“I did.” The guy’s chest puffed. If he noticed Garrett at the table, Nick didn’t acknowledge him. “Though I’m surprised you remember, given how you’re Team Brandt these days.”
“I didn’t take sides,” she said with more patience than Garrett would have managed around the guy. “I’m friends with both of you.”
“Not true.” Nick’s gaze darkened. “You’re baking Brandt’s wedding cake after he wouldn’t help me in December with that company in Raleigh.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.” She half laughed. “I work at a bakery. That’s what we do. Bake cakes.”
Nick wagged his eyebrows. “And now, there’s more than one bakery in the area.”
“Summit Ridge didn’t open until March. Brandt and Callie hired me in January.”
“Which is why you should have told them no when they asked,” Nick said in a matter-of-fact tone. “You were a close friend, but you crossed the line. Now you pay.”
Her lips parted. “So opening the other bakery is some sort of payback?”
Nick shrugged, but he didn’t appear indifferent or confused. “If you wanted to remain neutral, you should have pulled a Switzerland. Now you’ll pay.”
The guy sounded more snake than human. No, that wasn’t fair to snakes.
Even if Garrett hadn’t known the backstory of how Nick used the power of attorney Brandt had given him to sell their company’s technology and shut down the place, Garrett wouldn’t want anything to do with him. The guy gave off a negative, slimy vibe.
Nick’s lip curled. “Rumor has it business is down at Lawson’s Bakery.”
Taryn didn’t cower or look away. She squared her shoulders. “The new patio is a big hit.”
“A little too late.” Nick sounded bored. “Are you ready for the summer fair?”
“Almost.” She motioned across the table. “This is Garrett Andrews, one of Callie’s brothers. He’s helping me with the final touches.”
“Well, good luck.” Somehow Nick made those words sound condescending. “May the best bakery win.”
Taryn stiffened. “What do you mean?”
Nick snickered. “Oh, haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?” Taryn asked, appearing more uncomfortable by the second.
Garrett couldn’t take it any longer. He covered her hand with his.
Gratitude shone in her eyes.
“Mr. Jones doesn’t have time to build a booth this year with his wife’s knee replacement. We’d applied to be on the waitlist. Once they saw our design, the board gave us the hardware store’s place.”
Taryn’s face paled. Her lower lip trembled. “I hadn’t heard.”
Garrett squeezed her hand, wanting to reassure her and let her know she wasn’t alone.
“It’ll be the battle of the bakeries this weekend.” The glee in Nick’s voice matched his expression. “We’re excited and raring to go. Spoiler alert! Our booth will be hard to beat.”
She swallowed. “Good luck.”
The woman had more class in her pinky finger than Nick Baxter had in his entire body because Garrett would have said something else to the guy. Words not meant to be spoken in a family restaurant. But this wasn’t his fight…yet.
Nick barely glanced his way. “Nice to meet you, Barrett.”
“Garrett.”
“Whatever,” Nick mumbled. “Take pains. Be perfect.”
