says your favorite part is the business side. That’s usually the side restauranteurs hate. They like the creativity in the kitchen. Are you allowed to fiddle?”
“Fiddle?” I ask for clarification.
“Test things. Try new products. Do your parents allow you to mix things up?”
Truth is, I’ve never really tried. I just stand by what they started because it’s easier. I can imagine my dad coming in and asking why I changed something that’s working though. Changing things would rock the boat.
“Yeah, they allow me to,” I lie.
“That’s great.” He shifts in his seat. “I could see a business like a bagel shop growing boring after a while if you can’t try new flavors and products.”
Someone lifts the curtain to his right, poking her head in and softly speaking in his ear.
His foot falls to the floor. “That’s all the time I’ve got, I’m afraid. But I’m having dinner at the Floyds’ tomorrow night. Maybe I’ll see you there.” I nod and stand as he does. He extends his hand. “It was great meeting you, Miss Erickson.”
“Evan please,” I say.
“Evan.” His full mouth of straight white teeth gleam. “I have a good feeling about this opportunity for you.” He winks.
It’s not lost on me that he’s pretty much telling me that because I’m dating Brock, he’ll make sure I’m in.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Klein.”
He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Nick. Please.”
“Thank you… Nick.”
“Have a great rest of the day,” he says and walks away, leaving me standing there feeling a little speechless.
The blonde who brought me to him pokes her head in, startling me. “Ready?”
I nod and follow her back to the big room full of people I was in before. She rattles directions at me and says if I make the cut, I’ll receive a phone call.
When I walk out of the building, the sun is high, but there’s a chill in the air signaling the impending winter.
“Babe!” I turn to my left to see Brock standing next to his fancy fast car.
I walk toward Brock and he opens up his arms for a hug. He’s usually not an outwardly affectionate guy. Never holds my hand. I hug him and he squeezes me so tightly, my breath catches as he swings me around.
“How did it go?” He places me back down and his finger tucks a section of hair behind my ear. My eyes follow the path of his finger because all of this is odd behavior for him.
“I think you probably know how it went.” I raise an eyebrow.
A mischievous smile crosses his lips and he belts out a laugh so loud, it ricochets off every building on the block. “See, good things happen when you date a Floyd. Let’s head back to my place and you can thank me.” He winks.
I’m not sure if it’s the fact that he arranged for me to do well here today or what Seth has told me, but I’m suddenly seeing Brock in a different light. Then again, can I really trust a guy whose family hates me and puts me down every time I see him?
“I have to get back to the shop,” I murmur.
He puts his hand on my hip and pulls me toward him as if he can’t go a minute without touching me. “I thought Elsie was watching it for you today?”
“Just while I’m here. You could stay and keep me company?”
“You know I’d love to, but my dad’s got about a million things he wants me to do.”
I nod. “Okay. Call me later.”
He chuckles and places a kiss on the tip of my nose.
What the hell is up with him?
“Babe, I’ll drive you to work,” he says as if that’s what he always does.
“Okay… thanks.”
I shift my weight to step back, but he grabs my hips, thrusting me into him. He kisses me as though he’s going off to war and he’ll never have my lips on his again. But it’s not lingering and romantic. It’s claiming and hard, and I don’t feel one ounce of arousal deep in my belly. He closes the kiss and pushes my hips back.
As my eyes snap open, he takes my hand and leads me to the passenger side of the car. He opens it, and his gaze lands to our right with a cocky smirk.
“Andrews,” Brock says with a nod.
Seth is leaning against the brick wall, scowl in place.
How long has he been there? But Brock’s arrogance as he bends to kiss me one