Page 4 of That's a Wrap

Even as he steps backward toward the door, Peter keeps his eyes trained on me with an unreadable yet determined look on his face. “I’m sure we could find somethingfunto do.”

I’m expecting another comment from him, so I’m able to steel my expression a little better. But it still makes my heart flutter and my stomach swoop at just hearing his rich, baritone voice that’s as smooth as fine whiskey.

“No, thank you,sir.” I decline his subtle invitation in such a robotic way that I can’t even blame him when he snickers. “Have a wonderful rest of your day, and see you never. Goodbye.”

Peter opens the door and gives me one last charismatic smile that I try like hell not to memorize. “Bye-bye for now, but I’ll see you tomorrow… Elle.”

“Never means never!” I yell after him, but he’s already out the door and heading down the street. I watch him until he’s out of view; then I glare at the mess I made from preparing his wrap, because I still feel like I need to be mad at something. “What ajerk,” I mutter to myself, forcefully cleaning up my workspace for the next customer.

I’m still grumbling and scrubbing the counter a bit too harshly when another regular comes in, a kind middle-aged woman with her baby in a stroller.

“Hey, Lynn. Great to see you,” I greet her before lowering my gaze. “And hello to you too, Miss Hadley! How’s my favorite one-year-old doing today?”

The precious baby girl giggles, and Lynn tells me all about their morning while I get started on her usual sandwich, a turkey and avocado BLT. She’s been coming to the cafe for years, along with many of the other regulars, so I always enjoy catching up with her and sweet little Hadley. The two of them stay for a while longer after Lynn finishes eating, but eventually they have to leave.

As I wave them goodbye, another customer comes in, and the rest of the day is uneventful but busy. Thankfully, my mind is kept occupied by orders and payments and customer-service smiles. It isn’t until the sky is dark and the moon is bright that I flip theopensign toclosedand I finally get a minute to myself.

As I sweep the floors, my thoughts wander back to my most peculiar customer today. Hot, sexy, infuriating Peter. The jerk with a face that was sculpted by the gods and a body that Adonis would be jealous of.

“See you tomorrow, Elle,” I say out loud in a mocking tone that, if I’m being honest, sounds nothing like Peter’s deep, thigh-trembling voice. “Whatever. Being attractive doesn’t give you a free pass to be rude.” I start silently cursing him for being an asshole.

Dear Lord, please let Peter step in a puddle while he’s wearing socks. Please let his smoke detector go off at two a.m. because it needs new batteries. Please let him run out of toilet paper the next time he’s in the bathroom. Please?—

I stop sweeping and turn to look at the door, as if Peter will somehow walk through it, despite it being locked. Then something occurs to me. I never actually told him…

How the hell did he know my name?

3

PETER

“Once again, Mr. Jacobs, thank you so much for all of your help,” my new employee, Jeremy, praises as we wrap up our morning meeting.

“Oh, I haven’t really done anything yet. Besides, it’s my job now, and I don’t plan on half-assing it,” I reply with a grin. “By this time next year,Magnolia Point Resort and Clubis going to double its members.”

Jeremy smiles brightly and tears shine in his eyes. For such a big guy, standing a few inches taller with an easy fifty pounds on me, he seems like a huge teddy bear.

“Also,” I add, pushing up from the conference table, “Just call mePeter. No need for any of themisternonsense. It makes me feel old.”

A conflicted look flickers across Jeremy’s face, which I suppose is fair enough. The kid appears as though he’s just graduated college, and I’m sure, compared to him, Iamold—despite only being thirty-three.

“But you’re myboss. I can’t just call you by your first name,” he argues in a hushed tone, as if he’s afraid someone will overhear.

I scoff. “That’s an antiquated way of working. Businesses get the best results when everyone is on an even playing field.” His stress level seems to intensify and I sigh. “Think about it this way,” I try again. “You need to listen to your boss, right? Well, I’m your boss now and I’mtellingyou to just call me Peter, or Pete, or P-man. Wait, no, not that last one.” I laugh. “That one sounds gross. But you get the point, right?”

“Right, okay, P-peter,” he agrees, pushing past his southern manners, which I’m sure his mother is proud of.

I reward him by clapping a hand on his shoulder, a feat I can only do because the guy’s still sitting. “That’s the spirit.” I glance at the clock on the wall. “Alright, Jerms, I have another meeting I need to get to. We’ll catch up later to discuss how we can start implementing phase one of our game plan, yeah?”

“Sounds good, sir.” I lift one eyebrow at him, and he quickly corrects himself, “Peter.”

I’m almost out the door when I turn back to him. “Hey, I forgot to ask. Have you been to the Riverside Cafe?”

Jeremy looks at me like he can’t believe I just asked that question. “Of course, I’ve been there. It’s like a landmark in this town. That place has been around for decades.”

“Really?” That’s new information to me. “What do you know about the girl who works there? With the black hair and freckles?”

“Who? Elle?” His face lights up with a bright smile. “She’s the best! Probably the coolest girl in Magnolia Point. Everyone loves her.”

---