Page 55 of All Mine

“And you’re okay with that?” Adrian asked.

“She’s never going to succeed. I’d like her to understand that it isn’t about kicking her and other tenants out. I’m designing her a much better bakery in the new building.”

“But, she doesn’t want a new bakery,” Sloane said.

“I’m well aware of that. But, I’m not the one buying the property, so that part’s out of my hands.”

“Are you her boyfriend now?” Sloane asked, pushing her plate away and folding her hands on the table.

This conversation was giving me whiplash. I should have sat somewhere else. “We haven’t talked about it.”

“Do you want to be her boyfriend?” Sloane asked.

Jesus, Lauren hadn’t even asked to define what was going on, but her friend wasn’t beating around the bush here. “We’re not talking about this like a group of high schoolers.”

“I would tend to agree,” Adrian chimed in.

“Thank you,” I said.

“But, this is Lauren we’re talking about, and we have our reasons,” Adrian continued.

“Damn it.” I glared at Adrian. “I know about the ex-husband, and he sounds like a dick. But I’m not him. And she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to define what we’re doing either. Would you guys give her some credit for being a grown-up who owns her own business and knows what she’s doing?”

They all stared at each other. I didn’t know which was more offensive— what they thought of her or me?

“We’re just looking out for our friend,” Sloane said. “And she deserves a guy who’ll love and support her dreams. One who’ll stick around.”

I didn’t get the impression that she was looking for a long-term commitment. Maybe I gave Lauren what she wanted at the moment and nothing more. My chest tightened. Our nights had been great, and it wasn’t only the mind-blowing sex. The conversations and even the fighting left me wanting more. Lauren was an amazing woman, and I didn’t look forward to finishing this project.

My phone buzzed face down on the table next to me. It was Stephen. “I have to take this,” I said, standing, grabbing my coffee, and heading out the door before answering. I hadn’t been able to reach him since he left without a word yesterday.

“Mr. Wellington,” I answered, “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“I assume you took care of that unpleasant business going on outside your office yesterday.”

“Yes, and it won’t happen again, I can assure you.” I stepped off the porch and away from the house. The sun glinting off the water in Hart Lake caused me to squint, staring out over the docked boats.

“How can you be so confident?”

“I reached an agreement with the organizer.”

“Yes, I know.”

“What? How?”

“You’re fraternizing with the enemy, Mr. Carter. I have eyes and ears in that town.”

“You’re spying on me?” The contents of my stomach had turned into a cement block.

“No. But from what I’ve heard, you might be getting a little too close to the baker. This could jeopardize my plans.”

“It will absolutely not get in the way. I was taking care of a problem— not getting too close.”

“I’m afraid it already has gotten in the way since you haven’t gotten Lewis to agree to the sale.”

“That has nothing to do with it. It takes time to convince someone who wasn’t in the market at all to then decide to sell.” Stephen didn’t get how difficult of a process this was. I wanted to hurl the cup of coffee across the lawn, then thought better.

“Especially when he has the likes of Lauren Hart in his ear and sending him baked goods to not sell.”

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