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Fuck, I had to get to Chloe. Did she know she didn’t get the internship? I hated to admit it, but nepotism ran high in small towns like Tranquility. The old saying it’s not what you know but whom you know holds tried and true.
However, I had to earn my position at Van de Graaf like the other interns. My 3.8-grade point average didn’t hurt.
Nancy’s impromptu visit kept me from opening on time. I couldn’t close and check on Chloe. But I could call my secret weapon to help me out. I texted my brothers. As predicted, they were hanging out at the cove, hoping to catch some waves. I anxiously waited for them to arrive. I gave them brief instructions before I sprinted out the back door. I didn’t want to come barreling in the front and disrupt Chloe’s customers.
Like most huts, Chloe kept her back storm door open, but the screen door closed. It allowed a flow of air without letting in flies or rodents. I stepped up in time to hear Nancy.
“And of course, I had to come and try the Cherry Bomb everyone is raving about. I’m celebrating my new internship with the Tranquility library,” Nancy stated with all the evilness she possessed.
Chloe stepped back as if she had been slapped. But her reaction hadn’t lasted long. She scooped out the ice cream and handed it to Nancy.
“On the house. As a congratulation,” Chloe offered. “I’m surprised you didn’t move to a big city where you could soak in all that culture you love so much.” I didn’t miss the snark in Chloe’s tone before she leaned over the counter. “I was offered a position with the Boston Public Library.”
Damn, I was getting hard at Chloe subtly giving it to Nancy.
“We can’t always get what we want,” Nancy snapped bitterly. “Not everyone has an inheritance to fall back on.”
That was interesting. Since when did Nancy have to earn her own money? Were the Donovans not in the same wealth bracket as the Manos or the Van de Graafs? From Nancy’s attitude and sense of entitlement since I’d known her, I would have bet my trust on it.
“Oh, my apologies for assuming your daddy would do anything for his little princess,” Chloe taunted. “I mean, that is what you’ve always said, right? That your father would do anything for his little princess, unlike mine, who dumped me on my spinster aunt?” Chloe’s chilly tone would freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Until I spoke to Chloe about the glue incident, I wasn’t aware of the extent of Nancy’s bullying.
“Enjoy your ice cream,” Chloe shooed Nancy aside. “I have other customers to serve.” Chloe went about her business, ignoring a fuming Nancy.
I saw Chloe’s shoulders sag once Nancy left Catherine’s Sweet Treats.
“That was awesome,” I heard Amanda gloat.
“Yeah, awesome,” Chloe sighed. “Only that’s why I didn’t talk to Peyton this morning.” Chloe pointed in the direction Nancy went. “That is the type of woman he wants.”
“No, it’s not,” I corrected.
Chloe spun to see me standing outside her screen door. “What are you doing here, Peyton?”
I hated the cold reception.
“I came to ask you to dinner. Despite what you saw this morning, Nancy is not the type of woman I want, Chloe. After work, come home with me and let me show you my operation,” I pleaded. “Let me prove that you are the kind of woman I want.”
