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Ryan took a cookie off the tray and bit into it, looking at me with a cocked brow. “Kroger?” he asked with a little grin.
“Kroger,” I confirmed.
He smiled and pulled me down onto his lap and the girls made faces of disgust. I just laughed and shook my head, placing a big wet kiss on Ryan’s cheek.
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
I smiled and nuzzled his cheek, “You’re going to have to prove it.”
He just grinned and pressed his lips to mine and I was instantly transported back to our very first kiss. This was my life and I couldn’t have been happier with the way it turned out. I’d spent most of my teenage years thinking I was unlovable until Ryan came back into my life.
He’d saved me. I knew that without a doubt.
Best Seller: Rock Hard Fake Groom
A SINGLE DAD, FAKE MARRIAGE ROMANCE
CHAPTER ONE – SARAH TILLERMAN
“Great, did you hear that?” Barney stared down the road where a man from next door to my bakery had just ridden off on his motorcycle. “You’re going to be hearing it night and day.”
I dipped my sponge and wrung it out so the suds turned foamy in my bucket. “This was the only location I could afford, besides, bikers eat cake too, right? Maybe I could do a specialty pastry inspired by leather and chrome.”
“I don’t think that would help.” Barney, my sister’s husband, had way too many opinions and loved hearing himself talk.
My sister, Angie, came out wiping her hands on her jeans. She’d been inside cleaning and stood back to look at my windows. “Great job, sis. You’ve got those windows looking new. I finished up inside and now you just have to fill the shelves with deliciousness.”
“Who’s that?” Barney shielded his eyes from the sun and I turned to see a car pulling into the parking lot in front of my business.
“That’s got to be the inspector.” I turned toward Barney, giving a warning glare. “You let me do the talking. It’s my shop, remember.” Barney had a way of shooting his mouth off and I really needed to pass inspection. I was so glad I’d gotten the windows cleaned and everything was officially scrubbed up and ready for the grand opening, bright and early on Monday - as long as I passed this inspection.
The man got out and made his introductions and I showed him inside. He went over the check list of my requirements and all was going well at first, until we came to the kitchen.
“Your floor drain is capped. That will have to be opened up. And I see you don’t have the extra sink. That’s a requirement. Your freezers are not up to temp and your overhead light will need to be replaced with
a proper cover. When is your grand opening planned?” The man was all business and quite intimidating.
“Monday, but I was going to bake and prep over the weekend.” My heart sank. I’d waited all week for this man to come and he’d arrived so last minute that now I wouldn’t have much time to fix anything - much less install a sink with new plumbing.
The man walked around looking at the rest of the shop. “You’ve done a lot of work. The best I can do is come back on Sunday to give you my approval. I know it seems like a lot of work, but you’ve got time. I’ve seen miracles before.” He handed me a piece of paper and hurried out.
Angie and Barney, who’d waited outside came in once he left. Angie met my eyes and offered a hug of support. “How bad was it?”
I pulled away and showed her the paper. “It could have been worse I guess. The biggest thing was the sink. I have to have a separate one for hand washing, and it has to be installed by Sunday when he comes back.” I wasn’t worried about the cap over the drain or the stupid light, and the freezer hadn’t had enough time to reach its proper temp, but it would. Even the sink wouldn’t be so bad if I had the money to deal with it.
I swallowed a hard lump that had formed in my throat. “I’m running out of money. I’ll have to close shop before it even opens.”
“Get a loan.” Barney shrugged like his suggestion was the answer to everything and my sister seemed to agree.
“I’m sure the sink won’t be too much. There’s still time to go down to the bank if you want to. I’ll ride with you and Barney can stay here.” She nudged her husband who nodded.
“There’s one problem. I’ve already tried to get a loan and was denied.” I was ashamed to admit it, but my ex had ruined my credit before our nasty break up.
Angie’s eyes narrowed with anger. “Why would they refuse you?”
The last thing I wanted to do was relive my last miserable relationship, but I could tell that Angie expected an answer. “Darrel stopped paying on the motorcycle.”
