Chapter 10 Sullivan
Sullivan
I’m on a ladder, changing out a light when the bells jingle overhead and Valerie Hamilton parades into The Boozy Bakery like she’s a celebrity expecting red carpet treatment five minutes before closing.
The woman has an air about her that insists she’s the most important person in any room she enters.
With the way Lila practically trips over her own two feet to greet her grandmother, I get the sense she’s used to catering to this behavior.
I hate seeing her this way. It’s the complete opposite of the Lila who was eagerly on her knees about to suck my cock into oblivion.
That version of her didn’t give two shits about her grandmother’s opinion.
“Grandma Val, hey. Are you here for a cupcake? We’re running low, but we still have several options—”
“Oh no. I filled up on Audrey’s chocolate raspberry cupcakes before I came over. Have you tried them? They’re absolutely delightful!”
My fists ball at my sides as I watch the color drain from Lila’s cheeks. I’d never hit a woman, even one as infuriating and passive-aggressively insulting as Valerie Hamilton. But I’m not above escorting her from the premises. The fucking audacity of this woman is mindboggling.
I wish Lila hadn’t sent Marley back to the bed and breakfast an hour ahead of closing. Her best friend would’ve her back right now, and there’d be nothing Valerie could do to her.
If I spoke up, however, she might inflict consequences on Lila out of spite for me.
“I’m just here to check on you,” Valerie says, her sweet tone offset by her smug smile.
Fuck. She knows.
I scan Lila’s expression, wondering if she’s figured it out yet.
I desperately try to catch her attention to warn her, but Lila doesn’t glance my way.
It’s as though she’s hoping Valerie won’t see me back here in the corner.
Something she probably wouldn’t have given a second thought to before I told her about the land feud.
“You sure you don’t want a couple cupcakes to go? I have a caramel bourbon cupcake that’s to die for. Oh, and the sangria cupcakes are so good! They’ve been getting rave reviews all day. I can box up some to go—”
“How did it get in?” she asks, lifting her gaze toward the ceiling no doubt in search of holes.
“What?”
“The raccoon? How did it get in?”
Lila’s expression falls instantly.
“He snuck in through a roof vent,” I answer, drawing Valerie’s attention to me for the first time.
Her gaze narrows the slightest in my direction, but I don’t let it affect me.
Refusing to allow her presence to disrupt my day, I continue switching out the light as if her arrival is nothing to get excited about. I can practically feel her irritation.
“Sullivan West. Surprised to see you here.”
“I am the landlord.”
She glances over her shoulder at Lila, then back at me. “Right.”
“The raccoon’s at the wildlife refuge still sleeping off his hangover last we heard,” Lila says. “We had everything cleaned up hours before we opened—”
“I hate to think that grubby creature was in here at all. Is it true that he ate his way through your desserts?”
“He found a few, yes,” Lila says. “But he passed out before he did too much damage. Really, we recovered pretty easily—”
“It would be a shame if this got out.” I can’t tell if her tone is a warning or a threat. Maybe it’s a little of both.
“We’ve kept it quiet,” Lila reassures her.
“Right.”
“Are you sure you don’t want any cupcakes to go before I close up?”
“I’m not surprised that vile creature got in. You are renting a building from a West.”
It takes every ounce of self control I have and few I don’t to bite my tongue.
“Lila, you might want to get a second opinion on that roof vent. Make sure it’s patched up properly.” Valerie glances back at me, her judging gaze turning my blood to boiling. She’s trying to rile me up, which is the only reason I keep my fucking mouth shut.
“The roof vent is fixed,” Lila says, sounding a little sturdier than before.
“Right. Well, I know you know better than to get mixed up with the wrong sort—it would certainly be bad for business—so I won’t point out the obvious. Just, don’t be like your mother, okay. You’re better than that.”
“Now just a fucking minute—”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Valerie hurries toward the door, pausing with it halfway open. “If you want a shot at my recipe, I know you won’t be late.”
I’m down the ladder before the door fully closes. I’m so fucking mad there’s no doubt steam coming out of my ears. I want to reach for Lila, but I also want to punch a hole in the wall. What the fuck is wrong with that woman?
“You thought I was exaggerating, didn’t you?” Lila says, her laugh weak. As though it’s the only thing holding back tears. She moves around the counter, flipping the open sign to closed. I watch as her shoulders lift and fall with her deep breath.
“She’s a fucking peach,” I deadpan.
Lila blows out a second breath before she turns around, facing me. The defeat in her earlier expression has transformed to something determined—and a little playful. “Want to help me forget all about the last ten minutes?”