Page 4 of Charlie Beck Says I'm His

My stomach dropped to my feet. The oven was one of our most important pieces of equipment. The only thing more important than the oven was the fryers. “How long has the oven been down for?”

Margot wrung her hands together. “Probably half an hour. Walt has been trying to get it running, but I decided it was time to let you know we’re running out of biscuits, and even if Walt gets the oven running now, we are going to run out.”

There was the bottom falling out of what was supposed to be a great reopening.

Wilder had been taking care of the marketing and rebranding, so that meant this was my problem. I had been working at Chicken Biscuit since I was able to see over the counter, and I knew the restaurant inside out.

“Let me see what I can do,” I grunted. Someone needed to get that damn oven running, and that was going to be me.

Wilder had done his part of pushing Chicken Biscuit to the next level, so now it was my turn to fulfill my part of the bargain.

People were going to want their biscuits, and I was going to make sure they got them.

Chapter Three

Missy

“Run around, but stay out of the water.”

Bandit tipped his head to the side, and his tongue lolled to the side.

“I mean it, Bandit. You just spent an hour frolicking, and I am ready to go home.” I always talked to Bandit as if he could actually understand what I was saying.

I mean, hell, it did seem like he knew what I was telling him ninety percent of the time.

I wasn’t too sure that he was getting it now, though. The lake was one of his favorite places, and it always took a lot to get him away from the water.

Bandit wandered to the edge of the water but didn’t jump in. My phone dinged, and I pulled it out to see a text from Shelby. “Stay out of the water,” I reminded Bandit.

I opened the message, and a bark of laughter erupted from my mouth.

Wilder Presley was right there on my screen in all of his glory, wearing a Chicken Biscuit paper hat plopped on his head.

I’m waiting for you.

Shelby would make Wilder wear those hats. I’m at the lake.

And now you are going to be at Chicken Biscuit in ten minutes.

I have Bandit with me.

Chicken Biscuit is pet friendly.

He’s wet. I countered.

I have a towel in my car.

I did, too, but I was trying to think of any way out of going to Chicken Biscuit. I had gone this long without seeing Charlie and would like to continue the streak. I don’t want to come. Might as well play my last card.

I promise I’ll shield you from Charlie. He’s busy fixing something anyway.

I closed my eyes and sighed. I shouldn’t care about Charlie and worry about him having something break during his big reopening. Can I just stay in my car?

Missy.

Why do you want me to come so badly? I asked. I got that it was a big day for Wilder, but it wasn’t like I was going to make or break it.

Because I want my best friend here.

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