Playing With Trouble (Desire Bay 1)

Jake looked to Walt for some backup and found the old man still texting.

“If you want to sell flowers, that’s fine. But the warehouse and flower shop need to stay disconnected. No crossing funds, profits, or anything.”

“This is about money,” she said.

Well, yeah. Because the warehouse made it, and the shop didn’t. So as long as that was understood up front, everything would be fine.

“I need start-up capital, and the warehouse and the shop are connected,” Laura said.

“I don’t sell flowers,” Jake said with finality.

“And I don’t work with the rocks and wood,” she said.

“But you want to fix the overhang and have ideas,” he started. “Which, let me guess, you’ll need money for?”

“Maintenance costs are part of running a lucrative business.”

Yep, this was snowballing fast, and Walt was—Jesus—was he playing Candy Crush now?

“Walt?” He got his mentor’s attention.

“Yes, son?” he said.

Deep down Jake loved it when Walt called him that. But judging by the look on Laura’s face, she didn’t.

“Can you give some guidance here? While Laura is staying for . . . ?”

“Indefinitely,” she said, but Jake had a feeling that wasn’t going to happen. But one thing at a time.

“If she’s running the flower shop”—with no flowers, he might add—“and the warehouse is still in business and separate, that is presenting a problem.”

“Mmm,” Walt said and scratched his chin. “I see your point, son.” With a deep breath, he clapped his hands together and smiled. “Well, son, you run the warehouse and Laura will run the shop.”

“But Daddy, they are one business. Should be run as one.”

Are not! Jake wanted to spit out, but he didn’t want to come off like an arguing child. He’d worked hard to build the warehouse. He made a profit from it. Laura had just showed up with a grand plan and zero funding.

“Mmm,” Walt said again. “I see your point, sugarplum.”

Oh, for Christ’s sake. Jake was going to lose his mind.

“Well, then I guess you two will have to work it out. I’m basically retired, you know that,” he said happily to Jake. And yes, Jake did know that. But officially and unofficially were different, because Walt was the owner. Not Jake. So he needed some kind of support here on

how to take this little endeavor of Laura’s forward—and how to survive it.

“Daddy, don’t you think just one person should be in charge of it all?” Laura suggested.

“Yes, I think you’re right,” Walt said, and Jake’s right eye began to twitch. “Jake, you run the warehouse, and Laura, you start working on flowers in the shop. After thirty days, whoever has done the best job will take over all of it. Time to make my retirement official, after all.”

“What?” Jake and Laura said in unison. They only thing they seemed to agree on was that this was crazy.

“Um, Daddy, seeing as how I’m your daughter, I should have access to the business. And the flower shop will need some TLC.”

Jake huffed—this was her subtle way of saying she needed money “from the business.” In other words, from his warehouse.

“Of course, sugarplum. Just talk to Jake. I’m sure he’s happy to work with you.”

That made Jake smile and cross his arms. Finally, something he could get behind.