With that, he walked out, leaving a stench in his wake. Okay, it was pepperoni, but without the pizza, it wouldn’t have smelled.
Taryn rubbed her face. “Did that really happen?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Garrett kept his hand on top of hers. “Do you think he’s lying?”
“I have no idea, but what was he saying about pains and perfect made no sense.”
“It sounds like another quote.” Reluctantly, Garrett raised his hand from hers. He typed the words into the search bar. The results sent his heart dropping.
She leaned forward. “What does it say?”
“It’s a quote.”
“Shakespeare?”
Garrett nodded. “FromA Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“It has to be a coincidence.” Despite her words, she didn’t sound convinced.
He readied his thumbs. “What was the first thing he said?”
“Bright confusion. Something like that.”
Garrett typed. “‘So quick bright things come to confusion’ is also fromA Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Lines creased her forehead. She pushed away from the table. “I need to know what’s going on. Margot will know.”
He grabbed the pizza box. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Ten
At Margot’s, Tarynsat next to Garrett. She couldn’t believe what Nick had said was true. The Summit Ridge Bakerywastaking part in the summer fair. Talk about a worst-case scenario—a real-life nightmare. She had to do something, but what?
Her nerve endings stood on end, and her hands shook. “How did this happen?”
Margot sat in a chair opposite them. “We had several backup applications. When Mr. Jones pulled out earlier today, the board called an emergency meeting tonight. Nick must have gone from there to Luigi’s.”
Taryn stared at the carpet, unable to think straight. “Additions have been made in the past, but never a direct competitor to a First Avenue business.”
“I’m so sorry, dear,” Margot said, her voice full of compassion. “If it’s any consolation, I voted no.”
Taryn’s gaze jerked up. “The others all voted yes.”
It wasn’t a question because that was the only way the board would have given Mr. Jones’s slot to the other bakery. So much for having friends in the association. Still, it surprised her. Some had been in business as long as her father. But they were probably the ones also driving to Summit Ridge for their baked goods.
“The booth’s design swayed others,” Margot explained. “I must admit to being impressed.”
Taryn’s stomach churned, making her wish she’d skipped dinner.
“Let me guess,” Garrett chimed in. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Margot’s mouth gaped. “How did you know?”
Garrett looked at Taryn. “Do you want to tell her?”
“I’ll show you.” Taryn pulled out her phone and showed Margot what they’d been working on. “This is Lawson’s Bakery booth.”
Margot’s eyes widened. “It’s almost the same design, except the Summit Ridge Bakery’s booth has four sides. Yours only has three.”
