BEEP!
I almost jump at the sound from the iPad. I quickly tuck my wallet away and walk slowly, head high, out of the store. I may have just been humiliated but I needn’t act like it.
“Good day, all,” I say, willing my voice to sound normal.
TheDINGof the door is also eighty-five times louder than normal. I open the Mercedes, the picture of calm confidence. I set down the food, start it, reverse, and take longer than normal to drive away from the large front windows of the bakery. I turn a corner and finally, I’m free.
I floor it.
I curse under my breath, releasing a litany of phrases that probably shouldn’t be said aloud. I slap the steering wheel and honk the horn at no one.
No.
She said no.
She’s attracted to me, it’s obvious. She sneaks glances at my body, my arms, sometimes my hair. The two times I’ve almost kissed her, she was entranced, just like I was. Caught up in this pull between us.
And we’ve had a text rapport going, an actual friendship.
And she. Said. No!?
Fine.
FINE.
“Fine!” I yell at the pastries in the passenger seat.
She doesn’t want me? She doesn’t see I want to help her, give her some fun? A reprieve from her backbreaking days and exhausting nights?
Then I don’t want her either. Not anymore. And, truly, not at all. Not in any deep way. She was a challenge. A puzzle to figure out. This town and it’s faux ooey-gooey goodness crap just…got into my psyche for a bit.
That’s done. I’m done. She and this ridiculous town can meet their demise, which I will stay to watch with deep satisfaction, then I’m on a plane and headed far, far away from here.
CHAPTER 24
Harper
“Thank you,” I say.
“Check out more specials all summer long in our shop on Main Street!” Madison chirps our script next to me. Because I forgot to say it. Because I am distracted, scanning the crowd. Again.
“He’ll come,” Madison says.
My head jerks to the left, “What? Who? I—”
She laughs, “Everyone used all of his suggestions, he’ll want to see. And they’re working, too! I just overheard Tyrone say he’s sold more limited edition records so far today than any other singular day and it’s not even lunch time!”
“Wow,” I exhale the word.
All of us have seen an uptick but…Let it Spin? He’s selling music in an age where literally no one buys music. Did not see that coming.
I should have though.
Because Aiden is a genius. As much as I try to remind myself he’s still wiping us off the map, literally, and won’t change his mind, heishelping. Each morning, he’s given every one of ustailored advice based on what we sell, how we sell it and who we sell to. He may be in the real estate business but now I firmly believe he could be in any business he wanted.
Like running a little bakery in a holiday town…
NO, HARPER. NO! This is why you are avoiding him!
