“Don’t thank me yet. This isveryshort notice.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“You’re the worst sometimes, you know that, right?”
“Very rarely.” I laugh. “Love you!”
“Love you more,” she says, resigned, and we hang up.
I rub my hands together, evil-villain-like, grinning as I finish up the last window. He can say he’s not interested, but that doesn’t mean I have to look as pathetic as I actually am. HeassumedI would automatically want to have a relationship with him.
Well, ha ha, sucker! Idon’t.
And tonight I’m going to prove it by showing up with myamazingdate whilehe’sthere with hiscousin.
The door opens, and Farmor walks out, glances at the sparkling windows, and then turns to me. “Was that your new neighbor I heard a little while ago?”
I work hard not to roll my eyes. I guarantee she and my mom were in there talking, so of course she knows the answer to her question. “Yeah,” is all I say, inspecting the glass for any other streaks or marks I can rub away.
“Your mom said he seems nice.” Farmor’s voice is mild.
“Not to me, he isn’t.” The glass is spotless. There’s no reason to stay out here any longer.
“You, of all people, should know that it can be hard to meet new people when you’ve been through something terrible like he has.”
Ouch, go straight for the guilt.“Why do I feel like everyone is on Team Hunter? You don’t even know him.”
Farmor’s nose squinches. “I’m always on your side, sötnos. But Richard filled us in on a little bit of what he’s been through last night and asked us to help him help his nephew. Apparently, Hunter is brilliant with numbers and marketing. Richard thinks having him work with us to turn things around at the bakery might helpallof us.”
I groan. Suspicion confirmed. “Farmor,no. He told me—”
“All I’m asking is to give him a second chance,” Farmor cuts me off firmly. “If he’s as brilliant as Richard claims, we need his help—and you know it.”
This can’t be happening. Yes, the bakery needs help ... but not fromhim. “I thought he was working with Richard and Lou at the loan office.”
“He is, but he has a degree in marketing, not loans. We all felt like spending an hour or two a day working with us on turning things around here would be beneficial for usandhis professional confidence. He needs to rebuild his portfolio because his former partner stole all their clients and started his own marketing firm behind Hunter’s back.”
“Maybe they all went willingly because he’snotbrilliant, and his uncle is just biased.”
“Liv!” Farmor says, shocked. “This isn’t like you at all.”
I flush. She’s right. But as I already admitted earlier today—to his face—he clearly doesn’t bring out the best in me. “Okay, that was harsh. But still valid. We have no idea if he’s any good at marketing.”
“Well, we don’t really have many options. If we don’t change something and soon, we’re all rowing a sinking ship. He’s here, he needs the work, and his uncle thinks he can help us for a good deal.”
When I finally meet Farmor’s gaze, her expression is so pleading, her eyes soft with sadness, that my protests all die, turned to ash on my tongue. This bakery is all that’s left of the life she built with my grandpa, and though I’ve tried to hide the worst of it from her and mom, they know things are not looking good. “If you and mom really think he can help, I guess we can let him try. But he told me he doesn’t even want to be my friend, let alone anything else. So don’t be surprised if he says no.”
Farmor winces. “He’s hurting, and we often lash out when we’re in pain. I’m not saying it’s okay that he was so rude. I have half a mind to march right up to him and smack his mouth myself.” If Hunter is wondering where I got my feisty side from, I know where to direct him. “But, my sweet girl, remember that sometimes it’s worth it to give someone a second chance.”
Farmor gives me a brief hug and then leaves me outside with the spotless windows and a very conflicted conscience.
5.
Talia does come through for me, sending a text to tell me a few minutes before I get a text from my date asking if he can pick me up or if we should meet at the restaurant.
Austin is a bit of a player, so don’t let yourself get interested. But he’s hot and funny, so he should fit the bill for tonight.
Sounds perfect. I knew you wouldn’t let me down!
