Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
SOCK IT TO HIM
CAMDEN
Well, I fucked that up royally.
I’ve always thought of myself as a calm, collected, clearheaded man. Unlike my brother Tully, who plays professional hockey, I’ve never gotten into a fist fight with anyone.
Actually, not true.
I did throw a punch at Mitch Williams when he and Juju made out in high school.
I haven’t thought about Mitch in years.
Fuck, what is my deal with Juju dating?
And I don’t want to think about the implications of it happening now.
Mitch was an asswad. He knew Juju was off-limits, and he went for her anyway.
When my sister texted earlier, asking about Bentley because Juju was going out with him, I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t react very well.
I saw red.
I wanted to hit a wall.
I nearly called Juju to ask her what the hell she was thinking.
I did none of those things, and yet, I still blew it.
Who is this unreasonable, fly-off-the-handle guy?
I don’t recognize myself. Don’t know this version of me. Don’t want to.
Bentley is a nice guy, maybe even great. I certainly haven’t seen anything that I didn’t like. Until tonight. He looked at Juju like he wanted to put her on a plate and devour her. On their first date! What a fucking animal.
I feel bad about overreacting to all of it. And that near-kiss in the hallway—God help me. I nearly crossed a line I swore I’d never cross. Again.
Why does she have this effect on me?
“When will it end?” I mutter to myself as I lace my boots the next morning.
When will I stop acting like a lunatic around her?
When will I stop wishing things were different between us?
When I went upstairs earlier to get coffee, Grandma Donna and Grandma Nancy were excited about Juju making stroopwafels this week. I swear, there’s no getting away from Juju Fair. But I need those stroopwafels desperately.
I remember the first time I saw her making them, how impressed I was with her skill.
Always had been. And she just got better all the time.
I was probably seventeen and she was fifteen when she started making the thin, round waffle cookies held together by caramel.
A Dutch delicacy that, once I tried, I craved them.
Juju stood at her kitchen counter with an old iron press, so focused and sure of herself.
I was supposed to be grabbing Gatorade for Jackson and me and rushing back outside, but instead, I stood staring at her.
Caramel oozed out of the sides when she sandwiched the cookies, then scraped it away with precision.
She was wearing leggings and a fitted tank, and both showed way too much of her body than I needed to be seeing. I wanted to simultaneously thank the heavens for this experience and to run over and cover her up so no one else could.
Yeah, the age-old dilemma where Juliana is concerned.
One I’ve been battling a long, long time.
Britney, my pastry chef at Elm & Echo, isn’t cutting it.
She’s messy and unfocused, and even her dinner rolls aren’t consistent.
She seems more interested in being in my way than in doing her job.
Her advances have gotten out of hand. Last night, she cornered me against the counter and said she’d dreamed about me the night before.
This afternoon I’m meeting with Sammi, a chef from Chicago who’s interviewing for the position.
I’ll be surprised if she has Juju’s expertise.
No one does.
The Kitty-Corner’s bell jingles when I walk in, and the smell of coffee, freshly baked bread, and sugar wraps around me.
There she is. Behind the counter, head tipped back, laughing at something Bentley just said.
For Christ’s sake.
The dude’s got his elbows on the counter like Juju has nothing better to do than listen to him yammer on about nothing. He’s leaning in close, and Juju’s cheeks are pink, her eyes sparkling as she laughs.
My stomach knots with that twist of jealousy. My temper spikes, but I bite down on the inside of my cheek. No scenes. Not here. Not ever again.
I walk to the counter and get a small bit of satisfaction in seeing Juju’s gaze tear away from Bentley as she stares up at me.
“I’ll take all the stroopwafels you’ve got.”
She blinks at me, stunned. “All of them?”
“Every last one.” My voice comes out clipped. “Box them up. Please.”
“Yes, sir.” Her lips tilt up on one side, and she turns before quickly stacking the golden rounds into a bakery box.
When they reach the very top, she grabs another box.
Bentley bumps my elbow. “Have I just discovered your weakness?”
I guess everyone can see the way I look at Juju.
His smile dims when I look at him.
“Your love for stroopwafels…” he adds.
I swallow. “Right. Yes. My grandmas do too, so I’ll be taking some home for them.”
“Oh, that’s funny. I think they’re still here.” He points behind me. “Right over there.”
My gaze flickers over to see Grandma Nancy and Grandma Donna at the corner table, closing their eyes in bliss as they take bites of their stroopwafels.
God Almighty. I can’t win.
Hector and Hal catch my attention when they walk out of the kitchen side by side. Hector is wearing a fedora with an apron and exudes class in every setting. Hal is wearing a bandana like a hat on his head of white hair. The level of his energy and confidence is apparent with every step.
I don’t think they even notice I’m here—their eyes are on my grandmas, of all people. My mouth drops when they saunter over there, Hal winking at Grandma Nancy, and Hector taking Grandma Donna’s hand and bowing over it.
“Donna, you look radiant today. That sweater brings out the color in your eyes.”
Grandma Donna’s cheeks flame, and she ducks her head. What the fuck?
“Thank you, Hector. That’s awfully nice of you to say.”
“How’s the Friendship Bench going?” he asks.
She looks up at him, excitement making her bolder. “I have my first appointments this afternoon!”
“Wonderful! You’ll have to let me know how it goes.”
She nods shyly. “I will.”
Meanwhile, Hal has taken a seat next to Grandma Nancy and has his elbow on the table, his face leaning into his hand, as he grins at her. I had no idea I was walking into The Golden Bachelor times two.
I stand there, fascinated, the whole scene so bizarre I nearly forget my own drama.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Nancy. If I’d known I was seeing you today, I would have cleaned up a bit more,” Hal says.
“There’s no cleaning you up, I’m afraid,” Grandma Nancy says. “An attitude like yours will always come to the surface…like an oily spot on silk.”
He puts his hand to his chest. “I’m so honored that you see me.”
A laugh bursts out of me, and all four look back to see who made the commotion. I step closer to their table.
“Um, hello. Good morning,” I say.
“Hello, dear!” Grandma Donna perks up. “We didn’t know we’d be seeing you here this morning.”
Hector tilts his head toward Bentley. “That guy’s been coming over constantly,” he mutters under his breath. “Can’t you give him more hours at the restaurant?”
I chuckle. “He’s already full-time, but yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”
Grandma Nancy pats the seat next to her. “Join us, Cammie.”
“Here you go, Cammie,” Juju calls.
I turn to look at the counter, where Juju is smirking. If you can smirk while also giving someone the stink eye. She slides the boxes across the counter and rattles off the total.
I pay and nod my thanks, certain I shouldn’t speak because I will most certainly blow it again.
I stop by my grandmas’ table again and grin. “I can’t stay, but it looks like you’re enjoying yourselves. Carry on.”
Grandma Nancy rolls her eyes in Hal’s direction but smiles at me, and Grandma Donna flushes.
“We won’t be long,” Grandma Donna says.
“I’ll put these stroopwafels in the kitchen so everyone can enjoy them,” I say as I lift the boxes.
Their eyes go wide, and Grandma Nancy flashes a knowing smile at me, which I ignore.
I turn to leave, with Hector asking if he can bring Grandma Donna tea.
“You deserve to be waited on,” he says.
“Oh, you don’t have to—” Grandma Donna says.
“I insist,” Hector says gallantly.
Hal says, “How ’bout we split a stroopwafel, Nancy? Lady and the Tramp style. You take one end, I take the other…”
“And I choke you with it? Tempting,” Grandma Nancy says, cutting him off.
The people around them laugh as they entertain the whole shop.
I wait until I’m outside to let out my bottled-up laugh and all the tension from seeing Juju.
Once I’m at the restaurant a little later, I call Jackson.
“Hey, man, it’s been a while,” he says.
“I know. It’s been crazy here. Sorry I’ve gone quiet.”
“No, I get it. You’ve got a lot going on. How’s the restaurant?”
I grin. “Great. I can’t believe how well, actually. I thought it might be a slow starter, but people are driving in from all over.”
“I love it.”
“How are things with you?”
“Can’t complain. I actually can’t talk long. I’ve got a woman here.”
“Oh, really? Why does that not surprise me?” I laugh. “Anyone I know?”
He chuckles. “I doubt it. I don’t even know her all that well.”
I swipe my hand over my face and shake my head. “I should’ve known. Hey, I can let you go.”
“Wait. I’m glad you called. I miss you, man.”
“I miss you too.” I nearly don’t say anything, but I can’t help myself. “Juju’s been seeing a guy who works for me—his name is Bentley.”
“Do we not like him?” He sounds gruff already, and inwardly, I feel bad for doing this to Juju. But it’s for her own good. And maybe mine a little.
“I like him fine, but I don’t know him well. He’s from Texas.”
He grumbles.
“Very polite,” I add.
“The worst ones are.”
“I tried to look out for her the other night. She was drinking, and I know she doesn’t know him well.”
“Dammit. She’s oblivious to what these jerks want. Watch out for her, okay? And I’ll talk to her.”
“No, I don’t want her to know I told you. I just—” I sigh at the ceiling. What did I want out of this? And why does it feel so wrong? “You know what, she’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
“She’s naive sometimes, though, you know she is. She believes the best in everyone. Except you,” he says, laughing. “I miss the days when you guys annoyed me with how close you were.”
“You do?” I freeze.
“Yeah. I was jealous when we were younger, but it beats you wanting to strangle each other.”
“Huh.” I could not be more surprised by this.
“Anyway. Promise you’ll watch out for her, even if you end up fighting with her in doing so.”
“Okay, yeah, I will.” I exhale. “Take care. And come to Windy Harbor soon. Your visit at Christmas wasn’t long enough.”
“Will do. Take care, man.”
Throughout the night while I’m working, I’m divided. I finally have permission from Jackson to be involved with Juju. But he has no idea of the ways I think about being involved with her.
If he knew, he’d be the one throwing punches.