[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
in her seat. Business was concluded yet Katie didn t feel like leaving yet,
and Ric didn t seem to be in much of a hurry either. He cleared his throat
and she looked up expectantly.
Have you had breakfast? he asked. I m in the mood for coffee and
bagels.
www.samhainpublishing.com 45
Donna Alward
Breakfast? Hardly. She hadn t been able to eat a bite this morning in
all her nerves and preparation. No, I haven t eaten, she replied.
I have some time, he continued, and stood, smiling down at her.
We can talk about our ideas for the restaurant.
She put contract in the brown envelope he provided. That sounds
good.
He went to the counter and ordered two cinnamon raisin bagels and
two large coffees. Steam curled off the paper cups and mingled with the
scent of cinnamon and raisins.
Okay, he began easily, what should we tackle first?
Katie bit into her bagel, licking a spot of cream cheese from the
corner of her mouth. It was silly, but she felt self-conscious simply eating
in front of him. He always seemed put together, and sharing breakfast
took on an intimacy that was surprising. She made sure she swallowed
the entire mouthful before replying.
Well, I suppose we should look after renting the space first, making
sure of zoning, that sort of thing.
He nodded, took a drink of his coffee and winced. Ooh, that s hot,
he gasped, and Katie laughed, relaxing. Well, perhaps he wasn t quite
perfect.
You mentioned the tea room on Third. I have my reservations about
that location.
Katie put down her bagel and wiped her fingers on a paper napkin as
intimacy flew right out the window. This was how it would begin, then.
The very first issue and they would be at odds, and she could tell he was
used to getting his way. Perhaps being a partner wouldn t be such a good
idea, if he thought he could strong arm her. At least the papers weren t
signed yet.
46 www.samhainpublishing.com
The Girl Most Likely
Or, perhaps she was being over-defensive. She measured her words
carefully, keeping all accusation out of her tone.
You have a problem with the space I ve chosen? Why?
It s not central enough. Yes, it s downtown, but you want to be
somewhere where you ll get volume, and lots of it, especially during the
noon hour. I know of a property available&
She cut him off. Of course you do.
His mouth closed firmly at the acid in her tone and she uncrossed
her legs beneath the table. Now she was feeling patronized. Not only did
he not approve of her location, but he had an alternative all lined up.
How many other decisions would he take out of her hands?
What s that supposed to mean?
It means, I should have expected you d disagree with me and&
And have a viable alternative? How rude of me. His lips thinned and
he put down his coffee.
She blinked. What I mean is that this was my idea. It s my baby, as
you pointed out. I don t want or need you coming in and taking over,
remember?
He pushed his paper plate aside and leaned in on his elbows. It s my
money funding this operation. And guess what? I expect a return on it.
Don t forget, Katie, the main objective is to make money, and location is
a huge part of that. Your ego has nothing to do with this at all.
You ll say that every time you want to get your own way.
No, I ll say that every time my experience tells me what a right
decision is.
She shoved back from the table, her pride pricked. You re
insufferable. This was such a mistake. She gathered up her purse.
Sit down.
Her eyes widened at his imperious tone and she sat.
www.samhainpublishing.com 47
Donna Alward
Katie Buick, you want to be a grown up, act like one.
How dare you? You know nothing about me, she spit. Nothing at
all! Boy, she was getting sick and tired of being accused of immaturity.
Trying to overcome her shortcomings was like swimming upstream in a
strong current. It didn t matter how hard she tried, she didn t seem to get
anywhere and she was getting tired. She wasn t a party girl, at least not
anymore. And perhaps she d been lacking in motivation and ambition.
Until she d found a passion. Once she d found that, she d discovered she
had both those qualities in abundance.
I know enough to know you aren t mad about the location. You re all
upset because I suggested something different. You want everything your
way. Get over yourself, and think of the business first and not your
pride.
Gee, Ric, tell me how you really feel, she muttered, sucking her lips
back in from their sulking posture. It only fuelled her anger to know he
was right.
Then his lips squirmed as he tried not to smile at her pouting face.
She saw a tiny hint of teeth and found herself smiling back despite
herself. Suddenly they were laughing and the dark cloud of hostility
lifted.
Look, he said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes crinkling at the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl szkicerysunki.xlx.pl
in her seat. Business was concluded yet Katie didn t feel like leaving yet,
and Ric didn t seem to be in much of a hurry either. He cleared his throat
and she looked up expectantly.
Have you had breakfast? he asked. I m in the mood for coffee and
bagels.
www.samhainpublishing.com 45
Donna Alward
Breakfast? Hardly. She hadn t been able to eat a bite this morning in
all her nerves and preparation. No, I haven t eaten, she replied.
I have some time, he continued, and stood, smiling down at her.
We can talk about our ideas for the restaurant.
She put contract in the brown envelope he provided. That sounds
good.
He went to the counter and ordered two cinnamon raisin bagels and
two large coffees. Steam curled off the paper cups and mingled with the
scent of cinnamon and raisins.
Okay, he began easily, what should we tackle first?
Katie bit into her bagel, licking a spot of cream cheese from the
corner of her mouth. It was silly, but she felt self-conscious simply eating
in front of him. He always seemed put together, and sharing breakfast
took on an intimacy that was surprising. She made sure she swallowed
the entire mouthful before replying.
Well, I suppose we should look after renting the space first, making
sure of zoning, that sort of thing.
He nodded, took a drink of his coffee and winced. Ooh, that s hot,
he gasped, and Katie laughed, relaxing. Well, perhaps he wasn t quite
perfect.
You mentioned the tea room on Third. I have my reservations about
that location.
Katie put down her bagel and wiped her fingers on a paper napkin as
intimacy flew right out the window. This was how it would begin, then.
The very first issue and they would be at odds, and she could tell he was
used to getting his way. Perhaps being a partner wouldn t be such a good
idea, if he thought he could strong arm her. At least the papers weren t
signed yet.
46 www.samhainpublishing.com
The Girl Most Likely
Or, perhaps she was being over-defensive. She measured her words
carefully, keeping all accusation out of her tone.
You have a problem with the space I ve chosen? Why?
It s not central enough. Yes, it s downtown, but you want to be
somewhere where you ll get volume, and lots of it, especially during the
noon hour. I know of a property available&
She cut him off. Of course you do.
His mouth closed firmly at the acid in her tone and she uncrossed
her legs beneath the table. Now she was feeling patronized. Not only did
he not approve of her location, but he had an alternative all lined up.
How many other decisions would he take out of her hands?
What s that supposed to mean?
It means, I should have expected you d disagree with me and&
And have a viable alternative? How rude of me. His lips thinned and
he put down his coffee.
She blinked. What I mean is that this was my idea. It s my baby, as
you pointed out. I don t want or need you coming in and taking over,
remember?
He pushed his paper plate aside and leaned in on his elbows. It s my
money funding this operation. And guess what? I expect a return on it.
Don t forget, Katie, the main objective is to make money, and location is
a huge part of that. Your ego has nothing to do with this at all.
You ll say that every time you want to get your own way.
No, I ll say that every time my experience tells me what a right
decision is.
She shoved back from the table, her pride pricked. You re
insufferable. This was such a mistake. She gathered up her purse.
Sit down.
Her eyes widened at his imperious tone and she sat.
www.samhainpublishing.com 47
Donna Alward
Katie Buick, you want to be a grown up, act like one.
How dare you? You know nothing about me, she spit. Nothing at
all! Boy, she was getting sick and tired of being accused of immaturity.
Trying to overcome her shortcomings was like swimming upstream in a
strong current. It didn t matter how hard she tried, she didn t seem to get
anywhere and she was getting tired. She wasn t a party girl, at least not
anymore. And perhaps she d been lacking in motivation and ambition.
Until she d found a passion. Once she d found that, she d discovered she
had both those qualities in abundance.
I know enough to know you aren t mad about the location. You re all
upset because I suggested something different. You want everything your
way. Get over yourself, and think of the business first and not your
pride.
Gee, Ric, tell me how you really feel, she muttered, sucking her lips
back in from their sulking posture. It only fuelled her anger to know he
was right.
Then his lips squirmed as he tried not to smile at her pouting face.
She saw a tiny hint of teeth and found herself smiling back despite
herself. Suddenly they were laughing and the dark cloud of hostility
lifted.
Look, he said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes crinkling at the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]