Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“No employee discount?” he asks.

“You’re not now, nor will you ever be, my employee.” I’d rather go out of business.

“Ouch.” He winces and then shrugs as he passes me a five-dollar bill. “Give the change to Gretch, will ya?”

I roll my eyes and turn to the cash register. Miles takes his time making his coffee, then turns with a wave for Gretchen. “Have a good day, hon. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Bye,” Gretchen calls after him. When the door closes behind his sorry ass, I turn to my employee.

“Why are you still seeing him?”

“Don’t start, Aspen,” she says with a sigh. “I know you don’t like him, but I do.”

“Why do you look so tired?”

“Because I was up late and had to work early this morning.” She presses her lips together, and it’s clear she doesn’t want to say anything more about it.

“Gretch, I don’t want to see you unhappy, and he makes you unhappy.”

She smiles at me, trying to make it bright and cheerful, but it falls way short.

“I’m totally happy and completely fine. I promise. I’m just tired. No need to worry about me.”

Oh, there’s every need to worry. I’ve seen idiots like him all my life. Controlling, manipulative, mean bullies. I’ll never understand why she can’t seem to kick him to the curb after knowing him for less than a month.

“Okay, I’ll drop it. But I’m here if you need to talk, a place to stay, anything. Please promise me if you’re ever in trouble, you’ll call me right away.”

“I promise.” It’s a whisper. I want to shake her and make her talk to me. But I know that won’t work. I have to give her space and let her come to her own conclusions about that loser.

It’s a slow Friday morning. The lunch crowd picks up a bit, but it’s dead again by the time my new hires arrive, reporting for the afternoon shift. If they were both fully trained, I’d let one of them go home, but for now, I’d like them to work together.

“What are your plans this evening?” Gretchen asks as we leave the café and I head over to my car. Miles is late picking her up.

“Housewarming party for Liam and Ellie up at their new place,” I reply. “It’s all decorated the way she wants, and she’s ready to show it off. It’s just a casual get-together. How about you?”

“I’m not sure what Miles has planned. He said it was a surprise.”

“Why don’t you sound excited?”

She shrugs, and for the first time, it looks like she might actually admit that there’s trouble in paradise. But before she can say anything, a car screeches to a stop in front of us, and the passenger door flings open.

“Get in, babe.”

“I hate that guy,” I mutter, only for Gretchen to hear.

“I’ll see you later,” she says and hops into Miles’ car. The door shuts, and he tears away, leaving me scowling at the taillights.

When I approach my Honda, I grin, and my mood instantly lifts.

“You didn’t have to meet me here.”

“Have to? No.” Callum’s hands are in his pockets as he leans on my vehicle. He has sunglasses on, even though it’s overcast. His dark hair is windswept.

I could eat him with a spoon.

“But I missed you today, and I wanted to see you right away.”

He pushes off my car and pulls me in for a big hug. Callum’s good at hugs. If it were an Olympic sport, which it should be, he’d be a gold medalist.

“How was your day, love?”

“Kind of boring, actually. Now that we’re firmly out of tourist season, we’re slow.”

“I can guarantee you that there will be no more boredom for the rest of the day.”

I glance around but don’t see David. “Where’s your detail?”

“Worried for me?”

I just raise a brow, expecting an answer.

“No need to be concerned. He’s parked two spaces down and will follow us up to Ellie and Liam’s.”

“Do you mind driving?” I ask him. “I’m tired, and a little brain dead. I could use the time to gather myself before I’m around a bunch of people.”

“Of course, I don’t mind.” He opens the passenger door for me, and once I’m settled inside, he walks around the car, waves at David, and gets into the driver’s seat. “I’ve never driven a Honda before.”

“I’m sure you haven’t.” I giggle at the thought. “What kind of car do you own in London?”

“My favorite is the Porsche. That baby can move.”

“So, you have more than one?”

“Technically, the royal family owns the entire fleet. I believe there are more than forty vehicles at my disposal.”

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. Forty cars. Most likely, all luxury vehicles. Because…royalty.

“Well, this won’t move like your Porsche, but she does well in the snow and on windy roads.”

“Safety is the most important,” he says with a wink and maneuvers us through town and up the mountain road toward Whitetail Mountain Resort, which boasts a world-class ski resort in the winter, and biking and hiking trails in the summer, along with zip lining and other outdoor activities.