How about I come pick you up tonight? Instead of meeting at the restaurant?
I frown. Did the man bug my room or what? It’s like he heard the conversation between my mom and me.
I’d rather just meet you at the restaurant. It’s easier, I reply.
He immediately answers.
It’s no trouble. Really.
The guy doesn’t quit. From what I can tell—and I barely know him—he’s always determined to get what he wants. It’s rather annoying. I need to nip this in the bud.
I’d rather you not meet my family. And I’d rather drive my own car.
There. Brutally honest might shut him up. Though I immediately feel guilty for sending such a bitchy text, I push the unwanted emotion aside. I need to remind myself he’s a jerk who only wants one thing from me.
And it’s not sex. He wants to make money off my family.
This time he takes a little longer to reply.
I have met your family. Your aunt . . . remember?
I let out a sigh. He fights just to fight, doesn’t he? I think he likes going round and round.
Then meet me at the bakery at seven. Though I’ll probably be alone. Gina leaves early.
I should make Gina stick around as the buffer. The last thing we need is to be at the bakery alone again. He might try and spread me naked across my desk and have his wicked way with me.
Lord help me, that sounds delicious.
I’ll see you at the bakery at seven then.
Nothing else. No more trying to convince me to let him come to my house, no more nothing. I think I might’ve offended him.
I know I shouldn’t care. I know it’s pointless, but . . .
I feel bad.
Chapter Eight
Marina
“HOPE YOUR BOY Toy shows up soon. I’m about ready to take off,” Gina mutters as she wipes her hands on a rag at the sink. She’s just finished making a new creation, and I told her I’d wanted her to stick around for Gage’s arrival so I could use her for protection.
She’d been surprised but hadn’t made me explain myself too much, thank God. Just nodded, told me she was in the mood to experiment and since it was my Uncle Joe’s poker night, she would stay after work and hang out with me.
So I watched her make a chocolate raspberry cake that smelled divine and had the best frosting I’ve ever tasted. All the while, we talked. About the bakery, what our individual plans were for the next year, what we thought we could to do take the bakery to a higher level.
It was fun. My aunt is savvy about business, creative, with an endless list of ideas. I briefly explained how I was going to meet Archer. She thought it was a fabulous idea, which pleased me. I wanted her on board. I consider Gina my business partner, and I hope she feels the same way.
Plus, she helped ease my nerves about Gage coming to pick me up and take me to dinner. As the time draws closer to Gage showing up, I’m worrying about potentially bad situations. Like the two of us alone in his car on the way to the restaurant. Yeah, that could be scary.
Scary and exciting, if the two emotions can coexist.
I believe when it comes to Gage and me, they definitely can.
“Where’s he at?” Gina asks, interrupting my thoughts. “It’s almost quarter after seven.”
I push down the threatening irritation, glancing down at my black sparkly top and picking off a piece of lint. I finally decided on a top that shows off a lot of skin without looking sluttish. Because I don’t want to tempt Gage or give him the wrong message. I refuse to have sex with him again tonight.
And if he keeps me waiting much longer, we will most definitely not be having sex tonight. Or any other night.
“So he goes from Rat Boy to Boy Toy?” I ask her, wanting to change the focus of our conversation. If we keep going on about how late he is, I’m just going to get madder.
“Oh, yes.” She smiles. “Rat Boy is quite handsome, so that’s a bit of a stretch for a nickname, you know? He’s got that pretty face I’m sure you enjoy staring at.”
I feel my cheeks heat but don’t say anything. I do enjoy looking at that pretty face. She knows me too well.
“And who wouldn’t? I don’t mind looking at it either.” Her smile blossoms into a full-blown grin. “Has your mama met him yet?”
“God, no,” I mutter. “She’d flip out and have us engaged within minutes.”
Gina laughs. She knows it’s true. “She’d probably be picking out your wedding china patterns and prepping the baby announcements.”
I laugh with her. “She knows I’m going out to dinner with him, but I told her it was nothing serious. That it’s just business.”
“Business, huh?” You know, the more I think about it, I find it hard to believe. He’s a charmer, that man. I think you might’ve fallen under his spell.” Gina raises a skeptical eyebrow, but I ignore it.
“Really, Gina. This has nothing to do with his charm and everything to do with talking to Archer Bancroft about your desserts in his hotels. Remember?” When she nods reluctantly, I continue. “He’s good friends with Archer. We’re going out to dinner with him and his fiancé. I hope to present my idea in the next week or two, but tonight will help break the ice.”
“Ah, such a wonderful idea. Truly.” Gina takes off her dirty apron and tosses it into the laundry hamper, then comes toward me and wraps me into a big hug. “Such a smart girl you are, Marina. I wish your parents could see how much you love the bakery. I’m afraid they’re going to sell it.”