Page 13 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“You better. This could be the end of both of our careers.”

We hang up, and I go about my day, not sure what to make of this conversation…

The bell chimesas I close the shop for the evening, the comforting vanilla scent of my store lingering in the air. The weight of the day's stress starts to lift as I lock the door behind me. I tuck the keys into my bag and turn to leave when I see a man approaching. He’s wearing a dark suit and a long coat. His expression is unreadable as he walks up to me with a sealed envelope.

"Serena Mitchell?" he asks.

"Yes, that's me."

He hands me the envelope and walks away without another word. My heart sinks as I tear it open.

An eviction notice?Now I’m being served.

Shit.

My hands tremble as I read the words, each one a nail in the coffin of my dreams. My shop, my livelihood, my passion—being taken away just like that. I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back. I can't lose it here. Not now.

I pull out my phone to call Emily, needing her calm and logical mind to help me make sense of this. As I’m about to dial, I notice a familiar figure pacing outside the building next door, phone pressed to his ear.

Logan Pierce.

This is all his fault.

Is this retaliation for slapping him across the face?

Or was I such a horrible kisser that he thought I needed to be evicted?

I quietly walk closer, not intending to eavesdrop, but his voice carries.

"I don't know the first thing about planning a four-year-old's birthday party! Why is this on me, Deirdre?"

I can see the tension in his shoulders as he runs a hand through his hair. He spots me, his eyes narrowing. He quickly ends his call, shoving his phone into his pocket. I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders and lifting my head high. This is my chance.

"Mr. Pierce," I call out, stepping towards him with as much confidence as I can muster.

“Can I help you?”

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. It sounds like you're having a bit of trouble," I smile.

His eyebrows raise slightly. "And how is that any of your concern?"

I swallow hard. "Because I have a proposition for you. I'll help you plan that birthday party if you help me overturn the eviction notice for my store."

Logan stares at me, his expression unreadable. The seconds tick by, each one feeling like an eternity. I can see the wheels turning as he weighs his options and considers my offer. My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for his response.

“Why on earth would I let some stranger help plan my niece’s birthday party?”

“I own a candy store,” I reply quickly. “And I double as an event planner, too.”

“I’m not interested.”

“Mr. Pierce, I’m pretty certain that you’re the reason I just received an eviction notice without the opportunity to fight or make any changes. This business is my livelihood, my lifeblood, if you will. Much like your company, I built it from the ground up. How would you feel if someone squashed all of your dreams because you spilled coffee on them?”

“You think that this is all because of coffee?”

“Isn’t it?”

“No,” he laughs as he rolls his eyes. “It goes way beyond that.”

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