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Her face is unreadable when she looks up. “Uh, yeah. I’m just not used to being in the limelight…”
Haute chuckles. “And yet, here you are. You have such an innocent fresh face, all the better to sell your sweets.”
Junie stiffens like she’s not sure what to make of his enthusiasm.
I damn sure don’t like it myself, or the uncertainty.
But I hold my tongue in my teeth, knowing if I insult him, we can kiss the crown jewel of Higher Ends goodbye.
“There’s no one better,” I agree. I don’t have to try hard to put pride in my voice. “The Sugar Bowl has picked up a lot of attention lately. Her grandmother always told her, ‘do what you love and the money will come.’ I’m happy as hell to say it’s finally coming in.”
Haute smiles, shifting his attention back to me.
“And how are things going with the treats at your existing properties, Rory?”
“Extremely well,” I answer too fast. “Her goods are an excellent fit for an affluent clientele. We’ve had a ton of positive feedback. It’s an easy touch the guests appreciate, and it’s started showing up in our reviews.”
“People are reviewing my stuff?” Junie asks.
I realize I haven’t had time to mention the new success. With everything that’s happened, it’s been at the very back of my mind.
“Absolutely. We leave her business cards with every order so people know where to get their fix.”
“Ohh. That would explain the uptick in orders and people calling from out of town,” Junie murmurs.
“You’re a hit. Get used to it,” I say, looking down at her.
From this angle, I can see the freckles dusting her nose and the long curve of her eyelashes as she glances up at me.
I want to kiss her here and now, possessively as hell, just to remind Haute that she’ll never be part of the deal even if her confections are.
Kissing her has become a damn addiction.
Familiar heat flares in her eyes and she looks away again, that demure blush creeping up her neck.
She’s so delectable because she plays so innocent. Haute isn’t wrong about that.
The chokehold she has over my libido is frankly ridiculous.
“Excellent news.” Haute claps his hands together. I wrench my thoughts back to the discussion. The pastries, right. Always the pastries. “I was hoping you’d say that, Rory.”
I look at him, raising an eyebrow.
“I’ve got a fresh proposition for Juniper,” he says, fixing his razor-sharp focus on her. She shifts uncomfortably, but her expression doesn’t change. “It was Clara’s idea really, but I do hope you’ll consider it.”
“Of course. What do you have in mind?” Junie’s fingers tighten around my arm.
“An extension of your arrangement with Higher Ends,” he says, without even glancing at me. I can’t read his face and I hate that I don’t know what he’s planning. “I may not have a large hand in the rental game here. However, I still own several large properties in this city. I’d love to feature Sugar Bowl products at all Haute properties, starting with this very restaurant.” He sweeps his arm around like a monarch presenting his kingdom.
Junie’s eyes go unfocused.
I hate to admit it, but her products would fit in very well here, assuming the store’s up to the task. It’s clearly a high-end establishment, and her stuff has the look, even if it’s sweet enough to choke a man.
“It would be a trial program, of course,” Haute says smoothly. “I can’t make any grand long-term promises yet. However, if it goes well, I can see a long-lasting place for your sweets here.”
Fuck.
Maybe it’s Archer’s cynicism hitting, but something doesn’t smell right about this, coming out of the blue.
