Page 42 of The Deal Maker

“We got an assignment to come visit you for a scavenger assignment,” I say, lifting my phone with the screen lit so she cansee the app. If this business is participating, they have to have seen more of them, right?

The woman shakes her head and says, “I need help rolling a bunch of silverware then. We open in two hours.”

Shrugging, I follow her to a table in the back and watch as she starts folding the silverware into the cloth napkins.

Duke is still frowning, which isn’t something I see on his face that often. Maybe he really doesn’t like fish.

EIGHTEEN

DUKE

I really hate seafood. And by hate, I mean that I’m terrified of it because my allergy to it is substantial. Think about Hitch on his date to a cooking class. My face swells up and then I look like a red potato.

Why did I not admit this to Maggie?

Probably because I feel like there’s something different between us now, like she’s not hating me as much as before, and I want to spend more time with her.

The energy between us at the cookie decorating station was electric, and although I tried to play off touching her to wipe thesticky frosting from her face like it was no big deal, it was a very big deal.

I’d been tempted to lean over and kiss her, but given our history, I didn’t think that was the best idea. Maybe that’s why I didn’t admit that I have an allergy and go about my day?

Yes, I should’ve. But then we would be done with our scavenger challenges for the day and I’m not ready for that.

Besides, we’re not actually eating seafood. We’re just working close to the kitchen, that might not be up and running for the day, but it still has that distinct smell of the ocean.

I have to watch Maggie fold the silverware and the napkin since I spaced out during the actual demonstration. Her fingers are painted with a clear pink polish and her skin looks so soft as she adeptly rolls the silverware in the napkin and makes it look just like the example.

“Have you worked in a restaurant before?” I ask. She looks comfortable here and I don’t think The Candy Jar is at all comparable to a place like this. She worked at an ice cream place, but I doubt they would be rolling silverware into fabric napkins there.

I have to clear my throat in order to get an itch to subside. Maybe it’s just in preparation for an allergic reaction, since I haven’t put anything into my mouth since we walked in.

She turns to give me a small smile. “My aunt and uncle owned a restaurant that sold Greek food. I loved going to help them from time to time. My parents hated it because they thought I’d get the wrong ideas. They wanted me to be an accountant.”

Nodding, I can see that happening. “An ice cream shop, a Greek food restaurant and now The Candy Jar. I think it was destiny. They’ve got to be proud of that.”

She shrugs. “They don’t really see that far into my job title. The fact that I sell candy makes them think I’m delusional and still a child.”

That would be awful. And exactly how my parents would react.

“I’m so sorry, Maggie. If it’s any consolation, I think it’s great that you followed your passion.”

“Thanks. What about you? Are your parents proud of your line of work?”

Here we go again. I know she’s got some animosity toward timeshares, but does she have to shoot darts through her eyes at me? Taking a closer look, she is genuinely interested. Maybe we’re moving on from the past?

“I think they’re glad they don’t have to deal with me on a daily basis anymore. At the shop, anyway.”

“What kind of shop?”

Blowing out a breath, I try to paste on a smile. “They own the wedding shop at the edge of this shopping mall. The Bridal Barn.”

Maggie turns up her nose at the sound of that. “Right, I knew that. Did they come up with the name?”

I give her a half-smile and say, “Yes, they did. I’ve wondered hundreds of times if they could’ve come up with something better. We’re not even close to a bunch of farm fields and it makes it sound like everyone is a redneck or something.”

Maggie laughs, placing her hand over her mouth to block some of the sound. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t make fun of something like that.”

Raising my hands, I step back and say, “All is fair when it comes to relating wedding preparations to a place that houses animals.”

---