Page 61 of Tricked in October
She searched the Daily Grind cafe, bleary eyed from the lack of sleep the night before. There was something about the risk of losing your family business and having feelings for your friend that made it impossible to sleep.
Christian stood up at a table near the back and gave her a wave. She smiled and stepped in line to order herself a coffee. Today, she’d get an extra-large Americano. She neededallthe shots of espresso. If she could, she’d shoot them straight into her veins.
After making small talk with the barista while her drink was being prepared, Kelsey joined Christian at the table for two.
“I’m so glad you changed your mind and agreed to meet me,” Christian said, smiling brightly as he shook her hand. He presented the empty seat across from him and she gingerly sat down.
“I’ll be honest, I’m still a little confused as to why you wanted to meet with me.” Kelsey took a sip of her coffee, thankful for the inch of cream she’d requested as to not burn her tongue.
“Confused? I’m an idiot, I should’ve come into the bar earlier in the week. Then hopefully we could’ve done this sooner.”
Was that a line? Was this guy hitting on her? Or was this only business? She wasn’t very good at this stuff.
“What were you doing in Pineridge this week?” she asked over the brim of her coffee cup.
“Work.” He peered at her, and she felt a light flutter in her chest. Even though this wasn’t a date, the way he looked at her made her think that maybe, someday dating would be possible. “And let me just cut to the chase, I don’t normally mix business with pleasure. I didn’t solely want to meet with you because I think you’re beautiful, but it was also because I have a proposition for you.”
Her heart raced and her mind swished with confusion. She’d known this meeting was strictly business, and yet the flattery was a surprised bonus.
“As I’m sure you saw on my business card, I work for an investment company in Denver and I’m very interested in buying O’Henry’s—”
“Wait. What?” she interrupted.
“I assumed you knew that?” His brows raised.
She set her cup down and flexed her fingers, her heart racing. “I knew you worked for an investment company yes, but I didn’t know you were interested in buying O’Henry’s. Like completely.”
“I’ve already met with the O’Henrys and they voiced their reservations over you losing the place. So, we’d like to offer you the manger position. Of course you’d get the whole package, retirement, paid vacations, health insurance,” he rambled, but it was difficult to hear with the thundering in her ears.
She jumped to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
“Whoa, whoa,” he said, raising his palms as his eyes scanned the cafe. “There’s no need to get worked up. Let’s keep this professional, shall we?”
She glanced over both shoulders and sat shakily once again. “Professional? You’re the one who was flirting, and you want to keep this professional?”
“Oh, um…” He paused, rubbing at the back of his neck. “You thought I was flirting?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she bit out.
“Look, the way I see it, it’s a win win for you. The bar stays open, and you can still call the shots. All without the headache.”
“No,” she ground out.
“I think, if you have a chance to look over our official offer—”
“No,” she cut him off and pushed against the table to stand again. Blood pounded in her ears. Her fingers trembled and when she spoke her words vibrated in her chest. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m not selling.”
Because of course she would still be cordial. She was Kelsey O’Henry. She pushed out the door, her name being called behind her, but she didn’t turn around. She’d been so stupid to think an investor from the city would make her a serious offer, and to think they might allow her to remain as a partner. In doing so, they wouldn’t make as much money. But to her it wasn’t about the money.
Tears built in the corners of Kelsey’s eyes before breaking free. She shuffled into the bakery next door. Her mama stood behind the counter, filling the display case with her delicious pumpkin spice macaroons. One would never guess the night before she’d been drunk as a skunk, serenading O’Henry’s with one of the worst renditions of “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 she’d ever heard.
“Hey, love bug,” her mama greeted her in singsong and a happy smile until she took in her face. “Uh oh. Come give your mama a hug and tell her all about it.”
Kelsey collapsed into a heap of blubbering sobs, clinging to her mama. It was times like this she was grateful her mama was at least an experienced alcoholic. She had her routine down, knew how to sober up, which meant she already smelled like booze. She probably needed that Bloody Mary to get her going this morning after last night.
But she was still her mama and she loved her fiercely, she only hated the disease. At times, she had some strong feelings about her dad too for his hand in her mama’s choices.
“You got any salted caramel macarons to spare?”
