Page 54 of Icing Hearts

“Tell me.”

Tory reluctantly admits, “I have an LLC.”

“You have an LLC?” I ask in disbelief. “You’re seventeen.”

“So what?” He shrugs.

“Aren’t you too young for that?”

“Clearly you have a lot to learn about business. You can open an LLC at sixteen in Minnesota.”

I nod, twirling a curl with my fingers, contemplating. “So…I’m on your payroll? Does that make me your…employee?”

“Hm, yeah, now that I think of it, you’ve been insubordinate. I’ll be expecting you in my office at the end of the day for a formal reprimand.” Endless teasing colors his tone, and I’m tempted to smile.

“Did you start an LLC just to be able to say that?”

“No, Clara. I pay a virtual PA to manage some of my social media stuff. Check my taxes. It’s been around for a year.”

“Well, stop paying me.”

“Is this your formal resignation? Company bylaws state that you need to put in two weeks’ notice. This is super unprofessional.” He sighs. “I cannot, in good conscience, give you a glowing recommendation.”

“Shut up, Tory.” I shove his shoulder, and he uncrosses his arms.

“I’ll give you a raise if you start obnoxiously flirting with me again.”

“You’re in quite the cheeky mood today.”

“Guess you bring it out of me.”

I reach out with both hands and pull down his shirt so his midriff is covered.

Tory puts his hands up in the air and loudly calls out, “This is unacceptable. I’m going to HR.”

“I could do a lot worse.”

“Somebody’s feeling bold.”

“You started it.”

“How mature. I’m not gonna stop paying you. I told you it was a paid position, and I meant it.”

Two can play at this game. “Fine, then you have to start paying Clover and Thomas, too.”

“How much money do you think I’m pulling in?”

“Enough to pay all three of us. Consider it groveling for being so mean to me all these years.”

“Fine. Go get changed, Charity. Company meeting after our workout so I can tell the rest of my staff.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I sing.

“Get out of here before I take my shirt off again.”

Chapter 32

Clara

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