I Crave You - C.C. Wood Page 0,15

bets."

I rolled my eyes. "No betting on whether my best friend and your brother will break each other's hearts. Understand?"

Brody laughed again. "Understood. Go home and get something to eat. I'll bring Jacks by the shop later this week for an ice cream tasting."

I climbed into my car as Brody walked away, tooting my horn as I drove by him when he was getting into his truck.

He smiled and waved, both of us oblivious to the people watching us from the diner two doors down.

5

The next morning, I walked into the living room to find Sierra ensconced on my couch, watching television with a cup of coffee in her hand. This was unusual, especially since she'd been up so late the night before. I smirked when I remembered her reaction to meeting Gary, the neighborhood mooch. Also known as a very fat raccoon.

Carefully, I wiped the smile of my face before I spoke. "Uh, why are you watching a cooking show?" I asked.

Sierra's sleepy eyes shifted to me. "Huh?"

Clearly, her coffee hadn't kicked in yet. I rephrased, "Why are you watching a cooking show when you don't cook?"

She took a sip of coffee. "I cook," she answered. "Just because I don't cook well doesn't mean I don't need to know how. When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'll have to eat my own cooking with no backup plan for take-out and I don't want it to suck."

I shook my head and went straight for the kitchen. It was too early for that discussion and I hadn't had coffee yet.

I let loose a happy sigh when I walked into the kitchen and found a cup waiting for me under the Keurig. There was a fresh pod inside and all I had to do was press a button. I was taking my first sip when Sierra wandered in, her hair a mess.

"What are you doing today?" she asked. "And why are you up so early?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied.

She shrugged. "My boss called around six and wanted me to handle some things. It didn't take much time, but once I finished, I was wide awake."

"Was there an emergency at work?" I asked before I drank some more coffee.

"Not really," she scoffed. "It wasn't anything one of the other people in our department couldn't handle. I think he just enjoys ruining people's day."

Sierra glanced down at my cup and shuddered. "Oh my God, when did you start drinking your coffee black? You've been invaded by a parasite, haven't you? The aliens have arrived to assimilate us and they've started with the most intellectually vulnerable."

I rolled my eyes at her obvious change of subject and drank more coffee. "Gee, you're so funny first thing in the morning when I haven't had coffee."

"No, seriously, when did you start drinking your coffee black?"

"When I got too lazy to add sugar."

Sierra shook her head. "I'd call you a liar, but I've known for too long."

I smirked at her but didn't say anything.

"What are you doing today?" she repeated. "You woke up when I took out the trash at four and it's six-thirty now. The shop's closed, so what's up?"

"I have to handle the books, pay bills, and make ice cream."

"On your day off?"

I gave her a sideways glance. "Uh, yeah. That's the only time I can get things done. And you're one to talk, Ms. I-Got-Up-Early-to-Work-on-Vacation."

She ignored my comment and studied me for a long moment. "When was the last time you had a day off? I mean completely off."

"I have no idea. Probably not since I opened the store. Except for maybe Christmas and Thanksgiving. I do take two days off then."

Sierra was silent. "Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped out more."

"You have a full-time job and I didn't expect you to work at Crave when you offered to invest."

"Well, I decided to take a vacation since it's been two years. I just finished a project and I won't start another one for six weeks, so it's the perfect time to take a few weeks to myself. While I'm here, I'm going to give you a hand. And we're going to look at the books to see if we can hire another full-time employee."

"Okay."

She frowned at my quick agreement. "Okay?"

I nodded, sipping my coffee.

"So, you're just gonna agree? No argument at all?"

I grinned at her. "Nope."

"You were planning on asking me anyway, weren't you?"

"Yep."

"Guess I fell into your plans then, didn't I?"

I nodded.

"Then I'd better shower so I can help you