Chapter 21 Solana #2
He nodded, then leaned in to kiss me tenderly before finally releasing his hold on me and walking out the door. I watched him the entire time. He backed his bike out of the space, then turned to look up at me with a wink before pulling off.
My shoulders did a little shimmy as I watched him leave. It would take the jaws of life to get that man out of my system if it ever came to that. If it were up to me, that would be never.
I turned and locked the back door, then walked into the kitchen to wash my hands.
I placed the remaining cupcakes I had set aside for Duke onto the tray to put in the display case up front.
Just as he had suggested, I turned and wrote his name and the description of the cupcake beside it, then placed all eleven into the case to see if others would enjoy it as well.
Before heading to the back to put the tray away, I walked to the front door to flip the sign to open, then made my way back with the tray. I set it on the counter and washed my hands once more before grabbing a pair of gloves.
The bell that alerted me to customers rang, so I grabbed my apron, threw it over my clothes, and rushed toward the front. I hadn’t looked up yet from tying it around my waist.
“So this is where you’ve been all this time?”
I stilled, unable to look up. A voice I hadn’t heard in almost a year. I slowly raised my eyes to see Henderson, my ex-manager. He was in slacks and a cashmere turtleneck sweater with a pair of shades in his hand. I still hadn’t spoken as I watched him walk around the shop, inspecting everything.
I don’t know why it felt like I was being stripped naked in front of a crowd. But it did. Maybe because he was part of my old life and was now preparing to cast judgment on my new one.
I cleared my throat and pulled myself together. I walked to stand behind my register and gripped my hips.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
My voice had lost its usual bounce, now deflated. The cloud I had been floating on was nowhere to be found.
Henderson smiled and turned back to face me.
“Is that the only thing that matters? You’re acting like you aren’t happy to see me. We had a great working relationship until you decided to leave it all behind out of nowhere.”
I chuckled, finding my strength again.
“Out of nowhere?” I asked with a lift of my brow and a tilt of my head.
Henderson released a breath and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He strolled over to stand directly in front of me.
“Oh, come on. We were handling the stalker situation. Are we really getting upset about the fact that people love you?” he asked.
I looked away for a moment and rolled my eyes. This was one of the main reasons I had left. Had he been the kind of manager who took my concerns seriously, we wouldn’t be here. I may have still been smiling in front of cameras but dying inside little by little.
“That’s your problem. You think someone sending me crazed letters and then standing in my yard at night would make me feel loved. If so, your view on love looks a lot different from mine and it’s twisted as fuck.”
I turned to walk back around the counter when Henderson reached out and gripped my arm. Before I could respond, the bell over the door sounded. I glanced up to see Duke strolling in, his expression impassive.
Henderson was still gripping my arm, but by the look on Duke’s face, he had better let go and soon. Duke subtly pointed to my arm.
“I don’t know your reasons and don’t give a fuck. But if you still want that hand, you better find something safe to do with it.”
Henderson released my arm like it was on fire. He opened his mouth, then closed it.
“I didn’t mean any harm. I’m just talking to her.”
Duke ignored him and placed two fingers beneath my chin to tilt my head back, almost like he was checking whether Henderson had done more than grab my arm. Then he leaned in and placed a kiss along my jawline.
For a moment, I almost forgot Henderson was still standing there.
“You cool?” Duke asked.
I nodded, unable to form a word.
Duke released me and walked over to one of the tables beside us to take a seat, one leg out as he leaned back, giving us his full attention. I could tell Henderson was flustered because his peachy skin had gone red and his brows had drawn together.
“Solana, we have to talk about this. You can’t just walk away. We can fix this easily. I can get people on board with your new look,” he said, the last word landing with just enough hesitation to sting.
I chuckled and walked back around the counter to stand in front of my register.
“Just because you know where I am now doesn’t mean I’m going back. You might as well not waste your time.”
He looked away, then back at me.
“Give it some thought. Even if you just come back to end that chapter of your life the right way. I can get you that interview. I’m not saying this as your manager but as a friend.
This place can’t be all you want. If you wanted to own a bakery, you could have done this in LA. You could have owned a few of these.”
I laughed and shook my head. On one hand he was trying to sound like he was helping, but on the other he was looking down on my new life. He needed to get his story straight. This was about him and nothing more.
Henderson reached into his pocket and held out his business card.
“You need to get in front of this. If I found you, don’t you realize anyone else can too? Your bodyguard isn’t going to be able to help you all the time. End this the right way.”
Duke chuckled behind him.
Henderson’s brows drew together and his lips formed a tight line. He was an asshole who believed his views were law. It made him a great agent when it came to getting me the money I deserved, but as a person I could only stomach him for so long.
He held the card out until he realized I wasn’t going to take it, then set it on the countertop. The bell dinged as a few more customers walked in. Henderson glanced over his shoulder, then back at me.
“I’ll be at that bed and breakfast in town. The Blooming, I think it’s called. I’m here until tomorrow. I’ve got the jet ready and a seat with your name on it. Let me know your decision by tomorrow morning.”
He cleared his throat and turned to leave. Duke watched him until he got into his car, then turned to face me. I knew he wanted to talk about it, but now wasn’t the time. He stood from where he had been sitting and walked behind the counter to whisper in my ear.
“I’m going to have a few of the guys posted outside in case ol’ boy comes back. But we gone talk later.”
He kissed my cheek and left the shop. A few moments later, a few of the Thorns took their positions out front. I thanked God for how busy it got after that, because I needed anything to clear my mind.