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Holly huffed out an angry breath. “Someone told me about my amazing business partner and how persuasive he is. She told me how you stood at the door of the food hall, telling people about my stand, and insisting they come to see me.”

“And your problem is?” He glared at her. “You sold out on your first day. I call that a win.”

She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. “I need to do this for myself. You’re not always going to be around, twisting people’s arms and insisting they buy from me. I have no clue how popular my chocolates really are because you interfered.”

Crap. That wasn’t what he’d meant her to think. “You’ve gotten this wrong. You’re great at what you do. You’re more than good enough to do it on your own.”

“Why didn’t you let me do it my way?”

“I did! Your food speaks for itself. I gave it a little nudge. I just wanted people to know about you. It was so crowded that I didn’t want you to get lost.”

“You see! That’s my point. You thought I’d get lost. You thought stupid little Holly isn’t good enough to succeed on her own. You felt sorry for me.”

“I don’t know where the hell you’re getting these ridiculous ideas from, but you’re wrong. I was making life easier for you.”

“So, you’ll be around for the next couple of years making it easier for me when I get this business off the ground?” Her fury-filled eyes glistened with tears. “I can rely on you, can I?”

Avel licked his lips. What was he supposed to say to that? “I can’t promise you anything.”

“What a surprise.” Holly slapped her hands on her thighs. “I don’t want easy. I want to know what it’s really like. This food fair was my first attempt at seeing if people enjoyed what I do. Now I’ll never know if my success was down to the chocolates or the fact you were terrifying people into buying them.”

He spun his chair to face her, his teeth gritted. “I didn’t terrify anybody. I gave them a sample and a flyer. I told them how amazing your chocolate is and that they couldn’t miss it. There was no arm-twisting or bullying.”

Her eyes narrowed as she stared him down. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

“Well, you got it anyway, sugar.” Avel glowered at her. Why couldn’t she understand that he’d been trying to help her?

Holly turned away from him. “It doesn’t matter now. It’s done. I’ll do the next one on my own.”

“How are you going to do that when you don’t have a ship to take you places?” His frustration made his words sound bitter. “You’re not as independent and sorted as you think you are.”

She glared at him from out of the corner of her eye. “I had it all sorted. If it wasn’t for the transport ship messing up my booking, I wouldn’t have needed you.”

He snorted. Of course, someone like Holly had no need for him. Why would she look twice at his messed-up face and scarred hands? She was a million times better than him. It looked like she’d just woken up to that fact. Good for her.

Avel turned away, his fists clenched and clamped against his thighs. He wouldn’t bother doing her a favor ever again.

Holly sighed. “Let’s just get back to Prodigy and forget this ever happened.”

“It’s too late for that,” Avel spat.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I can’t forget about you. I have a vested interest in making sure you don’t screw up.”

Holly shook her head. “I won’t go back on our agreement if that’s what you’re concerned about. You can still taste test my new creations. I know where you live. I’ll send you samples.”

Avel’s laugh sounded harsh. “It’s a bit more than that, sugar. You owe me money. Your business loan, the one that enabled you to make these chocolates and bring them to this food fair, that’s from me.”

Holly spun her seat toward him, her mouth open. “You’re the moneylender I’m using? Why didn’t you say anything until now?”

Avel shrugged and didn’t reply. He hadn’t meant to tell her, but she’d pissed him off. She’d rejected his help. Maybe she wouldn’t be so cold when she realized just how much he had helped her.

“Avel, why keep that a secret?”

“It’s not important where you get the money from, so long as you pay it back. Now I know you’re good for it, I don’t need to babysit you any longer.”

Holly’s breath shot out of her. “I get it now. That’s the reason you’re helping.”