Page 11 of Sweet, Sweet Jewel: A Sweet Treats Novel

Sky smirked.

Jewel rolled her eyes. Looked like Finn was weaving his charm on Sky.

And it was working.

She sighed and slid behind the counter to hide out in the kitchen.

Before she could make her escape, Sky slammed the kitchen door shut and threw her hands wide, barring her way. “Jewel, this guy just thwarted a robbery and walked you all the way back to the store.”

“I thanked him already,” Jewel whispered in annoyance.

“It’s fine.” Finn rubbed his jaw. “Honestly, I didn’t know Jewel worked here. All I wanted was some coffee.”

“I see.” Sky glanced at her and mouthed, “He’s so gorgeous!”

Jewel frowned. She’d noticed, but again, looks didn’t mean much in her books. Sure, Finn had the face and build of a rugged, Spanish warrior, but he probably had an ego to boot.

If she ever stepped out of her comfort zone for a man, it would be one of average height and looks with an average job and average dreams. Finn was anything but her type. She saw no reason to stick around.

“I’ll go check on the brownies,” Jewel mumbled.

Sky shot her a reprimanding look but nodded. “Fine.”

While Sky and Finn dove into a conversation, Jewel skidded into the kitchen and let the door bang shut behind her.

Finally. Silence.

She wilted against the counter and planted a palm on the cold surface. A stinging sensation flared in her hands and she glanced down, noting the tiny stones that had dug into her flesh. She must have scraped her hand when she fell.

Wincing, Jewel strode to the sink and let the cold water wash away the grime.

A few minutes later, Sky joined her in the kitchen.

Jewel turned around. “Is he gone?”

“Yes.” Sky moved toward her, brown eyes dancing. “He seems nice.”

“You determined that in a five-minute conversation?”

“I determined that with my instincts.” Sky tapped her temple.

Her frown deepened. Sky’s analyzation setting was dialed to ‘optimistic’. She saw the best in the worst kinds of people. Jewel didn’t trust in or subscribe to that worldview.

Sky grabbed an apron and tied it around her slim waist. “He’s here in Belize for a business venture and he doesn’t have any friends.”

“So?”

“So guess what I did.”

“What?”

“Guess!”

“Uh, you gave him a coupon?”

“No.”

Jewel’s heart twisted. She had a bad feeling about this.

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