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Her eyes narrowed. “Shipment?”
“I’m sorry. This is Paulo. I work for the Andropolis family, and we were told to expect a shipment soon of your delicious pastries.”
“Excuse me?” Her gaze swung to Nik, but he was busy playing with Mia. He wasn’t paying attention to her startling conversation with the stranger on the other end. “I don’t understand. Why would you be expecting...”
“Nikolas Andropolis told me himself that he wants us to add your pastries to a special breakfast tray. I need to know when to add them to the menu for our guests.”
She sighed. “I don’t know anything about this, and I most certainly did not authorize it.” Her gaze went to Nik as he continued to play the cat game with Mia. Her eyes narrowed, and she said, “But I think I know who did. I’ll be in touch or your boss will.”
Chloe disconnected the call.
Nik pretended to put another flea collar on their daughter.
Mia gave it a second before playfully scratching at her face with her little hand.
Chloe’s hands went to her hips. “Honey, can you go up to your room? Mommy needs to have a talk with Daddy.”
Mia blinked at her. “Are you going to yell at Daddy?”
Lips compressed, Chloe nodded. “I think I am. Close your door if it bothers you, and remember it doesn’t mean anything. Sometimes adults have to yell because other adults don’t listen when they talk normal.”
Mia got up from the table and gave Nik a half-smile. “Sorry, Daddy.”
She raced from the room.
Chloe threw her hands into the air. “Why do I feel like the bad guy all the time since you showed up?”
Nik shrugged and remained seated. “Maybe it’s because you yell more than I do.”
“I do not!” She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and counted to ten. Sometimes she felt like she had two children instead of one. “Believe it or not, I never yelled until you came back into my life. You can’t rearrange everything to suit you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you or did you not start selling my baked goods at your casino?”
“No.” He didn’t even blink. But the second she started to relax, he added to his denial. “I am selling your baked goods in my hotel as part of a special breakfast tray.”
She bit her lower lip to keep from screaming. Gathering her thoughts, she tried to explain why that was a bad idea. Hopefully, he would listen. “I know you were raised an Andropolis, so I understand our values are different. The way we view the world is different. But if you want to have a relationship with me, you need to stop holding my business hostage.”
Nik rolled his eyes. “Hostage? Really? I am trying to help.”
“Who asked you?”
She forgot about the cream puffs in the oven and stormed out of the room. He followed her into the spacious living area. She fixed it so the couch would be between them while they argued. Nik could charm her into anything... if he could get his hands on her. One touch and she was lost.
“This is going to be great for your business,” he said. “I had a little pamphlet made up telling guests about your bakery and how they’ll be able to order your delicious creations online soon. You’ll be selling all over the country by next year. Hell, maybe even the world.”
She shook her head. “That isn’t what I want. I love my little bakery the way it is, Nik. I know it isn’t successful in your eyes, but it’s mine. Everything about it came from me... until you got involved.”
He blinked. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“You keep telling me that you want this to work. You want us to work.”
“That’s right,” he said. “I do.”
She took a deep breath. “Then give me back my bakery. You can have it or me. Not both. I’m serious. I want my bakery back. Now.”
“I don’t usually fold to ultimatums,” he said. She started to rush by him on her way back to the kitchen where she planned to slam cabinet doors so he would know how upset she was with him. He caught her by the arm and swung her back around. “Let me finish, please. I don’t usually fold to ultimatums, so don’t make it a habit. But I will sign your bakery back over to you tomorrow.”
