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“Sure, he’ll draw some away, but I think you’d keep a fair amount. Especially if we increase our offerings to entice them back.”
A part of me wanted to give into self-pity and fall down the rabbit hole of despair. But I refused to do that. Failure wasn’t in my DNA. I’d keep going. No matter what. “You’re right. We’ll be fine.”
“Exactly.”
I wondered if I should tell her everything. This pesky attraction to Ben could affect my business, and Hailey was my manager. “Last night, I did something stupid.”
Hailey snorted, pulling her water bottle out of her bag. “I doubt that.”
I thought through what happened, wondering how much to tell her. “Ben stopped by after closing.”
Hailey’s eyes widened as she focused on me. “What? Why?”
I shook my head slowly. “He said he wanted to confront me about me handing out free coffees on his opening day.”
“He wanted to?” Hailey asked, confusion lacing her tone.
“He kissed me instead.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What did you say?”
“I said Ben Monroe kissed me.” My cheeks heated.
Hailey leaned in closer. “How was it?”
I winced. “What do you mean, how was it? I shouldn’t be kissing him at all.”
Hailey waved me off in her excitement for details. “But was it good?”
My gaze unfocused as I remembered the expression on his face right before his lips met mine. Determined and hot. That look zinged directly to my clit. “It was earth-shattering.”
“Oh, do tell me more.” Hailey shifted forward in her seat, her hands clasped in her lap.
“There’s not much to tell.” Not much I would share, even if I wanted to.
“Was there tongue?”
“What is this, high school?”
She pouted at my lack of response, so I offered her some detail. “He kind of crossed the room and put his hand on the back of my head, angling me until I was right where he wanted me.” I was getting warm thinking about it. “Then he picked me up and put me on the counter.”
Hailey picked up a folder waving it at her face. “Oh, this is getting good.”
“That’s where it stopped.”
Her face fell. “Seriously? I had such high hopes.”
“It was the best kiss I’ve had in forever, really.” I’d gone on a few blind dates and one online dating disaster. A few attempted to kiss me, but nothing had been more thannice.
“I’m so excited for you.”
I sighed. “Don’t be. It can’t be anything.”
Hailey’s shoulders slumped. “Don’t say that.”
I pushed the paper toward her. “You’ve seen this. Do you honestly think it’s a good idea for us to get involved?”
She rolled her eyes. “That will blow over.”
