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I sucked in a breath. The question represented a minefield. We weren’t friends, but he’d stopped by that one time when I was sick. I’d always thought if I needed him, he’d be there. I didn’t know for sure, though, because that belief was never tested.
“We went to school together. We were classmates and neighbors. I’d say acquaintances.” I hoped she hadn’t figured out my nephew and Ben’s daughter were on the same baseball team. I didn’t want a reporter showing up at a practice or game, hoping to sniff out a story. I could only hope the lack of details made the story boring, and she wouldn’t pursue it further.
“I think your history is so interesting. Everyone’s eyes will be on you two in the coming weeks. Which shop will come out on top?” She smiled to herself as she scribbled something in a small notebook.
An image of that headline popped into my head. Hailey would say it was good publicity, but I didn’t like it. I didn’t want anyone dissecting our past or pitting us against each other.
“Would you say you two are enemies?”
I winced at her characterization. “I wouldn’t say that. We’ve always respected each other.”
That much was true. We thought of each other as worthy adversaries. Our barbs never resorted to name calling or disrespect. Only healthy competition. Even when Ben said he’d really come out on top of our graduating class, I knew he was teasing me.
It was moments like that when I thought something else was simmering beneath his façade. Something more than mutual respect. Something more like attraction.
Thankfully, I’d never given into that thought. I shuddered to think what would have happened if I’d even suggested such a thing and he didn’t feel the same way. It would be one more thing for him to tease me about.
“I think I have enough.”
Enough? I hadn’t given her anything. I hoped I hadn’t revealed anything with my facial expressions.
“It was great meeting you,” Alisha said before walking outside.
Hailey came up to me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing good.” For the first time, I wondered if it was worse not to give her any details. A savvy reporter would fill in the empty blanks with her version of the story. I didn’t even want to know what that was.
ChapterTen
BEN
Bean Rush was packed all morning. Thankfully, we’d gotten the espresso machine up and running the day before. I had the repairman’s number in my phone in case something happened.
The photographer had stopped by, as Gia promised, and even a reporter who wanted to interview me. I hadn’t expected that. Alisha had been particularly interested in the photos of the lemonade stands I’d put up on a whim last night when Cammie stopped by with Mom and Dad to see the store.
I’d had them framed, not sure what I’d do with them. Maybe hang them in the hallway to my office, but Cammie insisted they belonged in the dining area.
Every time I looked at the one of Brooke, it brought everything back. Our ongoing feud, but also the chemistry between us. I’d never acted on it, but I’d wondered if she felt it, too.
Cammie had really latched on to Brooke. I couldn’t blame her. I’d always been drawn to Brooke myself, even though it had never been a good idea. With the town, and now the reporter, pitting us against each other, nothing would change anytime soon.
The rush didn’t stop until closing. The pastries had long since been eaten; the grand opening banner hung askew out front. The most popular beans were already running low, and I’d need to place an order if I didn’t want to run out.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I locked the front door and flipped the sign fromOpentoClosed. I’d sent Christopher home at dinner time, so I was alone. Finally.
With my feet aching, I moved through the space, picking up any trash I’d missed on my way to the office. Throughout the day, customers had mentioned that Java Coffee was offering free coffee. I wanted nothing more than to confront Brooke about it. My gut burned with the need to walk over there and ask her what the hell she’d been thinking. But we weren’t friends. We were and always would be competitors. There was no world where we could shrug that off and be anything different. That was our storyline, and there would be no plot twist.
I thought I’d let her in this past weekend. I’d given her a glimpse into who I was, but it hadn’t changed her perspective. The logical part of my brain got it, but my lizard brain was itching for an argument.
Before I could think better of it, I was shutting down my computer and grabbing my keys. I knew I should go home and work off my energy, but there was one thing I needed to do first.
I needed to see Brooke Langley. My chest was tight with anger and frustration. I needed to know what she was thinking. The entire walk to her store, all I could think about was the moment I’d see her. Her eyes would widen as I approached, and I’d tug her hair back so she could see me. I should demand she tell me why, but I knew if I were that close to her, I’d lose it. With no barrier between us, no kids or employees, I’d finally find out what her lips felt like.
I was disappointed she wasn’t standing outside her store as she’d been in my imaginings. Stopping outside her store window, I saw her standing by the counter, her expression downcast, but I could see the bright pink of her lipstick and her hair slicked back into a shiny ponytail. She was put together, but her shoulders had drooped. She was as exhausted as I was.
It hit me that she hadn’t held the sale to ruin my grand opening. She’d been trying to save her business. I tugged on the door, expecting it to be locked, but it easily opened.
She looked up, her eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth fell open when she saw me.
