Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
KENZIE
Last night was amazing. I never knew being with a man could shatter me like that. Mikael is amazing. I never had a man spend hours making love to me before. When he looks at me, my knees buckle and I'm breathless.
He thinks I'm pretty.
He knows my weaknesses. He's into me even though I'm not perfect. I have panic attacks, and I'm in debt up to my eyeballs.
We sit at a table to eat.
“The place looks amazing,” Bo says.
“Absolutely. It's elegant enough to be a gala event,” Mikael says. His eyes meet mine, and I can tell he means what he says. “You’re beautiful and amazing.”
I marvel over the fact that he says I’m beautiful. I don't know if I'll ever believe it, but I'll take what I can get.
“I hope today goes well.” It seems I'm always on a rollercoaster. I would love for today to be a success. But just as important is the fact that Mikael and I are a couple.
I don't know what kind of life I’ll have with Mikael. He's a public figure. He has an incredible house and a Lambo, for Christ's sake. Bo noticed his face on the side of a city bus last week. How can I compete with him?
“What's wrong?” Mikael asks.
“I'm overthinking things,” I sigh. Don't get excited, Kenzie. He chose you.
Even though I doubt he's going to fall in love with someone who has a bazillion dollars, is as thin as a twig, and has lips enhanced with fillers—what do I know?
We joked about his “Barbie” date, I can't rule them out. Is he capable of committing to one woman? I'm not sure.
He might be ready to settle down and have a family, but I don't know if I'm ready now that I bought the shop.
I don't know if I can have kids, but he's said he’s open to adoption.
He freaked me out this morning with a talk about Sherlock being welcomed in his home and his Rover. I have first-hand experience of men telling me what I want to hear only to change their minds later.
I said he wasn't relationship material.
Has he changed?
We finish eating, and Bo opens the door for customers.
I'm afraid the day will be a wash when people begin to trickle in. The usual morning rush files in and more come after they’ve left. The shop is filled in the morning, and all my staff are racing to fill orders.
Sylvie and Bo bump into each other behind the register, and they chuckle. Bo is anxious for details of my night, but I'm afraid what we have won't last.
The shop grows warm due to so many people in it. I'm shocked that so many people braved the freezing temperatures to come. I glance out the window and I notice a van. It's the local TV station.
A woman wearing a thick coat and knee boots pops out of the marked van and enters. We make eye contact.
“I'm Josie, are you Kenzie?” She's dressed in an expensive coat that reaches her knees, and her makeup is impeccable.
How can Mikael be with me when he can date women like her in designer suits that make them look like fashion plates? I hate needles. No amount of money will coerce me into injecting my face. She's gorgeous, and once again, I'm reminded of my competition.
I smile. “I'm the new owner, Kenzie,” I say, offering my hand.
I see new and familiar faces. My staff takes turns running into the back to restock the cases.
We shake hands while her cameraman is videoing the store.
“Are you live?” I ask.
“No, we're obtaining footage. You'll be the news tonight.”
“That's great.” But I'm bummed. Noon news might have helped; I've been told there's no such thing as bad publicity.
She asks if I'm ready for simple questions.
“Sure.”
“I'm on location at Le Petit Patissier. Kenzie is the new owner, and today is her grand re-opening. How does it feel to be a small business owner?”
The microphone is in my face. Mikael appears to the side of her and nods to me. I'd do anything for liquid courage right about now.
I plant a smile on my face. “Fantastic,” I reply, projecting all the enthusiasm I can muster.
“What made you decide to become a bakery shop owner?”
“I bake most of the products here. I provide organic sweets, bread, and croissants.”
“Organic is popular,” she smiles and placates me, but instead, it’s an insult to my intelligence.
Like duh .
“How long are you open today?”
“We are open from seven to 2 p.m. We have breakfast handhelds, sandwiches, and of course my favorite, cupcakes and made-to-order desserts.”
“It smells yummy in here!” she beams at the camera. Then her mood switches, and the camera is on Mikael. The man focuses on the two of them. “We have a special guest here today. I noticed Mikael Lawsen standing here,” she says. She leans her microphone to him and asks, “Mikael, what brings you out today?”
“Kenzie is a great friend, and I wanted to support her,” he smiles effortlessly at the camera. His chiseled chin is on display. He winks at me.
What the fuck is that?
“I see the Maulers are having a great season this year. How do you feel about that?”
“Fantastic. We have a great team, great fans. I couldn't be happier. Go Maulers!”
Seriously? It's my grand opening, and it turned into hockey talk?
Don't be envious, I say to myself. It's his job. He has to plug the team with free media coverage.
I'm seething. I don't need his help.
Josie turns to the camera, “Come on down to Main Street today!” she says before the cameraman announces, “That's a wrap.”
The red dot on the camera goes out, and they are gone in five minutes.
“You did great,” Mikael offers.
“Thank you,” I force myself to be pleasant, then stomp to the back of the shop so he won't follow.
The store is packed. I can't breathe. I storm to the back door and hit the metal handle hard. The sun hits my face, the air cools my cheeks, and damn, it's freezing.
The door thugs behind me. “Go away,” I say, expecting Mikael.
“What?” Bo says.
I turn my head. “Oh, it's you.”
“Who else would it be?”
She stands beside me. “Are you okay?”
“I will be.” I've been upstaged. It's my shop, and I won't even be on the clip tonight. They'll use his pretty face and hockey team. He's newsworthy; I'm not. I can't compete with him. He's a name; he has millions. I'll always be Kenzie.
“If it makes you feel any better, Sylvie said you're selling out of everything.”
“Why is life such a struggle?”
“It just is,” she says, putting her arm around my shoulders and hugging me to her.
“I won't be in the clip,” I murmur.
“Probably not.”
“I always wanted my own business, and because he's famous, I am robbed of my fifteen seconds of fame.”
“It appears that's the case. But he's here. He came for you, Kenzie. That counts for something.”
“Does it?” I look at her. “How do I know? He called me his friend. What am I? A one-night stand? I thought last night meant something.”
“I don't know, but you should talk to him,” she encourages me.
“I don't know if I can. I'm so pissed I could spit bullets.”
“It's still publicity. He called me at work yesterday for the details to post on his social media accounts. Besides, his hockey buddies are here, and they brought friends.” She turns to face me. “Come inside, be social.”
“I don't feel like it.”
“You're the store owner. They are current and future sales. You have bills to pay, so suck it up, buttercup!”
“I hate that line.”
“I know, but you need to do this. It's for you, not him.”
“As much as I hate kissing ass, you're right.”
“I know,” and she gives me her biggest grin, something I'd see on a cartoon character.
I crack up at her giving Jack Nicholson's creepy grinning smile. Oddly it matches my dark mood.
“Fine,” I huff, but follow her inside and join Mikael, who is conversing with his friends.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Sure.” I put on my award-winning phony grin, determined to play my part.
“Finn!” I exclaim and hug him.
“Kenzie! Now I see why Mikael raves about this place. You've done a great job.”
“Thank you.” It's nice to receive a compliment that isn't from my “friends.” Oh, how that irks me!
And it breaks my heart at the same time.
The day has been bittersweet.
Everyone is talking excitedly. I notice Simon, who is with his daughter. She's about three or four and has pink frosting all over her face and fingers. I smile. She's adorable. I commit this moment to memory. I bring happiness to customers' faces daily and rarely get to enjoy it.
Finn stands beside me.
“You know, it's really great that Mikael made this possible.” He munches on a sandwich.
“What do you mean?”
“You know,” he shrugs. What the hell is he inferring?
“No. I don't.”
“He loves angel investing. He likes to make a difference in the lives of those who need a leg up, so to speak. He’s a great guy, and even though he’s famous, he's never lost touch with his roots. He enjoys giving back to the community.”
“You're right,” I force a smile. Did he imply Mikael is my angel investor? My secret partner?
What the fuck?
How did I not put it together? It was too coincidental: the loan falling through, me confiding in Mikael, and a mysterious benefactor who appeared out of thin air.
I trusted him! Clearly, my trust was misplaced.
I realize this now. How can I continue in a partnership with him knowing that he had a stake in the opening today?
He didn't help me bake to help me. He was helping himself!
It's as if a bayonet knife was jabbed into my heart. I’ve been gutted.
He's not who I thought he was. I don't know if anything he told me was true. What else has he lied about?
What hurts the most is that I can't believe anything he says. I don't know him or his friends. They could all be cooing behind my back.
Finn knows he's sponsored the sale. This means his friends aren't here for me but for him!
My eyes grow wide with the startling revelation.
He's not into me. I'm a business venture he knows will deliver. I'm like a thoroughbred racehorse. Of course, he'll bet on me—I work hard. I've poured years into these places, and just when I began to trust him and the fact there could be an us, the rug disintegrates from under my feet.
Mikael was a magical genie, making my wish come true.
But if he knew me, he'd know I'd prefer to be an employee who toils away at the helm rather than take a handout.
I can't trust anyone but Bo.