Page 35 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

What is he thinking? Does he want me to keep squirming? He seems like the sort who enjoys making others suffer.

With Jake and Nicolas already doing plenty of that as is, I don’t know if I need a third guy causing trouble.

“I’ll be alright,” I assure her as I force myself to perk up, “especially with the next rush coming up. Don’t worry about me.”

There’s only so much I’d put her through when it comes to this topic. Even if she wants to hear the drama, I don’t want to sound like a broken record here. Plus, it’s not like she can help solve my problem. Not with the way she thinks.

Just when I think I’ll be able to move past this hump, I spot Lucy approaching. Straightening up, I abandon Charity.

Lucy’s the one who sits behind the mahogany desk on the top floor. Always answering calls from down below, I’m not surprised by the device in her hands. If I have to guess, she’s still busy at work even when she isn’t sitting down.

I met her only once. Jake wanted a cupcake delivered and I happened to talk to her for all but a minute.

Excusing Claire from taking this order, I hold my breath.

“Mr. Landersan wants a half-dozen strawberry cupcakes brought up to his office after you close the shop. The poor guy has to stay late tonight. Extra vanilla frosting. Buttercream. Chocolate shavings. Oh, and I bet you have cherries. He’s got a thing for them. Don’t tell him I told you.” Hardly glancing away from her phone, she slides a sleek black card across the counter. “Wants them fresh too. Trust me, he’ll know if you try to give him old ones. He will complain and make you wish you’d done it right the first time.”

Scrambling to find something to write down her demands, I scribble everything down. Taking in her threat, I pause.

Rhett has made his feelings toward me very obvious. I don’t want to imagine how he’d react if I didn’t do everything he said. Boy, he has quite the list here. This feels like a test. Is this why he’s kept himself away all this time? He plans on making me come to him.

So much for the guy not having a thing for sweets. This lengthy list of modifications says otherwise. Freaking sugar paradise here.

“Of course.” Ringing up the order, I charge the card. One glance and I see his name carved into the expensive-looking metal.

Handing the card back, Lucy treats herself to a double chocolate chip cookie before strolling off to answer a call.

Okay. If this is a test, then I plan on knocking his socks off. While he’s distracted with my goods, I can ask him why he’s been watching me from afar for so long. I’ve waited long enough to start demanding answers.

With the business keeping up through the day, for the most part, I’m distracted.

Jake makes a quick visit during his lunch. Making an offer to slip away for even ten minutes, I know better than to agree. If I find myself in the situation of being alone with him, ten minutes will hardly be enough to itch the scratch he creates.

As if it can aid his disappointment when I turn him down, I send him off with a few chocolate chip cookies. He can never turn down a sweet.

Nicolas makes sure to stop by as well. He’s smart, choosing to wait until business is slower. By his thinking, if my hands are empty, I have the time to chat. He’s bought a coffee from next door, too. Perfect timing to pull me aside.

Doesn’t he notice the way the other two women watch our interactions?

Charity is going to try to put more ideas in my head. Poor Claire is going to think I’m playing these men.

My heart can’t take this pull and tug. It’s shameful how much I’m loving all of this attention I’m getting.

I shouldreallyput a stop to this. Not wanting to hurt anyone, that’s the smart thing to do.

“Be honest with me.” Cradling the coffee cup, I hesitate. “If you two are aware of what I’ve done with the other, why are you okay with it?”

Nicolas ponders my question but hardly takes a minute to think. “It’sJake. Hard to feel jealous when I know he is harmless. He’s a close friend, I could never hate him. And, if you like what he does to you, who am I to stop it?”

My brows furrow. “Even though you want me?”

He smiles and leans close enough to make my heart jump. “Even though I want you.” Like he doesn’t realize what effect he has on me, his eyes lower. “Jake and Rhett are it though. Mention another man’s name and I’m not sure I can say the same thing.”

Cheeks growing hot, I stumble back and almost drop my coffee at the pure jealousy coating his words at mentioning someone else.

Who said anything about Rhett?

“I’m a bit preoccupied with you guys to find someone else,” I choke out before guzzling down my coffee. Suddenly, having a conversation has become more difficult.

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