by Nia Arthurs
“The woman I was with earlier is a friend of mine. If she’s interested in your bakery, it means it’s close to folding. She’s not the type to play a game she won’t win.”
Sky remained calm. “I’m not intimidated. Plenty of businesses have approached me and I’ve shot them down with no issues.”
Just then, the door opened and customers straggled in.
Jo straightened and shot Joon Gi a warning look. “Don’t do anything suspicious while I’m gone. And you”—she pointed to Sky—“don’t fall for any of his sob stories. I mean it.”
“I won’t.”
“I’m serious, Sky.” Jo narrowed her eyes.
Sky nodded and shooed her friend away. Turning to Joon Gi, she fluttered her hands. “Go on.”
“Look, the truth is …” He glanced aside and lowered his voice. “I need this job. Badly. In the past, I made some bad business decisions and got caught by the cops. I lost my business, my money, my family, and my fiancée.”
“Your fiancée?”
He nodded sadly. “She returned the ring while I was in lock up.”
Compassion welled in Sky’s chest. She knew what it was like to be dumped cruelly and wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy.
Lowering her lashes so he couldn’t see her internal struggle, she croaked, “That’s awful.”
“I’m trying to get back on my feet, but I need someone to take a chance on me first. The banks won’t approve me for a loan and my associates have distanced themselves because of all the media attention.” He nodded confidently. “I have a lot to offer. I can help you, Sky. If you choose to help me.”
Her defenses crumpled like a wave taking down a sandcastle.
So much for not falling for sob stories.
“Do you know anything about baking?”
“No.” He set his hands on the table. “But I can learn. Plus I can give you tips on marketing, book-keeping, and expansion. I ran several successful businesses before my… downfall.”
Sky whipped her hand out. “How soon can you start?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Jo returned just as the customers left. “What’s going on here?”
“I just got hired.” Joon Gi’s eyes glittered.
Sky had a flashback to this morning when Phillip took off with her money and got the inexplicable sense that she’d been manipulated.
Again.
No, this is different. This is a mutually beneficial exchange, right?
“Sky,” Jo shot through gritted teeth, “can I see you? In the kitchen?”
“Yeah, sure.” She pushed away from the table and followed Jo into the private room.
The moment the door swung behind them, her friend whirled around. “Really? I leave you for ten seconds and you let some random stranger into your money cupboard?”
“He needs a fresh start, Jo. You heard him. The guy was blackballed by every business in the city. No one wants to work with him. Not even his family. Was I just supposed to kick him out after hearing all that?”
“Yes! Yes you were!” Jo sounded utterly exasperated. “Don’t you think they have a reason for shunning him? Maybe because he’s a crook?”
“We should get to know him before we judge. He said he’s willing to work for free for a month. That can be his probationary period. If we don’t like him, he can take a hike.”
“Or maybe we shouldn’t get tangled up with men who bribe custom officers.”
“He seems sorry.”
Jo tapped her cheek and spat sarcastically, “Yeah, I bet he does.”
“I’ve made my decision.”
“I know you’ve got a big heart, Sky. I’ve seen it first hand, but this is insane.”
“Don’t you have work to get to?” Sky reached behind her and checked the phone that she’d left on the counter. “Your grandmother will kill you if you’re late.”
“How do you expect me to leave you alone with him?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“What if he’s a serial killer or something?” Jo nibbled on her bottom lip, her brown eyes growing more frantic with each hypothetical situation. “What if he’s a stalker who’s been waiting for an opportunity to have his way with you?”
“I don’t think Mr. Joon Gi is interested in me like that.”
“Why? Because you’re black?” Jo gestured to herself. “Hello, Asians mingle. Evidence is right here.”
Sky laughed. “You know I didn’t mean it that way. Would you just go? I’ll text you or Phillip if I’m uncomfortable.”
“Fine. I’m leaving. But don’t let him walk all over you. Remember, you’re the boss here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sky saluted.
Jo grabbed her backpack that was stashed beneath the counter and used the side-door exit.
Sky let out a relieved breath and grabbed her apron. She’d accepted Joon Gi on an impulse but now that the pity was wearing off, she had no idea what to do about him.
Might as well make the best of it.
After tying her apron behind her, Sky strode outside. Joon Gi was up and pacing around the café with his hands behind his back. His eyes swept back and forth as he inspected every inch of the place.
Doubts cropped in her head, watered by her own insecurities.
Had she given in too quickly?
What if he was just another businessman interested in buying her out?
She cleared her throat.
Joon Gi whirled around and strode toward her, a welcoming smile on his face. His presence put her at ease for some reason. He was cunning, but Sky sensed he was also good-hearted.
Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to approve given your track record.
“We can draft up a contract later,” Joon Gi said. “But first I’d like to check the state of your book-keeping—”
“Hold up.” She raised a hand.
Joon Gi raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not handing over anything yet.”
“What?” His brows lowered. “But I thought we’d come to an agreement?”
“The agreement was you get a second chance. I’ll decide when and if I’ll let you into the business part of Sweet Treats and I also decide if I’ll entertain any other offers.”
Joon Gi stared at her with wide, brown eyes.
Her smile slipped while she waited. Why was she so nervous to set her foot down? It was her business. She didn’t owe this man anything.
Don’t let him get to you.
“Fine.” His eyes dropped to her apron. “What do you want me to do first?”
“We’ll start with the easy stuff.”
“Okay.”
She made a slow perusal of his torso. “What are you wearing under there?”
“Excuse me?”
She chuckled. “You might need to change shirts. Things are about to get messy.”
“Why would they—?”
Sky pumped her thumb to the right. “You can start by wiping the counters and chairs.”
“Y-you want me to clean?”
“We’ve only got two people on staff and I’m the one who usually has to clean around here. Since you were so concerned about proving yourself, you can start there.”
His eyelashes fluttered. For a second, she wondered if he would reject her.
Deep down, Sky was almost hoping for it.
After dipping her toes into the ocean of Serendipitous-First-Meetings, she’d gotten a little wary of the water. People who popped up into her life offering something usually ducked out just as easily. It was best if Joon Gi made a smooth exit too.
The silence stretched.
Sky opened her mouth to dismiss him, but Joon Gi started unbuttoning his shirt. “You have a deal.
“Oh.” She blinked in surprise. “Follow me.”
He slipped his shirt off and set it on the chair. As they strolled, Sky tried not to ogle him, but her eyes gravitated to his broad shoulders and the tattoo riding along the inside of his arm.
Joon Gi leaned past her when they got to
the broom closet and his arm brushed against her side.
Sky’s heart bucked like she’d been shot.
What is wrong with me?
Unperturbed, Joon Gi grabbed a rag hanging from a hook with the tip of his fingers and turned to face her in the cramped doorway. She felt his warmth and every vibration his deep voice made when he asked, “Will this work?”
She nodded dumbly.
“Just tidy up the front?”
“Yeah. I’ll be in the kitchen if you have any problems.”
“I got this.” He smiled, causing his eyes to collapse into slits.
He’s so hot.
She swallowed.
Perturbed by the thought, Sky shuffled away and hid in the kitchen until her heartbeat returned to normal.
She was sampling too much of her goods lately. It was doing weird things to her.
Tomorrow, I’m going on a diet.
Chapter 4
Joon Gi swiped the last inch of the counter and set his hands on his hips in satisfaction. His father had taught him that no job in the company was ‘beneath’ them so the fact that Sky had him dusting the place didn’t faze him at all.
He couldn’t believe how things had turned in the space of a stuffed jack and a tense conversation with Hanna.
It hadn’t been his intention to work here. Like his ex pointed out, he didn’t know a jack thing about bakeries.
But that didn’t matter.
Joon Gi was looking for a job. And it had been difficult to get back on his feet after the scandal. The fact that Hanna wanted Sweet Treats and he had a prime opportunity to keep it from her was just a bonus.
His footsteps thudded against the ground as he headed to the kitchen. Sky was stirring something on the stove. He knocked on the door to get her attention.
“I’m done,” he said.
She turned her head and batted her thick eyelashes. Brown eyes, shaded with a hint of amber, skittered to the ceiling and then back to Joon Gi. A cloud of regret momentarily shimmered in her gaze before Sky blinked it away.
It was obvious she felt sorry for working him, but not to the extent that she’d trust him immediately.
Her caution took him by surprise.
Joon Gi couldn’t deny that he’d played Sky’s sympathy like a violin. She’d visibly responded to his personal story and he was willing to milk his misfortunes if it furthered his goal.
The way Sky had been frowning and wincing when he told her about going bankrupt and getting blackballed, he was sure he had this café in the bag. But then she’d set her boundaries and tested him instead of giving in.
He’d let his guard down, believing Sky would be easy to handle. Those brown eyes of hers were innocent, guileless. He’d been fooled by his own assumptions.
“What are you making there?” He sniffed the fragrant air. “Smells great.”
“Brownies. This is the sauce I’ll dribble on top.”
He cocked his head and waited for her to meet his gaze. When she did, Joon Gi nodded to the stove. “Need some help?”
“Do you know anything about chocolate sauces?”
“Apart from the fact that they’re delicious? Not really.”
Sky narrowed her eyes as if considering the depth of his competence and then jerked her chin toward the pot. “Take over here. All you have to do is move the spoon around every so often. It should be easy enough.”
“I think I can handle that.”
She smirked.
He smoothly exchanged places with her and intermittently stirred the pot while Sky poured brownie batter into pans and slid the trays into one of her two industrial style ovens. The kitchen was surprisingly up-to-date with stainless steel and heavy-duty appliances.
He got the impression she’d renovated recently.
Which explains why Hanna is circling like a vulture over a carcass. She’s probably backed up with loans because of all this.
“How many batches of brownies do you make daily?” he asked.
“About twelve. I’m generous with the slices though so each batch only makes about eight servings. Sometimes they sell well. Sometimes they don’t. I prefer being sold out than having tons of leftovers.”
He nodded. Selling out by the end of the day was the goal. “Your friend Joana only helps you in the mornings?”
“She works at her grandmother’s grocery store, but she takes an hour out of every morning to run the front.” Sky bent over to check the temperature of the oven, giving him an eyeful of her curvy rear. He shot his gaze upward until she straightened. “Most of my customers are school children and adults who work during the day so it only gets busy after three and five in the evenings. That’s plenty of time to make everything I need.”
“So who watches the counter while you’re back here?”
“I normally hear the bell and head outside to check.”
“I see.”
Sky quirked her generous brown lips. “Doesn’t sound like you approve.”
“Whether that’s a safe strategy or not is a conversation for another day. You’ve got a trickle of customers between nine in the morning and three in the afternoon. There’s got to be a better way to lure more people in here for lunch.”
“That would require more hands than I have, I’m afraid.” Sky shot out her arms. “After the breakfast rush, there’s no way I can clean up and regroup for eleven o’clock unless I clone myself.”
“I’ll think of something.”
Sky propped her hip against the counter that was sprinkled with powder and studied him. “Yeah, I bet you will.”
If her blatant perusal was an intimidation tactic, it wasn’t working.
Growing up in Belize gave him thick skin. As an Asian amidst a population largely dominated by black and Spanish people, Joon Gi was always on the receiving end of probing what-the-hell-is-this-Asian-guy-doing-here looks.
Instead of wallowing in the box the world had given him, he took pride in his culture and in shirking the status quo.
Yeah, he played damn good basketball and aced his math tests.
Yeah, he dated tons of girls—of all colors.
He loved hip-hop, soca, dancehall and R&B music.
Joon had never been a ‘typical Asian’—whatever that was—and he had no plans to be.
But even if he wasn’t intimidated, Sky’s probing gaze left him feeling a little exposed. What were the stereotypes she’d heard and what did she expect based on those ideals?
He’d never been this curious about someone’s opinion before, so the instinct caught him by surprise.
“What?” he asked when he was tired of her silent gaze.
“That tattoo.” She gestured to the line of block letters in Hanguel down the inside of his forearm.
He quickly pinned the arm to his side. Joon Gi had ripped off his shirt earlier and worked in his vest.
Where did I put that shirt?
Sky had taken it somewhere. He glanced around and spotted the turquoise material hanging over a chair near the stove. Joon Gi pulled it over his head and fluidly matched up the rest of the buttons. “It’s nothing. Just a name.”
“Someone close? A lover maybe?” An eyebrow hopped as if she were intentionally goading him.
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