The bells on the door jingle. Randy Cousivan, our manager, is working the register. He gives me the evil eye. “You’re late.”
I grunt and swoop right past him on my way to the locker room. I swear he lives to harass me. The locker room is small and always smells of strong perfume and some guy’s sweaty socks. I open the lock with my key and swing the door open. My deodorant and lipstick fall out and hit the wooden bench and then the floor.
“Fuck,” I mutter while picking them up. I have so many books shoved in the locker that I hardly have room for anything else. I’m back in school, culinary school, and enrolled in an intensive program that’s supposed to make me a professional in just eight months.
I snatch my apron off the hook. I put it on along with my name tag, roll on some red lipstick and deodorant, then check my face in the mirror. Jeez, I look haggard. Sleep has been a rare commodity as of late, and that fact is beginning to show.
“On with the show.” I center my name tag.
There are two consecutive knocks on the door, a pause, and then two more. That signals that the person is male.
“I’m decent,” I say.
The door opens, and in walks Randy. “I didn’t think you were going to be late every day when we discussed your plans for school.”
I slam my locker shut. “Neither did I.”
He sweeps past me and opens his locker. “Why should I continue supporting you when you’re constantly late?”
I jerk back. “Are you seriously asking me that?”
He cocks his head to the side.
“Well, you didn’t seem to have much of a problem with my tardiness after my muffins and tarts sold record numbers.” A few months back, one of the bakers left in the middle of his shift. I stayed late to finish it, only instead of following his recipes, I used my own. For the next three weeks, customers didn’t stop requesting them until finally Randy put his pride aside and asked for my recipe. Now, my pastries have been added to the menu permanently.
“Beginner’s luck,” he snaps.
I grunt, offended. “Are you fucking with me, or are you really that big of a jerk?”
Randy blows a hard breath and slams his locker shut. “Fuck it, Gina. Could you just stop being late from now on?”
I open my mouth, on the verge of unloading an arsenal of profanity.
“Because,” he continues, “I’ve shown you a lot of leniency, and the person who’s replacing me may not be as tolerant as I am.”
I flinch. “Replacing you?”
“Today’s my last day.”
Also By Z.L. Arkadie & T.R. Bertrand
Her Perfect Man Contemporary Romance Series
The Chef’s Passion
(With Gina Gilbert from The Professor’s Heart.)
The Boss’ Desire
The Artist’s Love
(With Liza “Sharp” Patrick from The Boss’ Desire.)
Contemporary Romance By Z.L. Arkadie
LOVE in the USA (The Lords)
Find Her, Keep Her - A Martha’s Vineyard Love Story, Book 1
There’s Something About Her, A Manhattan Love Story, Book 2
Say You Love Her, An LA Love Story, Book 3
Know Her, Love Her (Daisy & Belmont, #1), Book 4
Still In Love With Her (Maggie & Vince, #1), Book 5
Explore Her, More of Her (Daisy & Belmont, #2), Book 6
Made To Like Her (Maggie & Vince, #2), Book 7
He’s So Bad: A San Francisco Love Story, Book 8
Made To Love Her (Maggie & Vince, #3) Book 9
He’s So Good (Robert & Carter) Book 10
Say You Love Me (Charlie & Angel) Book 11
Adore Her, More of Her (Daisy & Belmont, #3) Book 12
LOVE in the USA (The Hesters)
Once Friends (Jay & Sonja, Book 1)
Now Lovers (Jay & Sonja, Book 2)
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE BY Z.L. ARKADIE
The Sterlings
Secrets & Chance, Book 1
Revelations, Book 2
Forever and Ever, Book 3
The Secret Keeper, Book 4
PARANORMAL ROMANCE BY Z.L. ARKADIE
Paranormal Romance written in Z.L. Arkadie’s emotional and raw style. This is far from your average vampire series.
The Parched Series
Parched Book 1
The Seventh Sister
Quenched Book 2
The Fifth Sister
Ignite (Includes “Light Speed”) Book 3
Vanquish, Book 4
Steal With A Kiss, Book 5
Forget Me Never (Pt. I) Book 6
Forget Me Never (Pt. 2) Book 7
About the Authors
Z.L. Arkadie & T.R. Bertrand are the authors of the Her Perfect Man Contemporary Romance Series.
Z.L. Arkadie is from Southern California and T.R. Bertrand is from Minnesota. You’ll find elements of each authors backgrounds in the stories. For other works by the authors please see the table of contents: “Also By Z.L. Arkadie & T.R. Bertrand.”
The Professor's Heart (Her Perfect Man Contemporary Romance) Page 15