“It’s nice to finally meet you, Eden.” A slow, sexy smile spreads across his kissable lips. This man is way too good looking.
“I don’t recall hiring a management consultant.” I know I didn't. Something like that sounds expensive. And since this place already seems to be bleeding money from somewhere, it’s definitely not something I can afford right now.
“It’s on the house.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don't take handouts.” Then you become indebted to someone. I’ve seen how this turns out. My father was always getting in over his head with bookies. Nothing is free in this world.
“Okay, how about we trade then? You provide me with free coffee when I come in,” he suggests.
“You don’t even like coffee,” Ryan chimes in, reminding me that he’s standing right here. “How about bear claws?” He doesn't like coffee? He orders one every day.
“That could work.” Miles gives me a charming smile that meets his eyes.
“I’m not sure. It feels weird to just let someone look over my stuff. Are you really a management consultant?” My eyes run down his fancy suit. It’s clear the man has money.
“Yes. I’ve owned a lot of businesses over the years. There are a number of things we could do here.” He glances around the coffee shop. I watch his facial expressions, trying to get a feel for what he thinks of the place. I shouldn’t care, but for some reason his opinion matters.
“Let him help you, Eden. Why the hell not? You’ve already spent so much time going over everything and I know it’s stressing you out. Please,” Ryan pushes, knowing that I have a hard time telling him no. Plus, I know he’s right.
“Okay,” I reluctantly agree. Maybe he will see something that I don’t. What could it really hurt? At this rate I am going to have to shut down in a few months.
“Shall we?” he asks as he comes around the counter.
“Right now?” The coffee shop has slowed down.
“Why not, E? I got this.” Ryan bumps my shoulder with his.
“Yeah, we got this,” Clare adds. She gives me a look that says Don’t mess this up. I want to roll my eyes at her, but Miles might see me.
“All right. Come get me if we get busy.” Miles follows me through the door towards my office. “To be honest I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. We’re busy all the time. It makes me wonder how other coffee shops manage to stay open.”
“I’m sure there is something we can figure out. This is a prime spot.” I nod in agreement as we enter my office. It really is. We always get the morning rush and then get hit again in the afternoon from the local businesspeople who need another shot of caffeine to make it through the day.
“Just so you know, I’ve only graduated high school. My bookkeeping is self-taught.” I run my palms down my jeans. Why am I sweating?
“Sometimes that’s the best way to learn.” Maybe, but I think he’s only saying that to be nice.
I power on the computer, pulling open the accounting system. He takes a seat in my chair and starts clicking away. I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I think I want him to find something wrong. That way I can fix it. But I’m almost scared to know what it is.
His eyebrows pull together a few times as he studies the screen. I glance at the computer, wondering what he sees that I don't.
“I think you’re getting ripped off. These products shouldn't cost this much. The markup on them seems to be very high. Hell, you could get them in the store for cheaper.”
“Really? This has always been the price. My father set up all the accounts with the distributors.”
“The prices are ridiculous. You shouldn't be paying this much. I think it’s time to find new distributors.” Well, shit. I’m not sure where I would even begin to do that. I’ve always used the same guy. I can feel myself getting warm as embarrassment begins to settle in.
“I’m stupid for not having checked and compared prices,” I mumble before dropping down in the other chair. My father is a cheap ass when it comes to spending money. Unless it’s at a poker table. There the money seems to flow freely.
“Don’t call yourself that. You trusted your father. Maybe he doesn't know a ton about this kind of business.”
“Maybe. He owns a handful of businesses. A couple car washes and some small buildings he rents out for office space.”
“Let me help you, Eden.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I don’t get why he wants to help me. What does he get out of it?
“I like you,” he says, catching me off guard. No, I must have heard him wrong. I’m so not in his league. He should be dating supermodels or something. Not the girl who works at the failing coffee shop with only a high school diploma.