Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,43

Giovanni laughs. “Anything for the beautiful lady.” He winks at me again.

I swear I see Bolt’s jaw tighten. He shifts in his chair. “That guy is over-familiar,” he says when Giovanni is out of hearing.

“He’s just being nice.”

Bolt mutters something I can’t make out. “Have your parents replaced you at the bakery yet?” he asks.

His question is such a one-eighty that it takes me a few seconds to comprehend what he’s asking and to answer. His forearms might also still be a distraction. “Um…no…they won’t be replacing me.”

He frowns. “Why not?”

“The bakery isn’t doing as well as it used to…” Before I know it, I launch into the whole story about the franchise opening up. About losing loads of our regulars and a whole bunch of our corporate clients. I hadn’t planned on telling him all of this. I don’t want him to think I took this job because I didn’t have a choice, although it’s precisely why I took the job. It’s better that he doesn’t know that, though. I’m sure he must have figured it out, so it’s too late now, I may as well tell him all of it.

“I’m sorry to hear it. What’s the plan?”

“Plan?” What do I say? That I plan to only work for him until I have enough money saved. That I don’t plan on making this a career choice or being in it for the long-haul. That I’m ultimately only here because I didn’t have any other option.

“There has to be a plan, Miss Shaw, or your family business is doomed. You realize that, don’t you?” He leans forward and places his elbows on the table, folding his arms. His really great arms. His eyes are on me…waiting.

“I left. My folks don’t have to pay two pastry chefs. That’s a big saving for them.”

“Good move for the short-term. What are your plans long-term?”

I can’t believe he’s taking an interest. “Um…well…” I lick my lips. “My folks will invest the money they save on my wages and put it back into the business.”

“It won’t be enough.” He shakes his head.

“I plan on helping them, as well. It’s part of the reason I took this position.” It’s too late now to hold back, so I go on. “I’m going to help them. The extra money you offered will come in handy.”

He nods his head. “Invest how?”

I tell him the plans I have to invest in equipment so that we’ll be more competitive. I tell him more about the industrial equipment I have in mind.

“That’s certainly a very good start.”

“Start?” I push out. What does he mean by that?

“Well, Miss Shaw, it’s a good start, but I doubt it’s enough to—”

Giovanni returns with a plate in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. He sets the plate in front of us. “Something to nibble on while you wait. They are called arancini di riso, or rice balls. They are filled with ragu and mozzarella and coated in breadcrumbs. For you to enjoy.” He looks at me as he says the last.

Before I can stop him, Giovanni refills my glass of wine. “No…no…I—” Too late. “Thank you.”

“On the house, and no problem at all. You tell me if you need anything. Anything at all.” He smiles at me before disappearing into the kitchen.

I look up, expecting to see a scowling Bolt, but his eyes are twinkling. “So, instead of nuts, it looks like you have balls.” He chuckles.

“That’s not funny.” I’m smiling but trying not to.

“It really is.”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, maybe a little.”

“Ball?” He holds out the plate to me. There are six perfectly golden balls on the plate. They’re much smaller than…than…well…actual balls. I bite back a laugh.

“I think I’ll take two,” I say, looking him in the eyes. I notice how he turns serious. That look of his is back. The one I can’t quite fathom. I really have had too much to drink. I absolutely cannot have any more wine, which makes me feel bad, since Giovanni gave me a refill. I use both hands, taking an arancini ball in between my thumb and forefinger of each hand. They’re warm. I pop one in my mouth. I’m not sure how they taste because I can’t think straight with Bolt watching me eat. He’s looking with such focus and intensity. I swallow. “Aren’t you going to have one?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “I just ate dinner, and I have more food on the way. With all that