she wanted to act on those feelings. I didn’t expect that. That sex we had…it was out of this world amazing…the best I ever had…but the last time wasn’t making love for me. It was goodbye.
But not goodbye forever. Just goodbye to this fake arrangement. I still want to be a part of Norah’s life. I still want to come into her bakery and flirt with her until she gets those flushed cheeks. I want to go to her grand opening and cheer on her success. The woman is a machine; she is unstoppable. I want a front row seat for that show.
But I can’t let her care about me as more than a friend. I can’t ruin her the way my dad ruined my mom. Norah has way too many dreams to accomplish without me dragging her down and fucking up her priorities.
So at today’s meeting, I’m going to remind her that I’m here as a friend and a supporter. I’m invested in not only her business but also her future. She’s the best investment I’ve ever made.
As I enter the bakery, the familiar bell dings above my head. I see Max at a corner booth by the window. He waves me over, and I grip my laptop bag and move toward him while glancing at the counter to search for Norah. Rachael is standing with a fresh tray of croinuts she’s currently ignoring to shoot me a dirty look.
“Hey, Max,” I croak, clearing my throat and trying to drown the tension in my chest.
“Hi, Dean,” Max says and shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I slide into the booth across from him.
He nods crisply. “It should be. Let’s wait for Norah.” He looks past me, and his face spreads into a smile. “There she is.”
I sense her before I see her, and when I turn around, it’s like a sucker punch right to the guts. She’s dressed in a jean jacket with a yellow tank top underneath and leggings. Her hair is styled and not concealed under one of her classic rock bandanas. She looks…great. Completely unaffected by what happened between us and ready for this meeting. Maybe we can move past this after all.
“Hi guys,” she says politely as she drags a seat over from the nearby empty table. She lowers herself onto it and clasps her hands on the table, barely ghosting her eyes at me. “Thanks for making this last-minute meeting work, Dean.”
My name on her lips sends a memory of the two of us naked in bed together, and I straighten my glasses and force the memory away. “Anytime. What’s going on? Everything okay with the grand opening? Is there a construction issue?”
“No construction issues. The grand opening is right on schedule. It should be a good turnout there,” she says to the table.
“That’s good,” I reply, willing her to look up and show me those eyes so I can stop remembering them with tears. “So, what’s the meeting today for exactly?”
Norah looks over at Max and gives him a wobbly smile. “Max, you know the technical stuff we discussed, so I’ll let you take it from here.”
“Technical stuff?” I frown as Max pulls out a large manila envelope and opens it in front of me.
“Yes, well…it’s not that technical, Dean. Basically, Norah would like to buy out your investment in Rise and Shine-Denver.”
“What?” I snap, my head jerking back like I’ve just been punched. “What are you talking about?”
Max shoots me a painfully polite smile. “Norah and I met yesterday, and we went through some of her options, and she feels it’s important for her to be the sole owner of her second location.”
“She doesn’t have the capital for that,” I bark, irritation spiking in my belly at this preposterous idea.
“I’m selling my apartment,” she states firmly, and I glance over to see her staring at me with emotionless eyes. “It’s not quite worth your full investment, but my accountant thinks I can swing a loan for the rest.”
“Your accountant?” I growl, losing all manner of professionalism. “Let me guess…Douche Convertible?”
She blinks rapidly. “Nate, you mean? Yes, we had a meeting yesterday, and he thinks this is something I’m able to do.”
I scoff at the idea that she met with that asshole after what happened at dinner last week. How the hell has she not fired him for the shit he said? I lick my lips and pin her with a look. “So, you’re not going to have a Boulder