9. Serena
9
SERENA
“ I don’t understand this man at all,” I groan into the phone.
“He’s confused. It definitely seems as though he likes you. Maybe he doesn’t know how to convey that, so he does it by offering to help you be successful.”
“I don’t think he can learn to use his words. Also, my store is doing just fine thank you, I never asked him to save me.”
“You’re not wrong,” she giggles.
“I’m tired of men who can’t express their feelings. I’m tired of the damn guessing game.”
“I hear you, and I’m proud of you for finally realizing that you deserve better than half-ass men.”
“I just…”
“Okay, if you keep talking about it, you’re only putting frustration out into the universe. New subject. That Brant guy is so damn hot.”
“I don’t know him well, but I think he’s pretty sweet. Next time I see Logan, I can get his number.”
“Don’t tell Logan you’re asking for me,” she teases. “You will drive him crazy if he likes you and you ask for his bestie's number.”
“He has issues, and I don’t care,” I lie.
I’m sitting at my counter, tapping away at my refurbished laptop, surrounded by the comforting scents of the batch of fudge I finished earlier.
I’m supposed to review the finances, but instead, I’m staring at the notes I made after Logan’s impromptu visit yesterday. My eyes skim over his suggestions, and I can’t help but be impressed. How did he know so much about all this?
I reread the notes, soaking in the detailed knowledge he dropped as if it were no big deal. SEO, analytics, integrated booking systems, and stuff that usually flies right over my head suddenly seem almost approachable based on how he explained it.
I don’t know if it’s because he’s a natural at this kind of thing or if he just knows how to make complicated stuff seem simple. Either way, I’m kind of in awe.
With a sigh, I flip to the next page, where I jotted down his ideas about expanding my business. Party planning, decorating, baking on a larger scale...it’s a lot to take in. It sounds exciting but also terrifying.
Do I really want to grow like that? Do I even have the time?
Lila calls, interrupting my thoughts. I quickly catch her up.
“He offered to go through my books to see if I could afford employees.”
“What did you tell him?”
“No thanks.”
“Probably not that politely,” she sighs. “Not everyone is like Davis, you know? He was a piece of shit that stole from you because he’s a bad person. You have to trust your instincts, not your trauma.”
“Uggghhhhhh,” I groan. “My instincts told me to believe Davis when he told me he was a millionaire and this hugely successful person.”
“They didn’t really, though. You fell for the man you believed him to be, that he pretended to be, because he manipulated you. We had so many discussions about this. I know that you knew who he really was before you realized and accepted that he was a fraud.”
“You’re right.”
“Your gut is always right, Serena. You just have to trust it. How do you feel about Logan?”
“I mean, he can’t be lying about being successful right? There’s no way he can fake all of those Google hits, right?”
“He is successful with a lot of proof to back him,” Lila says. “It’s a big deal that he’s offering to help. You just have to set your ego and trauma to the side to accept it.”
“Why does it have to be so hard? Why can’t there be a flashing neon sign above dudes’ heads that say ‘he’s married,’ ‘piece of shit,’ ‘great dude, but is oddly attached to his sister?’”
“Oh, if only it were so easy,” she giggles. “Journal about it, and I bet you realize what’s actually holding you back from accepting his help.”
“You’re right.”
“Are you still at the store?”
“Yes, tonight is when I’m supposed to go through my financials.”
“And you’re talking to me instead.”
“I failed math, Lila. I’m not an accountant.”
“All the more reason to let a Fortune 500 CEO help you out.”
“Ugghhhhhhhh, fine,” I sigh.
I’m so deep in thought that I don’t notice when the door chimes. It’s only when a shadow falls across my screen that I look up—and there he is.
Logan Pierce, in all his polished, confident glory, standing in my shop as if he owns the place—oh wait—he kinda does.
“Lila, I have a customer I have to go.”
“Customer? It’s almost 10 pm.”
“It’s Logan,” I sigh.
“Call me after!”
I hang up the phone.
“I thought you had plans, why are you here this late?”
“Shouldn’t you be annoying someone else? Or working, maybe?”
He smirks, that infuriatingly charming smirk that probably makes women swoon. “I own the company. I can do whatever I want.”
“Must be nice. What brings you back here? Didn’t get enough of my fabulous customer service earlier?”
He leans casually against the counter, his eyes sparkling. “I saw your lights on and got worried. Also, I came to show you my progress.”
“Your progress?” I raise an eyebrow.
“I started working on the website.”
My jaw drops a little. “You what?”
“Started building it. I’ve got a prototype if you want to take a look.” His voice is so casual, as if he hasn’t just upended my entire day with that statement.
I want to be mad. I should be mad. He’s just gone ahead and done this without even asking me. But...I’m not mad. I’m intrigued.
“You didn’t think to ask me first?”
He shrugs, unbothered. “I figured you’d want to see it before deciding whether to move forward. Think of it as a free consultation.”
I bite my lip, torn between irritation and curiosity. “Show me.”
He pulls out his phone and taps the screen several times before holding it out to me. I take it, trying to maintain my composure as I scroll through the site he’s created.
It’s clean, elegant, and exactly what I didn’t realize I needed. The images of my work, candies, cakes, decorations—the whole deal—are front and center, beautifully displayed. The layout is intuitive, the colors match my brand perfectly, and the way he’s organized everything...it’s just impressive.
I glance up at him, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s...it’s really good.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I hate that you did this without asking,” I admit, but there’s no real heat in my words. “But damn, it looks amazing.”
“I knew you’d come around,” he says, that smirk still firmly in place.
I hand his phone back, crossing my arms as I lean against the counter. “You know, most people would find it presumptuous that you just went ahead and did this.”
“You’re not most people, Serena. You’re someone who’s going to take this place to the next level, whether you realize it or not.”
I narrow my eyes at him, unsure if I’m flattered or annoyed. “You seem pretty confident for a man who wants to shut me down.”
He sighs and hangs his head. “I know what you’re capable of. And you’ve given me better insight into how incredible this place can be. You could be doing events all over the city, catering to clients who would pay top dollar for your skills. You’ve got the talent, the drive, everything you need to make it happen.”
“Except the desire,” I mutter, more to myself than to him.
“You’re afraid of growing too big.”
It’s not a question, and it hits uncomfortably close to the truth. “I just...I like what I’m doing now. It’s manageable. I’m not sure I want to deal with all the extra stress.”
“Or the extra success?”
“I’m not afraid of success.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” he quips, leaning in a little closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “You’re holding yourself back, Serena. You’re playing it safe.”
“And what’s so wrong with that?” I counter, my heart racing for reasons that have nothing to do with the conversation.
“Nothing, if you’re content with where you are.” He pauses and looks at me. “But I don’t think you are.”
His words hang in the air between us, charged with a tension that makes my pulse quicken. I can feel the intensity in his stare, the challenge he’s presenting.
And damn it, he’s not entirely wrong. There’s a part of me that’s been itching for something more, something bigger. But the other part...the part that’s scared of change, of stepping out of my comfort zone, holds me back.
“I’m content,” I say, but even I can hear the uncertainty in my voice.
He doesn’t push, but I can see the knowing look in his eyes. “If you ever decide you want more, you know where to find me.”
Are we talking about websites, advice, or more more?
Finally, I break eye contact, needing to put some distance between us before I lose my cool.
“Well, thanks for the unsolicited help, as always.”
“Anytime.”
I don’t know what to do with myself, so I busy my hands with a jar of freshly made peanut butter fudge sitting on the counter.
It’s a customer favorite, and I’ve caught Logan eyeing it more than once. Maybe it’s a peace offering, or maybe I just need to break this tension somehow.
“Here,” I say, thrusting the jar toward him. “I saw you looking at it. Consider it a thank-you.”
He takes the jar, his fingers brushing mine in a way that sends a jolt of electricity up my arm. “Thank you, Serena.”
I swallow hard, nodding because I don’t trust myself to speak. He’s still holding my gaze, his expression unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes, a heat, a promise, that makes my stomach flip.
He steps back, breaking the spell, and my lungs finally start working again.
“I should get going.”
“Yeah, me too,” I reply, my voice a little breathless.
“Are you headed home then?”
I nod, not making eye contact with him.
“I can have Dante drive you. Maybe we can catch dinner or something.”
“I…I’m not going to go to dinner with you when you ask five seconds prior,” I sigh. “Besides, I have to do my financials right now. Since I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay in this space, I really need to figure out what my exit strategy is.”
“The offer is still on the table to help with your books.”
“I hate math, and if we’re going to do this, I need wine.”
“I happen to have a bottle that needs opening at my house. Is everything you need here in the store.”
“It’s all on my laptop and…” I point to the dented cover with duct tape secured around the edges.
“Of course,” he frowns at the laptop. “Dante will drive us to my house, and he can take you home when we’re finished.”
I look him up and down carefully. I know he only wants to help, and I have a hard time accepting his knight-in-shining armor routine, but…all I can think about is him kissing me again.
“Let me grab the rest of my stuff and lock up.”
This might be trouble.