You’re not the only one with good ideas, Steele.
“We better get back to our booth. It gets so busy that we need all hands on deck. If you girls want to stop by, we have samples you can try.” I begin pushing Santi out of the tent, wanting to get away before my lid blows.
“You’ll like it,” Santi begins. “Goat cheese, red chile, and pecans. Tell me that doesn’t sound delicious.”It doesn’t sound delicious, I think. “We’ve got cold drinks too, so come by before it’s all gone.”
“Haha. Okay, time to go.” My chuckle is forced and so fake.
My hands nudge Santi out and I leave Bob and Burke to discuss their amazing new venture. They didn’t say that per say, but it was implied.
“I wish you would’ve let me taste their ice cream, Rena. It sounds and looks so tempting.”
“Yeah, well I’m tempted to punch you.” I come to halt when we’re far enough for Burke and tug his arm. “Did you tell Burke about our idea? I know you have some mutual friends and run-in to one another quite often.”
“No. I would never share secrets. You know that.” I study his face, looking for signs he’s lying, but find none.
I begin speed walking through the crowd, headed straight for our booth. “Well he found out somehow and now he’s coming for our customers.”
“Couldn’t he have just had the same idea at coincidentally the same time?”
“There are no coincidences in life and you should know that.” I huff and stomp through our neighbors –every one is a friend or neighbor in a small town. “I’m going to find out how he got the information. We’ve got a snitch in-house and I’m going to shut it down.”
Be scared, Burke Steele. I’m coming for you.
8
BURKE
It’s been two weeks since the festival and I’m still riding high on our first place win. I’m even more joyful over the fact that Regal Nuts didn’t even place in the top five. This is the first time that I can remember that they haven’t been at the top of the leaderboard. But I don’t blame the judges because if their entry tasted anything like it sounded, it had to have been repugnant.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I’m deep into reviewing spreadsheets when the doorbell rings. I look up with question because who would be visiting me at home? No one comes here except my girls. I close my laptop and walk to the front door. I pause before looking out the peephole, then shock sets in when I see who it is.
I pull the heavy wood door open and stare at the woman standing in front with a scowl on her face.
“Serena? What are you doing here?” I mirror her stance and cross my arms over her chest.
“How did you find out?” She asks, no further information.
“I’m going to need some more context. Find out what? That you’re crazy?” Her face turns red when the word comes out of my mouth.
“The deal with Queen Foods. How did you know I met with them? It’s a little too spot on to be a coincidence.” I drop my hands and stare at her like she has a spider crawling across her face.
“Are you serious? I had no idea about your meeting with them. This is something Aster and I have been working on. It has nothing to do with you. I know you like to think the world revolves around you but trust me sweetheart, it doesn’t.”
She takes two steps forward and looks up at me, a burning intensity in her eyes. “I know you stole our idea, I just can’t prove how.”
I step aside and hold out my hand. “I don’t steal but you’re welcome to snoop around every corner of my home if you think I’m hiding something. There’s nothing lurking in my closets.” Her eyes narrow on me and she takes a cautious step into my home.
I watch as her head pans across the entry way that spills into the dining room. I toss the door, letting it close with a resounding clunk, and I see Serena’s body jolt. She looks over her shoulder at me and I shrug.
“My office is there if you want to go through my files. I do have to warn you, my maid and bookkeeper are currently non-existent so it’s a mess.” I motion towards the large barn door that sits just slightly cracked.
She doesn’t hesitate to push it open, the wheel squealing as it slides on the track. When it’s revealed, a scene of chaos lies in front of us. Papers strewn and stacked about, a leather couch piled with folders and boxes of old invoices that can be shredded, old and dusty signage with our old logo, and bookshelves filled with memories. Her eyes land on one item after the other, but she doesn’t move further into the office.
“How the hell do you find anything in here? Jesus.” With her hands on her hips she spins around to face me. “You conduct business out of here?”
“No. Of course not.” I scratch my head and look anywhere but at her.
“Well after seeing this, I don’t think I have to worry about you stealing anything. You probably couldn’t find your ass if it was in this mess.” She takes one last look at the room then curls up her lip. “But that still doesn’t explain how you knew to contact Bob with the almost exact same concept that we have.”
