Page 35 of Ghostridden
He gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Always a pleasure, Taryn.” He held the door for her, giving her a little bow as she sailed past.
Carson shut the door behind Taryn and then turned to me with a smile while dusting off his palms. “Sorry if I’m late. My client meeting ran a bit long.”
“No worries. I just got here myself. Haven’t even had time to pick out a pastry.”
His glance flicked up and down my body. “Well,youat least have room for a treat now and then. There’s a wonderful boulangerie in Richdale that does a hazelnut cream religieuse to die for. I’ll bring you one.”
Since Carson A) made a body-shaming remark that I was glad Taryn wasn’t present to hear and B) disparaged the bakery’s wares, I glanced at the Isaksens, hoping they hadn’t overheard. Judging by Haley’s frown and Jae-Seong’s eye-roll, though, that hope was obviously forlorn.
“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll find something perfect here. Ricky brought me the pumpkin spice muffin this morning and it was awesome.” I pointed at the quesitos, their pastry envelopesperfectly browned, the cheese filling peeking out from under the guava paste. “I’ve had my eye on those since I walked in. In fact, could I have two, please? No, make that three.”
“Fantastic choice,” Haley said. She faced Carson with the air of someone girding for battle. “What can I get for you, Carson?”
“I’ll have a nonfat flat white with Tenesor’s single origin Kaffa. Continental roast, of course.”
“We don’t have that.”
“No? In Richdale, I can get it—”
“We’ve got Cusmaan Kaffa. It’s from the same region, but it’s fair trade.” Haley bared her teeth in a feral smile. “Continental roast, of course.”
“Hmmm. I suppose that will have to do.” Carson handed over his Amex Black without looking at her.
By that point, if I didn’t need Carson’s insights on Avi, I would have bailed. Because being rude to service workers? Nope.
After Haley rang up his order, she slapped his card down on the counter. “Always a pleasure, Carson.”
I wasn’t certain if she was purposely echoing his remark to Taryn, but it seemed a bit too pointed not to be intentional.
Carson must have read my expression, because he chuckled as he slipped the card back in his wallet. “You’ll have to excuse our little banter. We’ve known each other most of our lives.”
“Yeah,” Jae-Seong said over the hiss of the espresso machine. “We’ve gothistory.”
I wondered briefly what thathistoryentailed. Had Carson and Jae-Seong dated? Carson and Haley? Carson andTaryn? None of those matches seemed likely, but my poor track record with men was legendary, so it’s not like I was a reliable authority. Besides, it wasn’t any of my business.
I reached for my own wallet. “What do I owe you?”
Haley held up her palm. “You’re on Taryn’s tab, remember?”
I squirmed a little, wondering if Taryn had mentioned my financially challenged state, but hey, I’d jettisoned my pride the first time I’d surfed a couch, so I just said, “Thank you,” and meant it. Big time.
Behind me, Carson chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Taryn will bill you for it later. She never gives anything away for free, not even to friends.”
My gaze bounced between the three of them. “Uh…”
“It’s coffee and a few pastries, Carson,” Haley said, “not hours of legal services, which, by the way, would have been a conflict of interest for her. Besides, I don’t recall you waiving your commission when she bought her house.”
Carson sighed. “Be reasonable, Haley. It was my first sale.”
“Exactly,” she said.
“My hands were tied. My broker wouldn’t allow it.”
“Whatever.” She turned to me and smiled. “Please ignore our”—her gaze slid sidelong to Carson—“banter, Maz. Welcome to Ghost. Have a seat and we’ll bring everything to you when the coffee’s ready.”
“Great. Um, thanks.”
“So, Maz.” Carson motioned for me to follow him to a table in the corner. “How are you settling in? I know the first days after a move can be disorienting. New places, new people, new experiences.”
