front of her. Zero to insanity in one second? This was very suspicious. People always wanted something free rather than to unleash a temper tantrum right off the bat. “All right, please leave. I won’t tolerate you abusing my employees.”
She ignored me. “This is America. I have rights! That barista served me a latte with hair in it. And it isn’t the first time she’s messed something up, either. The quality started going downhill in this shop since you hired her and I’m afraid I had to one-star you online.” She glared in my general direction with arms crossed, foot tapping, while pointedly avoiding my eyes. What a load of crap. I’d heard nothing but good things since Holly started.
“I, uh—if I messed something up, me or any of the other baristas would have been more than happy to fix your order.” Holly answered the woman in a shaky voice. She leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Violet, I don’t even remember ever serving her.”
“We aim to please here,” I added, “Would you like your money back? Or another drink?”
“No, nuh-uh.” She stepped up to the counter, shoving the next customer in line to the side to point in Holly’s face. “I’ve been coming here since this place opened. I’m going to tell everyone I know about how rude you always are to me.”
I shoved her arm away from Holly. “Hey now, that is not necessary. Back off and get out of here.”
She burst into tears, turning to face the customer area of the shop. “You shoved my arm! Ow! Oh my god! Is this how you treat your loyal customers? I can’t believe this.” She stormed off in a huff. Holly and I exchanged shocked glances.
“Yo, Holly. Are you okay?” We spun toward the door to watch Liam walk through, followed by my little brother Cade.
A stricken Holly removed her apron and handed it to me. “I have to go, Violet. I’m so sorry.”
“I know, honey. Don’t you worry about a thing.” She ran past the guys. “I can’t leave the shop now. Cade? Can you go after her?” But I didn’t have to ask, he was already out the door followed by a concerned Liam.
“That was . . . something.” I puffed out a frustrated breath of air.
“That was weird, Violet. I’ve never seen her before. And don’t you believe one word she said about your sister. Holly is wonderful.”
One of my baristas chimed in. “Just look at this.” She turned her phone screen toward me. It appeared like a lot of people had become dissatisfied with my shop lately. My Google rating had tanked down to a one-star, as well as my Yelp and Facebook page.
“Great. Damn it. I knew something was up with her.”
“Someone is trying to make you look bad,” Ren observed from over my shoulder. I startled and turned to look up at him. I hadn’t even heard him approach.
I raised a sardonic eyebrow. “Gee, I wonder who it could be?”
“Your no-good ex,” a customer shouted from the back of the shop, inciting yet another wave of loud whispering to move around the dining area.
“Something happened between Tom wanting to divorce you and move on with Bethany and now,” Ren said low in my ear. “Whatever he wants with the shop is another issue entirely, and you’ll need more than just my help to figure out what it is. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Ren.”
He resembled a hot, evil villain as he grinned down at me. “This is gonna be my pleasure.”
I was glad he used whatever his powers were for good.
20
Jake
“Without coffee, something is missing.”
“I’m going to miss you, gorgeous,” I stated on the phone, because this was the only way I would be speaking to Violet for the foreseeable future.
Ren was a bastard for suggesting to her that we stay apart. But nailing Tom’s ass to the wall and keeping Violet and the boys protected was vital, so I promised to stay away no matter how much it would hurt.
“I know you’re upset,” Ren said once I got off the phone.
“How much longer?”
“You know I can’t tell you anything we discuss. She’s my client. I’m not the bad guy here.”
“I know you’re not. And I know you’re probably right, it’s just—”
“You love her. I get it.”
“Fuck yes, I do. It’s been years, Ren. To step away now? It feels impossible. I should be with her.”
“Just keep your relationship with her quiet and let me do my job. I deal with