“What time are they leaving?” I text back.
“Five-thirty. They want to do a sunset cruise, and Pru’s packing a picnic dinner.”
I know where Vreeland docks his boat; it’s about a half-hour drive for me. “I can make it work. I’ll meet you at the dock at five-thirty.”
Rafe sends me a thumbs up. “Cool. See you then.”
I’m still smiling as I tuck my phone back into my shorts. When I glance up, I notice Teddy’s brow is puckered. “What was that about?” he asks. “You went from tears to grins in a matter of seconds.”
I fold my arms. “Not that it’s any of your business, but that was my prospective boyfriend.”
“Yourwhat?” Teddy screeches.
I jump back, startled. “What’s wrong with you? You just scared me half to death.”
“Sorry,” Teddy mumbles and then walks stiffly toward the storage area in the back of theshop. He returns with the broom and dustpan and starts sweeping in large, methodical strokes.
My phone buzzes again, and this time it’s a message from Cassia, who wants to know what happened with Mom and Granny. I fill her in about my clipped wings—which I’m super upset about, but the date with Rafe has momentarily overshadowed my despair—and I tell her about seeing Rafe, Vreeland, and Pru tomorrow.
Cassia doesn’t respond right away, which happens a lot because she’s working in my parents’ restaurant. Then she texts, “I’m glad it’s a double date.”
I blow out a puff of air. Cassia means well, but she’s such a fuddy-duddy; I know she’s worried about Rafe’s lone wolf status. She’s probably heard all sorts of negative stories from Jake about the problems caused by loners. “He’s Vreeland’s friend. What can go wrong?”
“He gives off bad-boy vibes.”
“Exactly!” I text her. “I’m bored.”
Cassia sends me an eye roll. “Just be safe.”
When I slip my phone into my back pocket for the second time, I sense Teddy’s eyes on me, but he quickly glances away. He’s acting weird today, which is exactly why employees should never embrace their bosses; it messes up everyone’s pheromones.
When Teddy finishes sweeping the floor, he bags up all the dirt, dust, and broken bits of wallboard and then carts it outside to the trash bin. He’s gone maybe ten minutes, which gives me time to make a hair appointment tomorrow with Spectra, who squeezes me into her schedule. I know I’m going on a boat, and my hair will bewild in a matter of minutes, but I want to start my date with Rafe looking my best.
Teddy returns carrying a lined pad of paper, a pencil, and a tape measure. “What’s all that for?” I ask.
“To take measurements so I know how much wallboard we need.”
“Why?”
Teddy waves a hand at the gaping hole I made in the shop. “So I can put up a new wall. How else were you planning on repairing it?”
I shrug. “I thought I’d have to hire a contractor.”
“You should save what you have left of your inheritance for buying supplies later.”
“Do you know how to install dry wall?” The skepticism is evident in my voice. Perhaps I’m being unfair, but Teddy’s singular skill seems to be cleaning.
“I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t know how,” Teddy chides me gently. “My next-door neighbor owned a construction company; I worked for him every summer until I graduated from college. I can do the repairs, put in new light fixtures, put up new trim, and paint the shop. But if we’re going to get this place ready for its grand opening in time, you’re going to need to do your part.”
I sputter. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means it’s time for you to put your phone away and do some manual labor. You can begin by stripping the wallpaper from the rest of the walls using glue remover, a scraper, and some elbow grease. Getting this bakeshop ready is a two-person job. You need to pull your weight every single day until we open.”
“How dare you speak to me like… like…”
“Like you’ve been addressing me since I arrived yesterday? Like I’m little more than a nuisance, someone you’re stuck with because of Miss Dragonfly’s will?” Teddy heaves a sigh. “Look… we both want this bakery to succeed, which won’t happen if we spend our time arguing. Here—” he hands me one end of the tape measure “—let’s just get to work.”
I stare down at the tape measure, then up at Teddy. It’s true I’ve been treating him like a nuisance, because he is. And like someone I’m stuck with, because I am. But if he really can help me get this bakery ready for the grand opening, Teddy deserves a little respect, even if I’m still resentful about his ten percent ownership stake. “I agree we need to work together, and of course I’ll pitch in and do my part. But just to be clear, I already have plans for tomorrow.” Then I add, because I feel like I need to say it aloud. “I have a date.”
