Page 103 of The Guy Who Fake Dated Me

I imagined him leaning back in the chair behind my desk with his feet on the wood surface by my computer.

“How would you feel about watching the Moose for me again?”

He spoke slowly. “That depends.”

“It would be for three days, but there are no big events happening, just small family gatherings.”

“The families around here can be more dramatic than anyone else,” Vincent pointed out.

“True, but I trust these people not to cause trouble.”

Vincent sighed. “What are the dates?”

I told him.

“I’ll be in town and can watch the place, but only if you tell me what this is about.”

Giddy joy galloped through me as I said the words, “Victoria and I might be meeting in Juneau.”

“Oh yeah?” I could hear the curiosity in his tone.

“Yes. I’m not telling you anything else.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Correct. Will you do it?” I mentally crossed my fingers.

A pause ensued. I stopped at the door to the bathrooms, which I needed to use. “Vincent?”

“It’ll cost you, Boss.”

“Cost me what?” Vincent hadn’t ever been the type to demand favors.

“You let me debut two new menu items in the diner a month for the next three months.”

I thought that over. It would mean I’d have to modify inventory counts, as well as come up with a way to advertise. Also, we’d need a method for figuring out if the items would remain on the menu permanently after each month was up. All of these things had been covered at the trade show in Vegas, and I had solid ideas for them.

“Fine,” I said, “but we’re going to have to do some planning.”

“I can handle that,” Vincent said.

Relief swam through me, and I let out a big sigh. I’d get to see Victoria again in eleven days. Nothing could have stopped the huge smile on my face. “Great. Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.”

“No way, Boss, I’m sleeping in. The place is all yours in the morning.”

I chuckled. “Fair enough.”

Next, I called Shane.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane?” Shane asked in greeting.

“I missed it.”

“What?”

The panic in his voice made me laugh. “I’m joking. My next flight leaves in an hour.”

“Sky will chew me out if you don’t show up soon. We’ve been telling him that you’re almost home since this morning.”

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