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Olivia sets a fresh martini in front of me, and I take a gulp. There isn’t enough alcohol to get me through all this. “I’m at a loss for what to do. I love my job. For the past six years, I’ve been working for Della with hopes of me eventually buying the business when she retires. Now everything has gone up in smoke.” I trace the base of the glass with my finger.
“You think he’ll sell it?” Parisa asks.
“I’m not sure. He mentioned doing that, but he phrased it more like a question than a statement. He doesn’t have any reason to keep it. In the seven years I’ve been there, I’ve never seen him come in.”
“Maybe you can buy it from him?” Tatum asks.
“No bank will approve me for a loan. Not yet anyway. My credit is still shit. While I have some money in savings, it’s not enough.” I stare at the olive submerged in the bottom of my drink.
“Perhaps you can convince him not to sell? Show him that the community loves the bakery and would be lost without it.” Charlie takes a sip of her martini.
My head snaps up. “You might be onto something. He agreed to let me finish a couple of orders and he said he’ll help.”
“Does he have any baking experience?” Tatum asks.
I release a humorless laugh. “That’s a big fat no. So, it should be fun.”
“Okay, all that aside. How was seeing him again? Did you get the urge to rip his clothes off? I won’t lie. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of his dance moves.” Olivia leans in, elbows resting on the table.
Heat creeps up my neck. I attempt to hide my smile behind the rim of my martini glass, but by the way everyone is gawking at me, I’m failing miserably. Van wasn’t a hit it and forget it kinda guy. He’s entered my dreams, uninvited, on multiple occasions.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’s getting her dollar bills ready for another show,” Parisa says.
“No. No. It wasn’t anything like that. Yes, he’s gorgeous. Anyone with eyes can see that. But circumstances have changed. He’s technically my boss now. And not to mention ten years younger than me.”
“You’re our first cougar!” Olivia shouts.
“Quiet.” I press my pointer finger to my lips, shushing her. “I don’t think the people down the street heard you.”
“Girl, own it. You had an amazing night with this young, hot stud and guess who comes back into your life. At the very least, it could be fun. That’s all I’m saying.” Olivia shrugs.
“My night with Van was the best I’ve had in—ever. But that’s all it can be. My top priority is the bakery, keeping my job, and convincing him not to sell. I can’t worry about anything else.” I glance down at my half empty drink.
“You’ve made the batter, now you need to put it in the oven and let it bake. Then you can eat cake off each other’s naked bodies,” Olivia says.
“That. You should do that.” Charlie points her drink in Olivia’s direction, nodding her head.
“Orgasm coercing would do the trick. Is that a thing? It should be a thing,” Parisa says.
“I’m not going to sleep with him so he keeps the bakery.” I glance between the four girls.
“Sleep with him for you. If he keeps the bakery, that’s a bonus.” Olivia flashes me a salacious smile.
“You guys are ridiculous. I need to show him why the community loves The Sweet Spot, not spend our time between the sheets.” But the thought of him hovering above me, his lips on mine in a searing hot kiss exactly like our night at the hotel, has me clenching my thighs together.
“Well, try it your way first and if it doesn’t work, get naked.” Olivia shimmies her shoulders.
All the girls clink their glasses together. The angel on my shoulder is whispering to use my words while the devil is shouting to rip off his clothes. Right now, one is more tempting than the other. I’ll find out tomorrow when I see him which one wins.
TEN
LICK SOMETHING ELSE
Van
“Keith, keep an ear out if you hear of anyone who’s looking to buy a business or a bakery.”
“I can get in touch with a realtor if you’d like.” His tone is stoic through my earbud.
