Perfect Match Enemies to lovers romance - Leia Stone Page 0,46

dollar. Just get it earning a profit and we can figure everything else out later. If you own half the bar, then Ashton can’t convince me to sell it.”

Joy bubbled up inside of me and I stomped through the feeding chickens and wrapped my arms around his Gran, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you!”

She laughed and when I pulled back, she gave me a knowing smile. “You’re good for him, Millie. Don’t break his heart, I’m not sure he could take it.”

Her ominous warning sent a stone into my stomach, but I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to start on breakfast.”

She nodded. “My kitchen is your kitchen.”

I walked across the backyard, the sun rising over the beautiful garden, and asked myself a very serious question.

When was I going to tell Ashton that he carried Colin’s heart? The most logical answer came to me.

Never.

I would keep it a secret forever and he’d never have to know. Instead I would focus on other things like saving Wayne’s Place and turning it into best damn brunch/bar Nashville had ever seen. Brunch by day, bar by night. Hah! That was our new slogan.

Bring it on, I was in project mode.

As I settled into making breakfast for everyone, I beat the eggs with a ferocious tenacity. Ashton thought he could sell the bar behind my back and not tell me! Boy, was he in for a shock. As if on cue, he walked into the kitchen and I looked up, masking my anger. I was going to play it cool, not reveal my cards like he hadn’t revealed his.

“Hey … I missed you this morning,” he said, lowering his voice. His cousins, Gran, and aunt were in the dining room.

I turned back and gave him a sweet smile. “Got up early and fed the chickens with your Gran.”

He looked surprised and then a little scared. “Oh … that’s nice.”

Was he afraid she told me about him agreeing to selling the bar last night?

He should be.

“Millie…” Ashton looked down at my hands.

I was beating so feverishly that the eggs had run over onto my borrowed apron. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”

His brow furrowed. “Okay … you know last night was … amazing, right?”

I nodded. “Amazing.”

It was amazing for a two-faced liar. Not that I had too much room to talk but still … these were apples and oranges.

He swallowed hard. “Kay … see you at breakfast.” Then he turned tail and moved to go into the next room.

“Oh, Ashton?” I called out, and he turned.

“Hmm?”

“We have five hundred RSVPs for Saturday night. Isn’t that exciting?” I smiled and his face took on a look of complete and utter guilt.

“Yeah … that’s … full capacity.” You could almost see him start to sweat.

Would he tell me? Now would be a good time.

Tipping his head to me, he left the room without a word.

I couldn’t wait for him to find out his Gran sold me her half of the bar.

Ashton

She knew. Millie fucking knew I was going to sell the bar. I could tell by the cagey way she was acting. How she felt the need to mention she’d fed the chickens with my Gran. I wondered what they talked about. And then to tell me five hundred people were coming on Saturday. I didn’t think that bar had seen more than a hundred people in one night in over ten years.

Of course her breakfast was delicious. Quiche, waffles, bacon, all of the fixins. Gran looked ready to ask her to move in and become her personal chef.

Gran stood and called her back to her office. “Millie, follow me, dear.”

Anxiety spiked in me.

“Ashton, dishes.” My grandma waved her hand at me as Millie gave me a calculating look and walked down the hall.

“What are y’all doing back there?” My voice reached a high pitch I wasn’t proud of.

Gran winked. “Just girl stuff.”

Was Gran going to innocently show her some baby pictures or were they up to something? I scrubbed the dishes in scalding hot water and kept my eyes peeled on the hallway. What was taking them so long? Was Gran telling her about Jenna? I wanted to do that in my own time.

Laughter pealed down the hallway and my frown deepened. What were they up to? This was going to drive me insane. Gran couldn’t be trusted, and she’d only agreed to sell the bar last night because I’d begged.

My phone rang and I shut off the tap.

It was the mechanic. “This is Ashton,” I answered, my gaze