Lime Tree Hill (A Reluctant Kiss #1)

12. Babycakes

12

BABYCAKES

Hand outstretched, Chris Stone stood as Andrew and Tayla approached the table. Dressed in a navy blue suit and flowery shirt, he was much younger than Tayla had expected. She guessed he’d be in his early to mid-thirties, with a full smile and clammy palms. He looked her up and down, his gaze inappropriate for a business meeting.

During dinner, Chris held the floor, criticizing the state of the orchard and making no apologies for his low offer. As he finished his spiel, Tayla wondered if the guy actually believed his own BS.

“You do realize the Whitmans have an offer pending?” Andrew said. “We’re simply putting out feelers.”

“Sure. But if you have no joy, I’m happy to do you a favor and take the place off your hands.” Chris leaned back in his chair, his expression smug. “I’d hate to see your parents go under for the sake of a few hundred K.”

Andrew frowned at Chris before glancing down at his phone as it pinged. “Sorry to bail, but the wife’s on edge. Thanks for the meal, Chris.” He rose from the table and turned to Tayla. “I’ll call you tomorrow. ”

“Thanks, Andrew.” Tayla stood as he walked away, wishing she could leave as well.

“His wife’s pregnant and about to drop,” Chris explained as he looked around the restaurant, checking out the other diners.

“Yes, he mentioned that earlier.” Taking her seat again, Tayla waited for Chris to return his attention to her. “Getting back to Cherry Grove, would you change it to organics in line with the other orchards in the area? It seems to be a growing trend.”

Chris threw back his head and laughed. “I’m all for saving the planet—that’s why we follow industry standards and guidelines when spraying, but a man has to make a buck. While that may not interest your ‘convenient greenie’ neighbor, Harrington, someone’s got to grow decent fruit.”

“Are you saying Mitch’s fruit is inferior?”

“The guy’s clueless. Sure, he’s had some good years, but the global demand for organics is waning. I can’t see him lasting much longer, to be honest. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

The urge to defend Mitch hit Tayla full on. “Surely the demand for organics is on the increase? It certainly is in Sydney.”

“Maybe among the born-again vegan set. It’s like a damn cult with some of those people.”

Tayla held her annoyed tongue. Chris Stone obviously fancied himself as a bit of an expert on growing fruit, born-again vegans, and charming the fairer sex.

Yeah, right.

“I understand it’s Harrington who’s ahead of me in the race for Cherry Grove. Personally, I don’t know where the money’s coming from. Still, he’s a trust fund baby. I’d watch him though.”

“Meaning?”

Chris leaned forward, ready to part with his not-so-secret secret. “He’s got a high profile, I’ll give him that, but his reputation with the ladies could do with a bit of a spit and polish.”

“Sorry? I don’t follow.”

“Let’s just say the guy sleeps with anyone in a pretty dress and heels.” His eyes shot to her chest as he raised a brow. “Although, to be fair, you’re probably not his type.”

Obviously. “Well, we’re not here to gossip about my parents’ neighbor. Thank you for your interest in Cherry Grove. There’s a lot to think about.”

Chris signaled for the waiter to top up his wine. Tayla stared out the window while processing his assessment of Mitch. She tried to imagine what it would be like to have lovers fall at your feet. Did women leave their panties in Mitch’s mailbox, complete with a phone number attached?

“Oh, and one more thing.” Chris smiled, displaying a row of overly white teeth. “If our offer’s successful, we plan to demolish the house to make room for extra trees. Maybe we’ll donate it to the fire service for a training exercise. Reduce demo costs. Or else, with the house on its own title, we could probably flip it and make a buck that way.”

Tayla felt the blood drain from her face at the thought of her beloved family home going up in flames. She kept her expression neutral while inside she raged at the insensitive jerk in front of her. What would her parents say if they knew she was being wined and dined by someone they despised—trying to do a deal behind their backs? She looked down at her unfinished dessert, her appetite lost along with their conversation. “I’ll talk to our lawyer. You’ll have a counteroffer by the end of business tomorrow.”

He downed his wine in one go. “I don’t do counteroffers, babycakes. Best price first and last is my motto.”

Babycakes? “Well, thank you for dinner.”

“My pleasure. I’ve always got time for a pretty face.” He checked his watch as they stood. “But just a heads-up. Don’t hold your breath where Harrington’s concerned. If his offer was unconditional, you wouldn’t be here. Am I right?” He leaned inappropriately close to her ear and whispered, “Let’s have dinner again soon—a little deal sweetener? ”

Tayla stepped back, her hands clenched at her sides. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Chris’s eyes crawled over her again. “I’m surprised your old man didn’t accept our offer months ago. Still, I knew he’d come to his senses. How’s he doing? I might give him a call tomorrow.”

“My father’s not well enough for calls at the moment, and I’d prefer we keep this between ourselves.”

His eyes on her the whole time, Chris gave his credit card to the waiter, who scanned it and handed it back. “Yeah, maybe that’s best, all things considered.”

The hair lifted on the back of her neck. Did the guy think they were having a private moment? “And, Mr. Stone?” He looked up from slotting his credit card into his wallet. “Don’t call me babycakes. Not now, not ever.”

Back home, Tayla sat on the veranda with a cup of peppermint tea, weighing up the pros and cons of a fake marriage to Mr. Billboard. The burden of her parents’ predicament felt like a cloak of duty. One about to smother her.

But every time she recalled Mitch’s response to her offer to look at his knee, she smiled. He didn’t want her touching him. Was he worried what would happen if she did?

Her phone chimed, and she picked it up and unlocked it.

Ruby: How did your dinner date go? Is he open to a counteroffer?

Tayla: ‘I don’t do counteroffers, babycakes.’

Ruby: He called you babycakes? No way!

Tayla: Yep!!! And he kept staring at me like I was a piece of meat while he twisted his wedding band. The guy’s a dick.

Ruby: Did you tell him to go f@*k himself ?

Tayla: Almost. And he plans to take a match to the house so he can plant more trees. Imagine what Mum and Dad would say. They’d be devastated.

Ruby: The bastard! So what’s our next step?

Tayla: *Sigh* Persuade Mitch Harrington to marry me.

Ruby: Are you sure?

Tayla: No. He called me a prissy stuck-up snob.

Ruby: What is it with these men and their name-calling? Surely you wouldn’t give him the time of day after that?

Tayla: Fortune favors the brave.

Ruby: Chin up @prissybabycakes. You’ve got this.

Tayla: I need a pretty dress. If I have to do this, I want to do it in style. Do you know any amazing dressmakers?

Ruby: Yes!!! I’ll be in touch.