Page 26 of Lime Tree Hill

His hand around the coffee cup, Mitch leaned back and smiled. He enjoyed making conversation with interesting people, Tayla included. She held his gaze, listening intently. And when she spoke, she wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion, those dainty hands animated as she made her point. “For someone who pretends not to notice, you’re very observant.”

She shrugged. Lifted her coffee cup and took a sip. “What’s the real reason you and Chris Stone don’t get on?”

Mitch frowned at her candid question. He rubbed his index finger across his stubbled jaw, suppressing a smile as he recalled the summer he’d spent with the now Ella Stone. “What, apart from him wanting to get his greedy hands on my operation? Let’s just say we once had a personal conflict of interest.”

She waited for him to elaborate, but he wasn’t about to tell Tayla that Chris’s wife had been his first.

“So, what do you think?” Mitch asked. “Should we take the bull by the horns and go for it?”

Tayla picked up the other muffin, breaking a piece off the top with her delicate fingers. “Can I trust you to be discreet?”

“In what way?”

“My parents think the world of you, but they’re also very conservative. It would break their hearts if they thought you were cheating on me.” She hesitated. Popped the piece of muffin into her mouth and chewed. “Unfortunately, you have a reputation around town as a bit of a man-whore.”

Mitch chuckled. “That’s just a filthy rumor. Someone’s trying to ruin my stellar reputation.”

“From what I’ve heard, you’ve ruined it all by yourself.”

“Lies, all lies. And, it works both ways, sweetheart.”

“Please don’t call me sweetheart. You make me feel like a secretary fromMad Men.”

“Well, as our relationship is purely business, the insincere use of the term of endearment suits you.” He realized by the look on her face that she didn’t appreciate his sense of humor. “I thought you were keen.”

“That was before you nearly squashed me by slipping a tackle into a game of touch.”

“I’ve already apologized for that. I promise to be good from now on if you promise to tone down the snob fest.”

She picked up his cup along with her own and rinsed them in the sink. Was this where she’d lose her cool, tell him exactly where he could stick his bull horns?

“Come on, Tayla. Let’s move on. We can’t let your parents down this late in the game.”

She turned to face him. “It’s not me that’s letting them down.”

“I get that, believe me. I’m not the heartless guy you think I am.”

“No? Don’t pretend this is about us doing the right thing. This is you, out to settle some petty vendetta against Chris Stone. Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a dinner date.”

He stood, wondering who she was meeting. “We’re running out of time, so don’t hold my balls in a vise for too long.”

“Seriously?” She sighed, shaking her head. “You think I’m deliberately trying to make you uncomfortable?”

“Maybe.” Mitch walked to the door, then turned back. “Thanks for the coffee.” He lifted the glass dome from the cake stand and grabbed another muffin. “These muffins are so good.”

12

BABYCAKES

Hand outstretched,Chris Stone stood as Andrew and Tayla approached the table. Dressed in a navy blue suit and flowery shirt, he was much younger than Tayla had expected. She guessed he’d be in his early to mid-thirties, with a full smile and clammy palms. He looked her up and down, his gaze inappropriate for a business meeting.

During dinner, Chris held the floor, criticizing the state of the orchard and making no apologies for his low offer. As he finished his spiel, Tayla wondered if the guy actually believed his own BS.

“You do realize the Whitmans have an offer pending?” Andrew said. “We’re simply putting out feelers.”

“Sure. But if you have no joy, I’m happy to do you a favor and take the place off your hands.” Chris leaned back in his chair, his expression smug. “I’d hate to see your parents go under for the sake of a few hundred K.”

Andrew frowned at Chris before glancing down at his phone as it pinged. “Sorry to bail, but the wife’s on edge. Thanks for the meal, Chris.” He rose from the table and turned to Tayla. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

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