Page 67 of A Taste of Trouble

; He gave her a sympathetic look. “What happened?”

She let her shoulders droop. She was going to have to recount the events at least three more times, anyway—Austin, Patti, and her mother. She might as well practice.

“The power went out.” She didn't mention the weird circumstances. “The sink leaked and flooded the area behind the counter, ruining all of my business cards and advertising materials.”

“I'm sorry.” He sidled up to her and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his body. “That's not the best start to your opening day.”

“It's just…” She hesitated. This was a suspicion she didn't want to say out loud, but she needed to talk it through with someone. She raised her head from his chest. “I think someone might be trying to sabotage me.”

His body tensed and his eyes narrowed.

“Do you think it could be someone I know? All of these bad things have been happening, like someone doesn't want me to open.”

Jake lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. “You really believe this, don't you?”

She did. With every passing minute, a feeling of dread settled heavier in her stomach. “I think it might be Nancy. She's my mentor. I owe her a lot, and I just feel so…” She felt awful thinking that Nancy could have anything to do with her failing. “I feel horrible even saying it out loud, but she's just been around a lot, and all of these bad things are starting to make me paranoid.”

“Has she given you any reason in the past to believe she might not want you to succeed?” Jake asked.

Liv shook her head. Nancy was her number one fan and supporter. And Liv was so eager to throw her under the bus. Shame on her. But that didn't stop the suspicion from growing in her mind.

“Businesses have ups and downs,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a lot of downs to finally get your stride.” Jake stroked her hair. “Everything will work out.” He smiled.

And she believed him.

How easily she believed him. How easily she missed the signs that someone could be out to get her. This man was a distraction. Everything she had worked for was at risk the closer they became.

She whispered, “Thank you,” and wiggled out of his embrace.

While icing her cupcakes, Jake walked over to the boxes and sifted through them, pulling out a stack of cards. “What are these?”

Liv smiled. Those were her favorite idea. “‘Buy twelve cupcakes, get the thirteenth free' cards.” With every single cupcake a person bought they could have their card stamped, and when they accumulated twelve, they would get one free. It didn't apply to the purchase of dozen and half dozen boxes, of course. Liv's shoulders slumped when she realized Valerie had been the perfect opportunity to promote her special.

“Great idea.”

“It was a great idea.” Liv shrugged then pulled the cupcakes from the tray and set them on the cooling rack.

Jake looked through the boxes a little longer then asked, “Did you mock these up yourself?”

“Yes, with Austin's help.” Liv ducked inside the fridge.

“Are they on a flash drive?”

She emerged with two bowls of icing, one in each hand, and kicked the door closed. “I don't have one here, but they're on my laptop.” She gestured to her computer that sat on the makeshift desk in the tiny room that was supposed to be an office.

“Can I borrow it?” Jake grinned. “You need brochures and business cards, and I might have someone who owes me a favor and can get this printed for you in a few hours.”

“What?” Liv let the bowls drop to the table. They banged against the wood. “I don't need you to—”

“Liv.” He paused, making sure she was looking in his eyes. “Letting someone help you doesn't make you weak.”

She sighed. She needed help. And he offered. If he didn't want to help, he wouldn't have offered. But letting him help meant giving away another piece of herself. She didn't have very many pieces left when it came to Jake, and holding her cards close to the vest was in her best interest. They could have sex, maybe they could even date, but she would be damned if she let him cloud her dream any more than he already had.

Liv placed a disposable piping bag inside a cup and folded down the edges—her secret trick for filling up the bag with ease.

But his next words confused her even more. “Besides, I owe you.”

“Oh, yeah?” She scooped up a spoonful of icing and dropped it into the piping bag. “How do you figure?”

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