AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Yeah, but not you. You can keep this hellhole all to yourself."
He laughs once again. "Then who are you here to buy?"
"The Sugar Breeze Bakery."
The ball lands in his hand roughly, but he doesn't throw it again. He turns to look at me, his face fallen, and his smile gone.
"Really?"
"You've heard of it, then?" I ask.
"Of course, I have. All of Barton Beach has heard of it. It's the best bakery in town."
"Good." I nod to myself before leaning down to grab my briefcase. Pulling out the papers on the bakery again, I review the details. "So, you know Denise Lawson?"
Bash glares at me.
"That's what you wanted to talk to me about?" His voice is laden with disappointment. "You just want to weasel out the details for some shitty deal you're working on?"
"It's not like that."
"Really? Because right now, it sounds like that."
I sigh through my nose. "Bash, if I get Denise to sell, I'll get the promotion of a lifetime."
"It's always about the promotions with you. Why not try to enjoy your life? You only get one."
"I enjoy my life just fine," I say, feeling my teeth clashing together as I talk. "And besides, you didn't let me finish."
Bash waves his hands in a gesture that suggests the stage is all mine before crossing his arms firmly over his chest.
"I came out a day early so we could hang out. You know, catch up."
He frowns, but I can see his stiff posture is easing up. "What do you want to do?"
I shrug. "I figured I could crash at your place tonight. Grab a few beers. Find out how life is way out here on the beach."
He narrows his eyes like he's trying to sniff out the lie.
"I'm serious, Bash," I say earnestly. "It feels like it's been years since I've sat in the same room as you. I'm technically here on my company's dollar. But I still want to catch up."
After a moment, he caves. "Fine. I'll tell you about Sugar Breeze, and we'll grab a drink. I'll get Tucker to cover for me."
"I don't want a drink from here, though," I say, smirking. "We'll go somewhere where the drinks are good."
He pretends to throw the baseball at my head, and I duck, laughing.
"Now, tell me what you know about the Sugar Breeze Bakery."
"Well," he says, pensively. "Like I said, it's a popular place around here. Used to be owned by her mom, though I don't remember her name."
"But she died, right?"
"About a year ago, yeah."
"What can you tell me about the new owner?" I ask him, my chair squeaking beneath me as I lean forward. "Denise Lawson."
"I've been there a few times, but I've only seen her about half of that," Bash admits. "She always seems out of breath, like she's just come back from a five-mile jog. I'm guessing she stays pretty busy in that place."
