“Then you leave me with no choice,” I say firmly, despite the churn in my stomach and lump in my throat. “Since you refuse to show up for work on a critically important weekend, and you refuse to give me a reasonable explanation, I’m exercising Appendix C.”
Teddy’s eyes grow misty, like I’ve wounded him deeply. “Wow. You’re firing meandyou’re asking me to forfeit my ownership interest inthe bakery?”
“Yes.” I bite my lower lip to keep it from wobbling. “I’ll purchase your shares at the end of the twelve-month period, and… um… I’ll reimburse you for any out-of-pocket expenses. I want to be fair.”
“You want to be fair?” says Teddy through his clenched jaw.
I raise my chin. “Yes, of course.”
Teddy stalks around the little tables and exits through the back door; I hear him open and close his car door. When he returns, he’s holding a legal document, which he slaps on top of the bakery case. “Here you go! Signed, sealed, and delivered.”
I pick up the document in trembling fingers and scan it quickly; Teddy isgivingmehis ten percent ownership in the bakery, and he’s asking for nothing in return. He signed it in front of two witnesses, Jake and Rob, a week ago. “I… I don’t understand.”
“I wanted to take you to dinner after the grand opening to celebrate… and, er… to give you my share of the bakery, no strings attached.” Teddy’s breath hitches. “But there’s no point now; it’s all yours.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“You’ve said quite enough already.” The door slams shut, followed by the purr of Teddy’s old Caddy as he drives away.
Tears spring to my eyes that I quickly swipe away. What’s wrong with me? I should be celebrating, not crying.
I’ve gotten everything I ever wanted—I’m the proud owner of a chic new bakery on Main Street. This is something I’ve dreamed about since high school.
But I’m having trouble ignoring the ache lodged in the center of my chest and the fistful of knots twisting in my stomach. I’m feeling bluer than Granny Catbeam’s hair after she visits Spectra’s Salon.
Why am I so weepy over Teddy Freaking Barker?
He’s the one who walked out on me.
Chapter 23
Foolhardy Faerie
TEDDY
Thursday, July 12
I accelerate down Main Street in a foul mood, deeply hurt by Sophie’s lack of trust in me and shocked she exercised Appendix C. I’m also piping mad—but more with myself than Sophie. How did I manage to wreck such a beautiful moment? Sophie was so close, and I could see in her eyes she was ready to take the next step in our relationship, but then I blasted it all to moondust.
I should’ve told Sophie sooner that I’d have to miss the bakery’s grand opening, especially since she was counting on my help. But I kept chickening out, not wanting to disappoint her. So instead of kissing those lush lips of hers, I backed away and finally fessed up.
Then I compounded my error with the lame “werewolf condition” excuse, which Sophie didn’t buy for a minute. I bang my hand on the steering wheel. Confound it all!
Who scheduled the Riddle Hill Summer Fest for this weekend anyway? What a ridiculous lack of planning for a supernatural village to be hosting the event during a full moon!
On the other hand, as Sophie rightly pointed out, it’s really only an issue for very young wolf cubs… and for lovelorn werewolves like me.
Still muttering to myself, I park by the harbor, grab the brown bag dinner Nash packed for me before I left the café, and find a secluded bench where I can stare at the water. I need to get my roiling emotions under control before I show up at the fire station and take my first written exam.
But I can’t focus; I’m too worried about Sophie. She may not want me around anymore, but she’s still my fated mate—and that fact will never change. Perhaps, if I’m persistent and really, really lucky, she may change her mind about me someday. I guess I’m in for a really rough full moon this weekend, given everything Doc’s told me about mate blight, and the number of times Rob and Jake remind me about my upcoming confinement.
But in the meantime, I’m concerned about here and now.
How can I ensure Sophie’s safety when I’ll be locked up for most of the weekend? Shaking my head, I realize there’s only one right answer; I need to tell Jake about this Rafe character. Sophie will be mad at me all over again, but that’s a small price to pay.
Besides, I don’t mind Sophie’s grumpy side; if anything, it makes me want to kiss away her frowny face all the more. As I think about nuzzling that foolhardyspitfire of a faerie, my mouth twitches into a smile, and a small sigh escapes from my lips. But then I recall she’s just fired me, which means I’ll have no reason to hang around her all day in the bakery, secretly pining. At least I’ll see her tomorrow at the café for one final shift before the weekend; maybe she won’t be as angry with me in the morning.
I finish my cheddar cheese and roast beef on rye, feeling better now that I’ve decided to speak with Jake. I’m gathering up my sandwich wrapper when the hair on the back of my neck stands up, and my muscles tense. I leap to my feet, scanning my surroundings for whoever or whatever triggered my fight response.
