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She felt her stomach sour. Why does he have to tell me a story right now?
“He asked me how business was going, and I was honest. I said that things weren’t great and I needed to figure out something new or I’d have to give up the shop. As I fixed his bike, I explained to him about this idea I had for a bakery and a bike shop in one, and he liked it. He said he wanted to help.”
“The mystery investor.”
Kevin nodded, still not looking her in the eye. “The man said he would invest his money into the shop for a very small percentage of the revenue, but said he would only do this if I did him two favors.”
She froze, her heart feeling like a shriveled rock thudding to the floorboard below.
“He told me he would give me the money if his daughter was the one to run the bakery…and if I could get her to leave her boyfriend.”
She swore, placing a hand over her mouth.
“Jess…” Kevin begged, finally looking at her, finally reaching for her.
But she tore away from his grasp. She unbuckled her seat belt and flung open her door, then stormed down the street away from the house with the balloons.
The other car door slammed and the slapping of sandals followed behind her. “Sweetheart, please, wait—”
“How could you,” she fumed.
“I was desperate, Jess. And his offer was so good…and a part of me wanted to do it because I really, really wanted you to leave Charlie.”
“So you partnered with my father,” she spat. “He paid for the renovations, the new espresso machine, my tablet…”
“I told him the tablet might have been a bit much, but he wouldn’t listen after I told him you were still using your high school laptop.”
She stopped her march and spun around to face him, then glared. “You told him that?! How much more does he know? Were you feeding him information this whole time?”
“No, after the tablet, I told him that I’d held up my end of the bargain, and if he wanted to know more about you, he would have to reach out himself. I promise, Jess.”
“Your promises mean nothing.” She forcefully kicked away a rock on the sidewalk.
“Sissy!!”
Her back went ramrod straight at the sound of Dakota’s voice. She looked up at the house and saw her standing there in a flowing green maxi dress, her feet bare, soft waves of blonde hair tumbling down her back. Her face was bright with hope as she beheld Jess, waving her over to the porch.
“I can’t believe you thought that this was the best moment to tell me the truth.”
“He asked me to not tell you, not until you were ready to talk to him yourself. And then you asked me to come to the shower and I—”
“You thought you were off the hook,” she finished for him. “How many more secrets, Kevin? Why are you always holding things back from me?”
“Because I’m afraid you’ll push me away.”
“You can’t always be afraid of that.”
“Oh yeah? Then explain to me what you’re doing right now.”
She glared. “I’m taking a walk.”
“And not running away from what’s going on in front of you? Not trying to create as much distance as you can from me?”
“You just told me you’ve been secretly in cahoots with MY FATHER,” she yelled at him. “What do you expect me to do, huh? Kiss you and say it’s okay? That I still love you?”
His eyes widened. “You…love me?”
Jess felt her face go hot, her breathing jagged after those words slipped right out of her mouth.
