Chapter 27
Juniper
It’s weird having money.
Like, actual money I can spend to unscrew my life.
The computer whining doesn’t send a cold sweat down my spine anymore.
My stomach doesn’t knot up when I look around the store and see everything in terrible need of updating.
First things first, though.
I bring the check to the bank. The clerk looks at me like she’s seen a unicorn–what normal girl like me cashes a check that big?-but it’s signed and addressed to me, so into the account it goes.
Then I start buying.
First, a laptop. No more relying on a hunk of junk PC that’s probably been around since I learned to count. This is a sleek, modern little machine I can cart around anywhere, whether I’m at home or pulling late nights working on spreadsheets.
I don’t have much of a life beyond work and sleeping. And now, apparently, lying for Dexter Rory, too.
I scowl, remembering how we celebrated the craziest decision of my life over expensive champagne, before I get back to assessing the mixers in the kitchen. Out of all the appliances, they should be first on deck for an upgrade since they’re used the most.
Mixers and ovens and pans and a new microwave to replace the clunky old thing with a broken timer we’ve been managing with since Nana left.
Oh, and new recipes!
Nana’s lemon biscotti cheesecake is a must. I’m thinking of branching out into new territory myself. Trying something a little less homely and more high–class. Especially if we’re going to be keeping fancy, high–end properties stocked with sweets.
Some cute, colorful macarons would do the trick. Maybe even some matchamisu or dark chocolate crème for folks who don’t like blowing up their glucose scores.
Rich people like Dexter.
I pause what I’m doing to wipe my forehead.
you know it’s bad when I’m starting to care what desserts he might like. If there’s a cake that man would eat without being under torture, I want to know what it is.
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But I need to get a grip.
Before I start thinking we’re doing anything except an elaborate ruse.
You wouldn’t be engaged to him if he was the last man alive.
Also, he doesn’t need me to put in too much effort. He’s given me a script to follow and agreed to give me fair warning for any appearances.
On paper, it should be easy–peasy.
It’s just, the thought of watching him consume something from the Sugar Bowl without triggering his gag reflex fe oddly appealing. Some nice light matchamisu might really hit the spot.
I really hate that he’s the one who gave me the idea, and it might turn out to be a good one.
I make a list of ingredients we’ll need on my notepad, chewing the end of the pen as I think.
Lots of high–grade neon–green matcha for sure, if I’m going to commit to a proper matchamisu. Although I should probably make a few trial runs and test them out on the shop floor first.
And what about the macarons?
I’d probably be better off starting with some basics like raspberry and white chocolate, then move on to something little more interesting like salted caramel or red velvet cake.
A light, gentle flavor to offset all the heavier stuff we sell.
Also, if we’re making a lot more deliveries, is it worth employing some kind of courier service? Or would it be bette to break down and buy a bigger van that doesn’t leak oil?
So much to consider and so little time…
“What do you think?” Sarah whispers from the counter–probably to Jake, who’s scheduled with her today. “Do you reckon Juniper and Big Fish are dating?”
“Dating? You serious?” Jake sounds surprised.
“Well, he kept coming in to talk to her, right? That’s what you said.
Weird for a guy that busy.”
“Yeah, he hit on Emmy, too.” Jake has a gruff note to his voice and I suppress a grin.
No wonder Jake doesn’t like Dexter if he thinks the guy was hitting on his crush.
Not that I think Dexter would, not seriously–she’s barely twenty.
Whatever else he may be, I can’t imagine him robbing the cradle.
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“But she didn’t see him. Junie avoided that dude like a curse,” Jake says.
“Yes, but you don’t get it. He kept coming. He waited until Nana Winkley showed up after close, I heard. He hugged
her.”
“Nana Winkley?” Jake whistles.
“No, idiot!” Sarah sighs like he’s being stupid–which, in all honesty, he is. “He hugged Junie.”
Jake snorts. “Aw, hell. How do you know that?”
“I saw it on the security cam the next day when I was doing my usual check to see if there’s anything worth saving to the cloud. That storage isn’t cheap.”
Oh my God.
The camera.
I slam my head down on the bench with a thunk!
Of course. The security cam might be the only modern thing we have.
Only, now it’s turned into an unexpected spy tool for my gossipy staff.
“So, what? You think they’re dating because they hugged in front of Nana?” Jake says skeptically.
“When does she ever hug a guy? I mean… when does she ever go on a date?”
The long silence between them suffocates me.
Leave it to the kids to humiliate a grown woman without even trying.
“Huh,” Jake agrees. There’s another longish pause. “Can’t say you’re wrong. I just figured she had a couple guys on the down–low. Most girl boss types still have a sex life, don’t they? They just don’t broadcast it to the entire world.”
“You’re a dating coach now?” Sarah laughs loudly. “But she has been landing all those big orders, I guess. There must be a reason that office wants to keep paying our salaries. It makes sense.”
“You mean he could be helping out with the store in exchange for- shit.” Jake hums as he thinks it over. “Maybe you’re onto something. Heard her talking about new equipment this morning, too.”
“Not just that,” Sarah says, keeping her voice low even though I’m not that far away and can hear every single word. “She has a laptop now. I saw it. Can you imagine Junie using anything that works?”
“What? No way.” Jake is totally, painfully serious. “You mean she’s finally entered the twenty–first century on some dude’s dime? Let me know the next time Big Fish comes in so I can shake his hand.”
God, I feel my cheeks turning ten shades of red as they laugh.
“Hey, let’s be nice and not get too carried away.” Sarah finally says. “It’s Junie after all. You know how she hates
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spending money. The laptop could still be a loaner from her gran or something. She had to finish the accounting
stuff so the new CPA can sort it out.”
I scowl in their direction.
Way to rub it in, guys.
Being poor and being a technophobe are two different things. It’s not like I don’t want to update my life and the
store.
“I’m surprised, though,” Sarah whispers. “I just didn’t think he was her type, you know? Like, I never figured she’d go for someone so… well…”
“Bossy?” Jake suggests. “Shitty? Rich?” The worst part is, he’s not wrong.
“Hot,” Sarah whispers, then dissolves into giggles. Okay, I’ve had enough.
“Guys,” I snap, poking my head through the door. “You do know I can hear your whole conversation, right?”
Sarah gasps and flushes up to her ears.
Jake clears his throat, awkwardly staring at his shoes like a kid caught with fireworks.
“So, uh… were we right?” he asks sheepishly. “Are you dating Big Fish?”
“First of all, you need to drop the nickname. He’s a paying customer and he shouldn’t be disrespected,” I say, like I haven’t been using it too. “Second, my private life is none of your business.”
“He hugged you!” Sarah blurts out.
“Hugs can be platonic,” I hiss back. But hell, if she saw it on camera, then she knows that hug wasn’t meant for friends. “Look, okay, yes, we’re… seeing each other. You could call it an arrangement.”
“Arrangement?” Sarah wrinkles her nose and tucks a strand of her hair back into her ponytail. “Way to make it sound like the least interesting relationship ever.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“You don’t exactly seem happy.” Jake looks at me, his previous embarrassment forgotten.
Yeah, I’m not.
I’m not happy about the relationship part. The money, on the other hand, is reason enough to smile. So I show my
teeth.
“We’re just testing the waters, guys. Nothing too serious.” “He’s giving you money,” Jake points out.
“I” I grit my teeth and take a deep breath. “We have a business agreement, okay? He happens to be a very big fan of what we do here. It’s for the store’s benefit, so do you guys think you could put a lid on gossiping for one minute and get back to work?”
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“Sure, sorry, it’s just slow today.” Jake points at the empty tables. “We’ve got nobody right now.”
“Yep, the perfect time for you to clean the bathroom.” I fold my arms, daring him to argue back.
“You don’t pay us enough for this,” he grumbles.
I grab a tea towel and flick it at his back. “Less complaining, more working, big boy. Or else you might not get paid at all.”
Everyone laughs.
It’s an empty threat and he knows it, but he grabs the cleaning equipment and heads into the bathroom while Sarah wipes down the tables again.
I head back into the kitchen and lean against the counter. My palms sweat and I wipe them on my pants.
This is fine. Fine.
It’s been two years since Liam. Two freaking years and I am so over his boring, noncommittal ass.
The staff gossiping about me and my nonexistent love life is normal, actually. Wouldn’t they gossip about anyone and their hot, rich new boyfriend?
So what if it’s fake?
And no matter how hot or rich he happens to be, Big Fish wouldn’t be my first, second, or last choice for a serious date.
But for a fake relationship, he’s peachy–and having his smug face in my head is just a reminder of the terms of the arrangement.
Mutually beneficial, remember?
If I play along like a good girl, then the Sugar Bowl might have a real future for the first time in my lukewarm tenure as boss.
I’m smart enough to avoid getting too invested in annoying, backstabby men.
I’ve been burned before and I’ve learned my lesson.
This is a two–way business partnership and not a real relationship. It’s not love or even casual dating.
Never again.
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Chapter 28
Chapter 28
