Best Served Cold

I waved them goodbye. The second the door clicked shut, I took a deep breath. Today had been a roller coaster ride, but it was amazing how something could click into place so easily in just a second of inspiration.

And inspiration was now something I was full of.

I headed to the back to do some more research without a single thought of Chase and the almost-kiss crossing my mind.

***

CHASE: You have an Instagram for the store?

The text popped up as I was halfway through trawling the internet for mermaid tail molds. It was that, or I’d have to up my game and make waffle bras for the sundaes, and that seemed like a lot of screwing around.

Or I could make them tails in banana split dishes. Hmm…

I grabbed my phone to text him back.

ME: Me and my coffee machine.

CHASE: Ha. You’re so funny. You should have been a comedian.

I agreed.

ME: You don’t have an Instagram?

CHASE: This isn’t like your coffee machine. You only got one this week. You can’t pull that card on me.

ME: That’s a no.

CHASE: I don’t want an Instagram. I have enough on my plate.

ME: Like buying a coffee machine?

CHASE: Yes. That’s my priority. Buy a coffee machine.

ME: And learn how to make milkshakes before my new store puts your ass out of business.

He didn’t reply right away, and I wondered if I’d gone one text too far. I was ready to go back to my browsing when my phone lit up with his next message.

CHASE: I have lots of skills. I’m sure I’d survive.

I frowned at the screen. What the hell did he mean by that?

ME: What does that mean?

CHASE: It means that if your milkshake brings all the boys to your yard, then I’m okay with that.

ME: I don’t have a yard.

CHASE: You don’t have to be so literal.

ME: You have to be marginally accurate if you’re telling me you won’t be my competition anymore.

CHASE: I’m only your competition because I stole your ideas.

Holy shit.

He admitted it.

I never, ever thought I would hear him say those words. I never thought I’d ever hear him say that he’d stolen my ideas. I knew he had, but that didn’t mean it was true. I mean, I’d never technically looked at his menu. All I knew was what Sophie told me.

My heart pounded against my chest. This was the admission I didn’t actually think I wanted.

It hurt more than I thought it would.

To know, for sure, one hundred percent, that he’d taken all my plans without a shadow of a doubt really fucking hurt.

I might have broken his heart, but his betrayal had gone deeper than that.

ME: I don’t think I can talk to you right now.

And it was the damn truth. Just when I thought we might find a civil middle ground, the universe proved me wrong. Just like it had when I thought I’d found someone who I could trust with my dreams.

CHASE: I didn’t—shit.

CHASE: Rae, I’m sorry.

I closed my laptop and tossed my phone. It slid off the bed onto today’s dirty clothes, but I didn’t care. It could stay there. I didn’t care if he had more to say. I didn’t want to hear it right now. Not another damn word.

Instead, I rolled onto my side and stared at my closed curtains.

What the hell did I do with this information?

CHAPTER TWELVE – CHASE

I replaced the empty tub of peach ice cream in the front display counter and pulled off the lid, throwing it in the trash.

Twenty-four hours.

It’d been just over a day since I’d told Rae that I’d stolen her ideas. When she didn’t reply to my apology, I decided to leave it. She wasn’t going to accept it. She was stubborn, and after the moment in her store, I knew I was done for.

Now, there was no way she’d ever forgive me.

I moved my way along the counter, refreshing the strawberry tub before moving to the decorations and sauces. I went through the motions on autopilot until everything was full and fresh and perfect ready for opening.

Which was still an hour away.

I sighed and slumped against the counter. Marnie was back cleaning the storeroom and kitchen, and she’d yell if I went back there to try to help.

I didn’t know what the fuck I was supposed to do now. I thought Rae would accept the admission and move on. I was so fucking stupid where she was concerned.

She could hold a grudge better than anyone I knew.

Which was why I didn’t trust the fact she was standing in front of my glass door, knocking on it.

Slowly, I got up and walked over to it. The key clicked in the lock as I twisted it, and I pulled it open, looking at a very fresh-faced Raelynn Fortune with a high ponytail that swung when she looked up at me and smiled. “Can I come in?”