run. He can choose the songs. Two from the catalog, maybe one new if he has anything written. We can keep it tasteful.”
Cathy glanced at him, unimpressed. “No one asked you.”
Dave spread his hands, smiling. “I’m just offering options.”
I felt my jaw set. “Anne doesn’t want this. I don’t want this.”
Cathy waved a hand, dismissing the idea that Anne might have preferences. “Anne wants what is sensible. She simply needs guidance.”
Cathy calling that guidance made my stomach turn. “You are talking about controlling your granddaughter and me.”
Cathy leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice as if we were sharing a private kindness. “I will pay you. Consider it compensation for your time and for taking her seriously.”
“No,” I said again, more firmly.
Cathy’s expression tightened. “You’re being stubborn.”
Dave nodded eagerly. “He does that.”
I shot him a look that should have scorched his eyebrows off. He pretended to study the peeling t-shirt print.
Cathy continued, relentless. “And if, as I suspect, you suit, then I am very generous when it comes to weddings. Anne would receive a substantial bridal gift. Something that would solve your little cash flow problem.”
My hands curled lightly against the edge of the counter. I kept my voice level because raising it would make this feel like a negotiation. “I am not dating Anne for money, and I’m not taking a wedding bonus from you to fix my life.”
Cathy’s eyes sharpened. “Then you will lose your shop and your pride will keep you warm.”
Before I could respond, the bell chimed again.
This time it was my landlord, Gerald, stepping inside with a man in a navy coat who looked around the shop with polite interest. The kind of interest that made my stomach drop.
“Caleb,” Gerald said, all friendly cheer, as if he had not just walked in on a private conversation about buying my love life. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”
“You are,” I said.
