Page 39 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

Sterling stares at me with something akin to wonder in his expression.

“Emilia, I’m sure there are other options. You can’t just sell your café. It means a lot to you,” he argues, his voice full of concern.

I look up at him with a soft smile. “Are you seriously trying to change my mind right now? Isn’t this what you want? Besides, the café might mean a lot, but Paige means so much more. She’s like my little sister. I have to help her.”

He grows quiet once again. “Honestly, I think you’re being a little impulsive. Shouldn’t you talk to someone? Like your family? I’m sure they’d be interested in helping you make such a big decision. Maybe call your dad or your sister?”

I hadn’t even thought to call anyone back home despite the storm brewing in my heart. Especially Anika. She and Paige are a little close.

“I’m just—I’m not used to having a family I can depend on like that,” I admit. “But you’re right. I need to call Anika and I’m sure Dad and Priya would want to know what’s going on. But I’m not changing my mind about the café. I’m selling it. You can draft the contract or whatever.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw. “I’ll give you a couple of days to think about it, yeah?”

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll be spending a lot of time here at the hospital anyway. How about you tell me where to meet you in a week and I’ll sign the papers?” I suggest.

He doesn’t reply.

“I’m going to sell the café,” I reassure him. “You don’t know me very well, but when I make a decision it’s pretty hard to change my mind.”

“Yet,” he corrects quietly.

“What?”

“I don’t know you very well yet. But I think you’re a pretty amazing person, Emilia Cameron.”

Our eyes lock and the intensity in his gaze takes my breath away. Sterling’s eyes are really the sort of eyes you get lost in. I don’t just get lost, though; I sink so far down it takes me a couple moments to find myself. I force myself to look away.

Seriously, it’s one of the top ten hardest things I’ve ever had to do. And I’ve had to climb over a tall fence in a mini skirt without flashing everyone on the other side.

I cough to break the tension. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Sterling Harrington.”

“Just Sterling,” he counters. “You can call me Sterling now.”

“Nah, I actually prefer Tin Man. It fits you better. Plus, I like giving my friends nicknames.”

He chuckles. “So we’re friends now?”

“Maybe,” I say on a shrug. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Go home. I’m sure Sean’s waiting for you.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he agrees. “Call your family, though.”

“I will,” I assure him with a small wave.

I stay put as he goes to stand in front of Colleen, bending slightly to say something to her. I’m not sure what it is, but she looks up at him with a grateful expression and he offers her a kind smile in return.

“See you later, Cameron,” he says as he passes by me.

“Bye, Sterling.”

CHAPTER 12

Sterling

Like she requested, I give it a week before I try to get in contact with Emilia again. Seeing as I don’t have her number, I decide to call her brother—not just to ask for her number, but to feel out how she’s been and the situation right now.

Carson picks up on the third ring. It’s late evening on a Monday and he could either be at home or still at work.

“Yo, Harrington,” he greets. “How are you, man?”

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