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By the next morning, I had all the sadness out of my system.
I made my morning coffee with ice in my veins. I was untouchable. I was the she-warrior who didn’t give a shit if some man cared about me. He was still giving me a job, right?
I was going to show up for work, knock that crap out of the park, and I wasn’t going to even give him one flirtatious blink. If he still wanted something from me, he’d have to get on his knees and beg for it. And even if he begged, he’d have to hope I was feeling generous.
I’d also emailed my mentor in France and let him know I would be available to do another stint in his kitchen if he was willing. I got free food, lodging, and priceless experience in France. It would mean throwing away the job opportunity I thought was perfect, but maybe it was also the only way to keep my sanity.
Besides, I didn’t have to accept the opportunity if my mentor agreed. It was just an escape route I was preparing in case things went nuclear here in Fairhope.
But I was feeling very scorched earth. He wanted to act like what we had didn’t mean anything? I could pretend, too.
Then I saw his text.
Greyson: We have a grand opening date. Will you be ready in three weeks?
I stared at the words. There wasn’t even a little teensy touch of an apology. He was going to just pretend none of it ever happened? I felt a little shell around my heart harden. So that’s how it was going to be, was it? Fine. I could be cold, too.
I texted back, giving him the bare minimum.
Harper: Yes. Would you like me to come help set up the equipment?
I watched the little conversation dots appear, disappear, appear, and then disappear for a long time. After three solid minutes, his reply came.
Greyson: Yes. You can come today.
I worked my lips to the side. All that sadness I’d felt last night had very effectively shifted into anger. His attempts to pretend nothing happened weren’t helping. I wanted to swing back, even if it was in a petty way. Besides, I had plans to meet with my mom at the bakery for lunch and then I was seeing Lin and Farrah tonight.
Harper: Today doesn’t work. I’ll get back to you. Maybe tomorrow.
This time, his reply came blazingly fast.
Greyson: I’m taking a big risk hiring you. If you want this job, I expect you to be available when I need you.
Oh hell no he didn’t. I set the phone down and had to smile, shaking my head in disbelief. He was going to act pissy with me?
Harper: If you work up a schedule for me in advance, I’ll work my calendar around it to fit.
I nearly typed a few more things. I almost ended the text with “fucker.” I also almost told him to shove the stupid job up his annoyingly perfect ass. But if France didn’t work out, this might be my only and best opportunity, even if it felt far less perfect than it had just yesterday. So what if I hated my boss? So what if he’d given me some of the best sex of my life and then turned out to be a complete, raging asshole? He was my shot to run my own kitchen and do it all while staying in Fairhope. I couldn’t screw this up, so I set the phone down and turned it on silent. No more angry texting. At least for this morning. At least not until I knew I had a firm escape plan in place.
I went to see my mom and managed not to admit anything about what I’d been doing with Greyson. We just talked about the new job and my dad helped brighten my mood with some of his usual goofiness.
I headed home to shower and get ready to meet Lin and Farrah at one of the local watering holes. We were going to get a few drinks and some bar food. It was just what I needed. A little girl talk. A little venting. A little booze. Hell, maybe I’d even find a cute guy and steal a couple dances. Then again, I knew all the cute guys in town already and none of them interested me. Especially not after…
Ugh. I put my palms to my face and shook that thought away before it could form.
I was going to have fun tonight, and it would have nothing to do with Greyson.
I spent an extra half hour on my hair and makeup, and then I picked out the sexiest outfit I could manage without feeling like I was obviously trying to turn heads. I felt like there might just be flames following in my wake with how pissed I felt. I was doing a decent job of suppressing it. I was all smiles and happy eyes on the surface. Beneath, it felt like a current of magma was running through my veins. Every time I thought about the last few days, it got me more pissed.
