Page 61 of Tangled with the Tight End

“You’re welcome. Where are you headed?”

“To the little bookstore in town.” She frowns. “Read Between the Wines, I think it is. I saw it on my way in, and what two better things than wine and books to pair together?”

I sigh as memories of Gabriel and I’s trip to the bookstore replay in my head. Even that day, I knew there was something between us. But at the time, I’d been afraid nothing could come from it, or if it did, it would end in an epic disaster. “Enjoy.” I step back so she has room to shut her door. “If you’re hungry when you get done, stop by Lips & Hips. I’ll be back to the shop after I make my delivery. Your meal would be on me.”

“Thank you. You’re a doll.” She beams as she shuts the door.

Once she’s safely on her way, I gather my supplies and step through the sliding glass doors.

“Hey, Norah,” Tucker calls out from behind the front desk and waves.

“Hey, yourself.” I stop for a second with the rolling cart poised in front of me. “How’s today’s business?”

“A lot of the Thanksgiving holiday travelers have checked out, but we’re already seeing people piling in for the Christmas festival. It’s going to be a busy season this year.”

“Yes, it is.”

After telling him goodbye, I travel to the shop where Clarissa is busy removing the old, unsold content and boxing the items up. We take the leftover goods to the food pantry in town. All the food shops do. The items may not be fresh, but they’re welcomed, nonetheless.

When she sees me, she frowns and crosses her arms. “I thought you weren’t dating the big, hot football player brother of your best friend’s husband.”

I park the cart inside the shop and kick the brake down. “I wasn’t at the time.” I shrug. “And now, I am.”

“Lucky dog.” She glares and then smiles. “You two looked good together that first day. Even when you were snipping at each other. It’s good to see you happy.”

“Thank you. Tucker said business is getting ready to pick up. Do you think we need to increase any of the stock?”

“I’m seeing large numbers of the pre-made sandwiches going quickly.”

For several minutes, we discuss the upcoming season, which items to increase in inventory, and what to pull back on. Clarissa has been with me since I took over the bistro and was the first person I thought of when expanding to the lodge. She knows what she’s doing.

I gnaw on my bottom lip. I shouldn’t have given her a hard time the other day. She didn’t deserve it. She’s been an excellent employee and a good friend. If I’m going to visit Gabriel and Gino, she should be able to handle everything.

It’s not like I do anything outside of delivering the supplies and controlling the schedule and hiring. Someone else couldmake the food deliveries and Clarissa can handle those tasks. She’s the one working with them anyway.

“Clarissa?” The central heat kicks on, swirling the already delicious scent of baked goods around the room and causing my mouth to water.

“Yes?” She glances up from the binder on the counter in front of her.

“Would you be okay if I put you in charge of scheduling for the lodge? And conducting interviews with new hires?”

“Of course,” She shrugs. “I can handle it. If you need me to do anything else, let me know.”

“Thanks. When Gabriel returns to Kansas City, I’ll be going there to see him, so I’ll need you to take a bigger role here. I won’t be gone all the time, and I won’t leave you without guidance.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got it handled.” She raises her hands palms facing outwards as she reassures me. “Do you need more help at the bistro?”

“No, I’ve got plans in the works for there. I appreciate it. And of course, I’ll compensate you accordingly.”

We discuss pay for a few minutes and settle on an increase that satisfies us both. “You do a fantastic job. I’m sorry I was snippy the other day.”

She grins and waggles her eyebrows as she reopens the sliding glass door to the pastry display. “No worries. You were distracted by a handsome man who knocked you off kilter.”

I laugh and unlock the cart, standing behind it as I maneuver behind the counter. “After I knocked him off his feet.”

thirty-two

GABRIEL

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